Shmoo

I was born in the 'Summer of Love' and was early-on influenced by the music of the 60's and 70's. I began playing guitar with my buddies at Jellico Elementary School and have been in various rock bands ever since. I served 4 years in the US Army and was a member of the 2nd ID's Soldier's Show. I have worked as a technician and on-air disc jockey in broadcast radio (WEKC/WEKX) and have also done video production for cable television. I attended the Art Institute of Atlanta for a degree in Music and Entertainment Business Mangagement with an audio/video concentration. Subsequently, I have worked for live-sound companies and at Dollywood, USA. For many years I served as the chief administrator of the Boycott-RIAA website and have spent much effort (and gained grey many hairs) trying to get the word out about the evils of big media and their monopolistic dominance of our music landscape. My main instrument is the guitar, but I also make noise on bass, keys, omnichord, and electronic drums and synth programs. I don't claim to be much of a vocalist, but I am able to carry a tune. Together, my brother Ross and I founded Electric Gypsy and we include my gal Andrea in that entity whenever we can. (When she has half a mind to do so, THAT girl can SANG!) Currently, I live in Chattanooga, Tn. and I can be found in the area both performing and supporting local and independent music!

(Oh, I also dabble in the creation of table-top roleplaying games. See: electricgypsy.info/rpg!)

31 Aug 2010

In my last post, I mentioned that I will be self-producing an album. I have decided to call it 'Tired of Waiting' (since, I truely am!) I intend to first release it on CD-r, but whenever I can beg, borrow, or swindle the funds, I'll definately have vinyl records manufactured. (A lifelong dream of mine is to put out an LP of my music! And, damnit! I deserve it!) At the moment, I have access to computers. I will edit using Audacity. I have FruityLoops synth software, but I'm looking to buy some electronic drum-pad triggers so I can lay down beats. I need to get ahold of a bass guitar and perhaps an acoustic guitar or two. (But of course, I have my '74 Les Paul for most of the guitar work.) I've got amps and speakers and effects processors as well as a high-end Neumann stage mic already. I plan to use my Korg D888 for both recording and to provide backing tracks at live gigs. I'm going to start from scratch on all the tracks. I've got to get the drum-pad triggers and the software/module to go with it ASAP so I can begin!

30 Aug 2010

Today, I have decided to begin a "solo-career". Why? Because due to financial constraints and distance, my band Electric Gypsy doesn't get together often enough anymore to satisfy my burning desire to perform and record. (No. I'm not "quitting" them or anything of the sort. Electric Gypsy will probably continue to exist as an entity in one form or another for as long my brother Ross and I are both alive.) What I plan to do is to throw together an album's worth of stuff completely performed, recorded, mixed, and mastered all on my own. Also, I'll slap together a few covers and make sure I have plenty of ready-made backing-tracks to accompany my guitar and voice. I figure I am good enough to perform solo at open-mics and whatnot with about an hour's worth of material. (But I doubt I could pull off any more than 2 hours!) Wish me luck! I'll try this for a while and see how it goes. It will take a couple months to prepare all the tracks. (I've still got some gear I need to obtain to properly do this.) But I will keep you updated every step of the way. Stay tuned! But most of all, wish me luck!