I got the

I got the "been singing outta a crappy 100watt guitar amp, and the guitars overpower it" Blues - but NOT for long...
yup. Just had to blog this, 'cause as Tucson's Poorest Musician, I've been climbin' the walls for over 5 months as the realities of equipment that is lacking has confronted us.

NO more broken BASS Head, and settlin' for a 120watt combo bass amp.

AND No more " I can't hear your vocals through that SHITTY, pussy-assed amp, 'cause the guitars are too loud".

This weekend I finally got approval and hopely the follow through from my wife to treat Artfest Music & Conversation Suicide like a business. And treat it RIGHT.

We're gettin' a new (probably Berenger) Bass Head
and A POWER AMp with a board & speakers for a PA

Should improve the sound of those rare gatherings LIVE, where NO other band or the CLUB itself actually had a PA. -EXCITED & Anticipating better sound at practice

> phlegm

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srm

7/15/2008 5:34:53 AM

Good to hear that you're expanding your PA equipment. I think you're going to like it. I'm looking forward to hearing the results.

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Hugh Hamilton

7/15/2008 6:00:18 AM

Good luck with the new gear, Phlegm, and congrats...
:)
H

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Conversation Suicide

7/15/2008 2:09:11 PM

Thanks y'all for responding to this old post! And the NEW gear couldn't have come at a more important time, as we get this signin' to ROMULUS X Records thing finalized & try to promote a CD with them and such. So what did you think of that Sinister Mustard, Hugh? -phlegm

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Hugh Hamilton

7/16/2008 9:18:34 AM

I've been trying to catch up on the Porter series of conversations, Phlegm...lol...after I've caught up I'll check out your condiment-loving friends...
;)
H

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SILVERWOODSTUDIO

7/16/2008 5:49:00 PM

Reverb on the PA?

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7/17/2008 1:00:21 AM

well, yeah... of course there'll be reverb and such. Probably some other cool FX too.

The PA is just for LIVE stuff. Whenever I've recorded, (except for the LIVE occasionally) there's always reverb -- so ahh... what're you meanin?

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7/17/2008 1:40:48 AM

Hey Phlegm, good to hear. Congratulations, it's exciting to get new gear. Always in pursuit of the sweet spot, ey? ~If only we could all afford a sound engineer as a band member, or for that matter... if only we could all afford band members !

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7/17/2008 2:05:30 AM ---- Updated 7/17/2008 2:11:18 AM

Amen to both of those Anjuli!
Band members are VERY hard to come by in this town, musicians are a flakey & often picky lot. AND far too many wanna just do covers of songs that have PLENTY of airtime and were performed just fine by the original artist. TUCSON is really bad about this- original music usually gets little or NO pay at club gigs. This makes it very unattractive to a talented guitarist or drummer to even consider doing an original project. The luck I've had with addict or substance abuse types of musicians or just plain flakey, has resulted in often PAYING one of those cover-band lovers to step in for a gig just because of my crazy desire to perform my stuff OUT & the nutsy belief that "the show must go on".
Of course, even crappy COVER Bands doin' their uninteresting, yet VERY similar to the actual artist's original recording, version of a given song can make anywhere from $200-400 a nite. S'pretty crazy when the club could just put on the jukebox and get a better version of said song(s).
I know I digress here, but I think the ONLY time a cover makes sense is when you're just startin' out, or to expand your horizons to learn the craft, OR when you've become something of an artist with your own sound so that you can add new flavor & teach and old dog new tricks ... urr... and such.

Good point about the SOUND Engineer! I'm always a little jealous of the bands I've played with who've got a person who actually cares about their sound, and goes to ALL their gigs to ensure the best mix of instruments & vocals possible. I figure for now that'll only happen for me in the recording studio, and the occasional live gig where the random sound person actually tries to give you the best sound.

BUT OH, to have the money to pay for the best band members & sound people available in your town or where you're touring!

Why am I tellin' you all this, in this LONG bloggityblog-blah-blah? Ur... 'cause you seem VERY cool, and I was hopin' in your poetic and humourous way, you'd let me know that there are NO problems like this in the UK! Yeah, right.
-phlegm

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7/17/2008 3:01:10 AM ---- Updated 7/17/2008 3:41:41 AM

Yeah `Phlegm, it be the same here, however; there is more of an appreciation for original material going on in the venues and more intimate a setting. I've noticed that folks tend to really listen here, and will tend to just quiet when the music begins to play, or perhaps it's just more polite to do so lol.

If I can make note of the differences between America and UK... it would be the listening audience, and promoters that actually promote unsigned/original acts. This is due to venues lessening the time for most performing artists whereas in America one single act might be expected to perform 3 45 minute sets for an evening. More songwriting talent gets showcased here, but still has it's usual pitfalls to contend with such as dj's and cover bands a plenty. I agree with you in the fact that unless you have a new perspective to bring to an already established cover song that is already quite brilliant in it's original performance, than why bother, and especially in the recorded arena... but then again, many songwriters are just writing the same cover tunes over and over again as well. There are many costumes to wear along the way to finding ones true face, or voice, if you will... many actors, not enough roles to play... most want to read from the same scr_pt, the most cherished and popular, of course... and would that be Shakespeare, or Bach, or the Beatles, or those amazing guitar heroes, or the genius songwriters of Motown ? etc...etc...etc... and so forth ? I dunno... but there are many ways to get to the same place I suppose, that being ones heart. It's hard to discern that for anyone else but ourselves really... so my take on things is to just leave people to do what they want to do and go out and do what you gotta do. In the end, what else do you have to lose ? Seems that's what you be doing. And, of course, not everyone that plays an instrument is a songwriter, many of them learned to play because they wanted to play the songs they love. That is what inspires them and how they are able to experience a part and portion of the magic. Either way, it makes the world a better and more healed place... even if new songwriters/original material takes a back seat at times. But I gather your material will cut through Phlegm as you seem to be quite diligent in your noise making pursuits, and more power to you. Ambition and drive is 9/10's of the law, after all. But if your goal is in fact to make it in the music industry you will have to make some compromises, there is no way around that. Flexibility is key, and the ability to get up and go, but still, who can really say what shape that will take, especially those that haven't accomplished the task themselves, like me, for instance. I guess one has to learn what compromises to make and what not playing any game in life... and that is a personal choice really. Whatever choices you make, I hope they bring you and your family to your greatest joy.

I suddenly have a craving for melted cheese.

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7/17/2008 3:14:38 AM ---- Updated 7/17/2008 3:21:42 AM

Well golly jeepers Anjuli that was the NICEST & yet quite REAL blog comment I've gotten in awhile! THANK you for your WISDOM & good will.

I certainly wish not ONLY a great dish with some melted cheese for you, but continued happiness as you pursue your muse and continue please to ignore fuckers like that archtype of a boyfriend you alluded to-i.e. - those who diss your art for no good reason! -phlegm

-p.s. if ya read this one in time got some humour you might enjoy on choosy susie's blog

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7/17/2008 3:25:48 AM ---- Updated 7/17/2008 3:27:12 AM

ha ha yeah, wisdom ? I give you wisdom, but it'll cost you your dreams... hee, I'm just stating the obvious as usual Phlegm, yet again ...

And, that whole boyfriend thing was just a sad play for sympathy, and I don't plan to get buggered any time soon. lol At least not unless I get a pony or something... I'm flexible if the treats are right. I gotta have treats though...

Thanks for the kind words Phlegm, and many happy returns

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