Re: Potential appearance on FHF
greg wrote:
Kev, My favorite of the tracks you posted was "Leeches" ,was all that crazy tear-it-up lead playing you? I can't understand why it only got 50 plays in one whole year. But some of my vids don't get much action either. Is that the kind of thing you'll be showing people on FHF?
Greg,
The first lead is mine. The man tearing it up is named Thel. He left the band abruptly after these recordings, and the drummer and I continue as a 2-piece. I am currently ripping his solo parts on my own. The drummer is from my primary band, BUZZARD. We have been active since 1989... a very well-known band in these parts, and in places like Baltimore, Philly, etc.
That piece, like all the other pieces from that session, is unfinished. It was awaiting overdubs and retakes. I posted it "as is" because it cannot be worked on any further without destroying it and reassembling it. It sounds very bare to me. But thank you for listening.
For no reason at all, here is an old video of Thel, playing with a band we used to tour with a lot in the early 90's, a mix of hardcore and proto-mathrock:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61l_XPnYFdQ[/youtube]
False Sacrament, Breadwinner, Sliang Laos, Buzzard, Confessor, all bands from my day. Lots of tours, lots of shows, floored Don Caballero, floored lots of bands. Since you do not know my history, you don't know that I have little interest in posting solo videos to youtube as a 10 year-old would. I am very much a composer in a band context. I do not "pursue music" in the way others do, because the things I seek from music are unconventional and there is no future and no money to be had in doing so. I routinely make 1k in 4 hours on one market every single Saturday. Just that one market, forget about Whole Foods, forget the other markets. Why would I devote time to "pursuing music" as a career? Watching other folks play covers, whether it's Bach or jazz standards or pop tunes, is great. I am entertained by it. I just don't have it in me. That some people make money from doing it is fantastic, I am all for it. I am not made valid by my ability to play lots of forgettable gigs.
I am not currently gigging, although I am rehearsing twice a week toward that end, and daily on my own, of course. When BUZZARD plays, the shows are sold out. It's an event. Ask anyone in Norfolk, my wife will roll her eyes having to retell the tales. The lines are wrapped around the building.
I am not a conventional musician. I have played out plenty. At this point, I am focusing on writing and recording. My brother is an engineer who lives in Richmond... the best engineer in Richmond, my opinion. He suffers from Parkinson's. Perhaps he has a couple years left before he goes on disability and he is unable/disallowed to make money. We are trying to create a memorable album of incredible, rich, complex and unique music. I don't share much before it is ready, and never have. My music, especially my current music, takes quite a bit of time to develop, especially considering it is composed for an ensemble.
If I decided to play Bach tunes, Bouree, etc, on my Warr, it would be a matter of a month or two before I could organize a show, and away I would go. I am not that sort of musician, although I have great respect for those that play that stuff. I loved your Pork Pie Hat. Killer.
We are very different musicians, Greg. This is what I have to offer. I come from a very different space than most stick players.
greg wrote:
Gene, K Rex was invited for a slot on Free Hands Friday. While I'm sure some people have reservations based on his interaction with people on this forum, and there may be more deserving players out there who are actively pursuing music, I see no reason why he shouldn't be given the opportunity, and he's clearly of a mind that the chance is being denied him. I'd like to prove him wrong. People are clearly interest in his music, as indicated by the many thread views and comments on his music thread in the Showcase. He's clearly got some chops, and the Warr Guitar is based on Free Hands too, so why not?
Kev, don't just threaten to show up. Don't let us down. Don't toy with us. Don't back pedal. Make it so. I'm curious to see what you're doing, as are many others. And since you're not gigging out these days, it's the only chance we'll get (it seems).
Again, I am not threatening anything. Gene asked me, and Gene very clearly just told us he has a full schedule. I am not on the radar. It's OK. I am comfortable in my space, knowing my abilities and knowing that incredible music is being made, though you don't see it. It doesn't bother me that you don't see it.
I have no ability and no desire to "make it so." I don't make the schedule. Gene just explained how booked the show is. I will not interfere. I will only point out there is some bizarre opposition to my appearance, which you still have not addressed. At this point, I don't care if you address it. I am fucking tired and sad.
I will do a show when it works out. I don't know when that will be. Gene is busy. People lobby against me, it's a fact. I am not a priority. Again, it's OK.
Ending this day now. Wish you well.
Kev