It's been a nice little break from my hectic blogging schedule. Time to get back on the pony.
I spent several days on the East coast last week. Ate lots of amazing food, and saw a huge vehicle get blasted into space. Cool, man. That post will be next, for now all I've got is the slightly different route I ran this morning....just starting from Presse, instead of my house. I know, more groundbreaking behavior.
I must run now, so as to get to Jupiter for the LAST MIXING DAY of the record. Yeah! Martin is going to remix Sharpen Up Those Fangs, because we added horns to it the other day. That's a whole nother post, also coming soon.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Now that's more like it!
aaahhhhhhhhhhhh..................
What a morning! Classic Seattle! Solid grey, drizzly, maybe 50 degrees.....ahhhhh.....I love mornings lke this for two reasons.
The first reason I love mornings like this is that there are lots and lots of mornings like this, and if you happen to be born and raised here, there is an inkling of comfort to them. It's subtle, and in fact some folks don't even know they're feeling it, but I am convinced it is widespread amongst natives. Just a little voice going "wheew.....finally that ickey HOT WEATHER is over with. Back to flannel sheets and gore tex pajamas! Back to NORMAL."
(when I was a kid I came across my dad's Bill Cosby comedy records, the ones he made in the 60's. There is a bit about Seattle where he has a protagonist screaming 'what is that flaming orb in the sky!? It's drying out my sinuses!' classic stuff.)
Now, I dont want to sound like a grump about summer. I love summer. And not only is Seattle one of the most beautiful places in the world during summer, I spend a fair amount of time screaming as much to skeptical folks all over the world, who envision monsoons and muddy streets filled with flopping, suffocating salmon. I just always have this nagging sense that I don't quite deserve that amazing 81 degree beach day or boat jaunt or golf outing or whatever. We all feel like it's an anomaly, a mistake by Jeff Renner, anchorman....of course seems to be changing. What with climate change, and drowning polar bears and such, based on this last summer we may be desert-like in a few years. But for NOW, I think our intuition is correct....any sunny day is just not the way things really are here.
And if you don't like it, you can move back to LA. They are called seasons. There are four of them. Look into it.
whew.
The second reason I love mornings like this is that mornings like this are ideal for running. I took the weekend off, because my legs were feeling dead, so naturally I felt strong like bull this morning. I started what I thought was going to be a standard 6 or 7 miler from Gasworks, only to have the sucker reach epic proportions on me. I felt like a million bucks at the end, stretching at the top of the big hill there, and tried a couple of Victorious Hunter-style pictures with my camera's self-timer...
The first one's pretty good. The wind blew the phone off of its' little tuft of grass right before snapping the second one. I just wanted you all to see that I tried.
by the way....there were about a hundred candle nubs up on there on the tiles by my feet there, left by some pagans, or picts, or druids or whatever. PICK UP YOUR SHIT WHEN YOU ARE DONE, OR I WILL TELL JESUS!
What a morning! Classic Seattle! Solid grey, drizzly, maybe 50 degrees.....ahhhhh.....I love mornings lke this for two reasons.
The first reason I love mornings like this is that there are lots and lots of mornings like this, and if you happen to be born and raised here, there is an inkling of comfort to them. It's subtle, and in fact some folks don't even know they're feeling it, but I am convinced it is widespread amongst natives. Just a little voice going "wheew.....finally that ickey HOT WEATHER is over with. Back to flannel sheets and gore tex pajamas! Back to NORMAL."
(when I was a kid I came across my dad's Bill Cosby comedy records, the ones he made in the 60's. There is a bit about Seattle where he has a protagonist screaming 'what is that flaming orb in the sky!? It's drying out my sinuses!' classic stuff.)
Now, I dont want to sound like a grump about summer. I love summer. And not only is Seattle one of the most beautiful places in the world during summer, I spend a fair amount of time screaming as much to skeptical folks all over the world, who envision monsoons and muddy streets filled with flopping, suffocating salmon. I just always have this nagging sense that I don't quite deserve that amazing 81 degree beach day or boat jaunt or golf outing or whatever. We all feel like it's an anomaly, a mistake by Jeff Renner, anchorman....of course seems to be changing. What with climate change, and drowning polar bears and such, based on this last summer we may be desert-like in a few years. But for NOW, I think our intuition is correct....any sunny day is just not the way things really are here.
And if you don't like it, you can move back to LA. They are called seasons. There are four of them. Look into it.
whew.
The second reason I love mornings like this is that mornings like this are ideal for running. I took the weekend off, because my legs were feeling dead, so naturally I felt strong like bull this morning. I started what I thought was going to be a standard 6 or 7 miler from Gasworks, only to have the sucker reach epic proportions on me. I felt like a million bucks at the end, stretching at the top of the big hill there, and tried a couple of Victorious Hunter-style pictures with my camera's self-timer...
The first one's pretty good. The wind blew the phone off of its' little tuft of grass right before snapping the second one. I just wanted you all to see that I tried.
by the way....there were about a hundred candle nubs up on there on the tiles by my feet there, left by some pagans, or picts, or druids or whatever. PICK UP YOUR SHIT WHEN YOU ARE DONE, OR I WILL TELL JESUS!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
press (done at Presse!)
Here's an email interview I just finished for the digital music seller Amiestreet. Thrilling reading.
Amiestreet interview version 1.0
So this is somewhat scripted but feel free to play with it. I'd love to make this a bit more organic but I wanted to make sure we cover some of the points and silliness below! Either way thank you for taking the time out to give us some words. God bless America.
I'm all about points and sillyness. And America!
So what's new for the Presidents? You guys obviously have more laurels to rest on than most but after breaking up and then getting back together again in 2004 there's obviously a purpose.
Well, we'd been working pretty steady since our Last album Love Everybody came out in late 2004. So, we had specific plans to take 2007 off as much as possible. I don't know whether any laurels were involved, but we did indeed manage to get through the last 10 months only playing a couple of shows. Yay us. It's nice to have some time to re-stoke the fires of inspiration! Extra important because next year will see us unleashing the New Album we've been working on all summer.
I know we're putting up 2 albums including the ridiculously popular multi-platinum self titled debut but isn't there something interesting about that first album other than just how much it sold (ownership is now back in the hands of band?)
Yeah, we got the masters back from Columbia in 2003 or so. I don't know if that's interesting though. Interesting would be something like the fact that one night at the Fillmore in SF many years ago, Sammy Hagar told me I had a LIFETIME INVITATION to CABO WABO. Awesome! Less awesome but also interesting: at the next table was Mere Winningham, of St. Elmo's Fire fame.
But yes, we do own the record.
So when fans buy the music on amiestreet they're supporting you directly like many of the artists on the site?
Sure, in the sense that the only 'label' that is a middleman in this case is PUSA MUSIC. I use the quotes because PUSA MUSIC consists of our manager and a phone line (that's why we're doing our New Album with a real label).
Awesome, that makes the consumer impulse I'm having right now to buy every single one of the songs so much more wholesome. So I understand that during the hiatus many an interesting side project was started, including something involving.... sir mix-a-lot?
buy! buy!
You are referring to SUBSET, which was the three of us with Mr. A-Lot, and another rapper named Outtasite. We did maybe a dozen gigs around the Northwest, ad a quickie trip down the West Coast some years ago. Super fun! Mix is an amazing performer, Chris really enjoyed being able to share lead vocal duties, and play funky funky bass. Unfortunately our brief attempt at getting the 'magic' on tape (tape being a quaint substance people used to preserve sounds onto) didn't get finished before it ended. I'm told there songs out there on the internet from the sessions. A determined hunter should be able to find and 'share' them.
When and where can I see the Mix-a-lot colab performed live. Seriously, tell me now.
Every time I see Mix there is loose talk about doing another gig. For now though, your best bet is Time Machine. Check any bookstore, under "H G Wells".
Have you guys had even two seconds to get away from being crazy rockstars that jump around alot to look at amiestreet? Is it not perfect in its austere majesty? Do you relish the challenge of having to climb the price ladder just like everyone else here does?
Dude, rock star is 2 words. Don't you know anything? Actually I think 'a lot' is too.
And oh my god I am obsessed with climbing the price ladder....even though I'm not sure what that means.
And for my final three questions a jarring challenge for each member of the band that lacks any semblance of continuity... Please list:
1. First song an amiestreet member unfamiliar with your catalog should check out (we'll actually link the songs you mention when the interview is on the frontpage)
Highway Forever (Love Everybody)......is a country bumpkin burner that we still play live a lot, sometimes with invisible harmonica!
2. An item that you bring on tour to make the road more bearable
Sleep mask, with a backup sleep mask in case you lose your sleep mask.
3. Something people aren't paying attention to but need to....
The little yard-y area on my back deck is getting really messy and weedy. Who's supposed to be paying attention to that?
Amiestreet interview version 1.0
So this is somewhat scripted but feel free to play with it. I'd love to make this a bit more organic but I wanted to make sure we cover some of the points and silliness below! Either way thank you for taking the time out to give us some words. God bless America.
I'm all about points and sillyness. And America!
So what's new for the Presidents? You guys obviously have more laurels to rest on than most but after breaking up and then getting back together again in 2004 there's obviously a purpose.
Well, we'd been working pretty steady since our Last album Love Everybody came out in late 2004. So, we had specific plans to take 2007 off as much as possible. I don't know whether any laurels were involved, but we did indeed manage to get through the last 10 months only playing a couple of shows. Yay us. It's nice to have some time to re-stoke the fires of inspiration! Extra important because next year will see us unleashing the New Album we've been working on all summer.
I know we're putting up 2 albums including the ridiculously popular multi-platinum self titled debut but isn't there something interesting about that first album other than just how much it sold (ownership is now back in the hands of band?)
Yeah, we got the masters back from Columbia in 2003 or so. I don't know if that's interesting though. Interesting would be something like the fact that one night at the Fillmore in SF many years ago, Sammy Hagar told me I had a LIFETIME INVITATION to CABO WABO. Awesome! Less awesome but also interesting: at the next table was Mere Winningham, of St. Elmo's Fire fame.
But yes, we do own the record.
So when fans buy the music on amiestreet they're supporting you directly like many of the artists on the site?
Sure, in the sense that the only 'label' that is a middleman in this case is PUSA MUSIC. I use the quotes because PUSA MUSIC consists of our manager and a phone line (that's why we're doing our New Album with a real label).
Awesome, that makes the consumer impulse I'm having right now to buy every single one of the songs so much more wholesome. So I understand that during the hiatus many an interesting side project was started, including something involving.... sir mix-a-lot?
buy! buy!
You are referring to SUBSET, which was the three of us with Mr. A-Lot, and another rapper named Outtasite. We did maybe a dozen gigs around the Northwest, ad a quickie trip down the West Coast some years ago. Super fun! Mix is an amazing performer, Chris really enjoyed being able to share lead vocal duties, and play funky funky bass. Unfortunately our brief attempt at getting the 'magic' on tape (tape being a quaint substance people used to preserve sounds onto) didn't get finished before it ended. I'm told there songs out there on the internet from the sessions. A determined hunter should be able to find and 'share' them.
When and where can I see the Mix-a-lot colab performed live. Seriously, tell me now.
Every time I see Mix there is loose talk about doing another gig. For now though, your best bet is Time Machine. Check any bookstore, under "H G Wells".
Have you guys had even two seconds to get away from being crazy rockstars that jump around alot to look at amiestreet? Is it not perfect in its austere majesty? Do you relish the challenge of having to climb the price ladder just like everyone else here does?
Dude, rock star is 2 words. Don't you know anything? Actually I think 'a lot' is too.
And oh my god I am obsessed with climbing the price ladder....even though I'm not sure what that means.
And for my final three questions a jarring challenge for each member of the band that lacks any semblance of continuity... Please list:
1. First song an amiestreet member unfamiliar with your catalog should check out (we'll actually link the songs you mention when the interview is on the frontpage)
Highway Forever (Love Everybody)......is a country bumpkin burner that we still play live a lot, sometimes with invisible harmonica!
2. An item that you bring on tour to make the road more bearable
Sleep mask, with a backup sleep mask in case you lose your sleep mask.
3. Something people aren't paying attention to but need to....
The little yard-y area on my back deck is getting really messy and weedy. Who's supposed to be paying attention to that?
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Jimi Action
What's so special about this picture of the Kaiser multi-tasking?Nothing at all.
In fact I wouldn't share it with you except for the fact that the person he is talking to is in fact Mitch fucking Mitchell. That's right, that Mitch fucking Mitchell.
The Kaiser is going to be tour managing some Experience Hendrix Tribute Concerts later this month, so he'll be rubbing elbows with a lot of Classic Rockers. Hopefully he will take lots of pictures, and tell us all about it.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
this post is missing music
One of the great things about running is the meditative state that is so accessible so quickly. 10 minutes in, and I can start to observe things from a distance; the rest of my day, phone calls that need to get done, my novel, etc...so much can get accomplished during that time every morning.
I should say, so much could get accomplished if I wasn't always ass-deep in gadgetry on runs. I have an irrational fear of being stuck an hour away from home/car/campsite with no tunes, or other aural diversions. So I usually go out with TWO devices. My trusty ipod in it's trusty sport skin is clipped on at the waist, and right next to it sits an am/fm radio as back-up, or for any NPR or sports content I might need. Overkill? Definitely. And that's not including the heart rate monitor that rounds out the geekfest....
Not a big shuffle fan. Fuck, I'm running around with hundreds of my favorite records, there's always an oldie, or a recent add to get listened to. This morning though, I thought I'd see where the randomizer muse led me.
and it led me straight to this man.
Andre Nickatina. What a freak. What a genius...
Someone for god's sake help me upload an mp3! Frick! Stef! Muzz!
well shoot...the record I have is called Cocaine Raps, Vol. II......the thing that makes this so cool is that there does not appear to be a Cocaine Raps, Vol. I.
Now, I don't listen to very much hip hop these days, but there was a time when I kept pretty abreast of things. A.N. reminds me very much of Del Tha Funky Homo Sapien, except maybe meaner...Lots of slightly of-kilter orchestral samples and p-funk bass lines...and he rhymes like you would expect the crazy guy roasting chestnuts over a garbage can fire to.
Seriously....I need to know how to put music on here.....I refuse to finish this without embedding a song in this bitch!
I should say, so much could get accomplished if I wasn't always ass-deep in gadgetry on runs. I have an irrational fear of being stuck an hour away from home/car/campsite with no tunes, or other aural diversions. So I usually go out with TWO devices. My trusty ipod in it's trusty sport skin is clipped on at the waist, and right next to it sits an am/fm radio as back-up, or for any NPR or sports content I might need. Overkill? Definitely. And that's not including the heart rate monitor that rounds out the geekfest....
Not a big shuffle fan. Fuck, I'm running around with hundreds of my favorite records, there's always an oldie, or a recent add to get listened to. This morning though, I thought I'd see where the randomizer muse led me.
and it led me straight to this man.
Andre Nickatina. What a freak. What a genius...
Someone for god's sake help me upload an mp3! Frick! Stef! Muzz!
well shoot...the record I have is called Cocaine Raps, Vol. II......the thing that makes this so cool is that there does not appear to be a Cocaine Raps, Vol. I.
Now, I don't listen to very much hip hop these days, but there was a time when I kept pretty abreast of things. A.N. reminds me very much of Del Tha Funky Homo Sapien, except maybe meaner...Lots of slightly of-kilter orchestral samples and p-funk bass lines...and he rhymes like you would expect the crazy guy roasting chestnuts over a garbage can fire to.
Seriously....I need to know how to put music on here.....I refuse to finish this without embedding a song in this bitch!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Bellingham hurt us
On Saturday the squad trooped 88 miles North to picturesque Bellingham, Washington, neighbor to Canada. And home to a really big college. Our goal: Concert performance at really big college.
There was an amazing wooden statue in the corner of the dressing room. Chris was sure the model was a relative of mine. After some side by side comparisons I was forced to agree, although how he was able to keep his shoulders that square for the whole sitting is beyond me.
I don't know why this picture won't load upright....I am not going to let it ruin my day, it'll just be sideways until my tech dept. can get things shipshape.
Anyways, I took a bunch of pictures, and had STEF Rider video the show, so maybe that will make an appearance....but I missed the main documentation opportunity of the evening right after the set, when both Chris and Andrew cam back bleeding profusely from their respective left shins. I guess there was a protuberance on some weird part of the barricade, and when the fellows jumped out into the crowd at the end, POW. Chris actually had a hole in his leg, and eventually went to the ER for some stitches. The Kaiser elected to self medicate, and I got to help him, at an old favorite of ours, the RANCH ROOM (not the Royal Room which is a little tiny dive-y club we played our first B'ham gig ever at)......I got a snapshot of some of the medication here...
Check out the totally gangsta-style c-note....I would like to add that neither one of us likes Jagermeister at all normally...not sure who's fault this round was, for sure one of our B'ham friends...possibly Kaiser's buddy GONZO who I kept calling GOMEZ for some reason.In any case, it's clear to me I need to develop better camera instincts.....because Chris's wound was SPECTACULAR....
NEWS FLASH! Chris just came over for a meeting here at my pplace, and has volunteered to pose for a post-stitches photo-op.
Not as incredible as when the blood was spurting, Monty Python-style, but you get the idea.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)