Musician’s Notebook

Hey … pretty soon, you be able pretend to be your favorite local band when you play the popular interactive vid, Rock Band!

Harmonix is planning to add tools for bands and game developers to turn their songs into tracks for the game, according to Billboard Magazine.
At first, game tracks built by outside developers will only be available to Xbox 360 users, but the company wants to add these tools so they can be used by all consoles.

Now, tracks that are developed by other parties won’t be available through the actual ‘Rock Band’ store, but they’ll be put up for sale in other areas (I’m sure they’ll tell you where you can find ‘em!).

It’ll give local bands the chance to have a piece of the game pie while it’ll give Harmonix a way to build and expand both its platform and catalog without having to invest any extra time and effort into actually developing the tracks themselves.

Bottom line?  Inventiveness, initiative and inclusion … and who knows?  It could mean one serious upward thrust by local acts that are really wanting to get ahead in this world of rock …

Stay tuned … I’ll bring more on this story as it develops …

This one’s gonna be a bit short due to the time-sensitivity of it.

The best thing I can tell ya is to follow this link: the Rock Report, and see why we’re askin’ prayers and healing thoughts to go out for Billy “Faron” Ruffley tomorrow morning.

The man is a legend in and around Liverpool, having worked with two of the greatest non-Invasion bands in England! First, his Faron’s Flamingos, then the famous Big Three.

Again, just asking yer prayers during the 11 AM operation tomorrow (that’s GMT. Here, it’d be 6 AM EST).
So click on that link to the Rock Report, say a quick prayer on Faron’s behalf … and thanks …

First of all: remember when I introduced you to the fab new UK band who’s really makin’ headlines around the music world? Many of you have already become fans of THE FORE — but now they’re in the running to become the best independent artist of 2009!
And you can vote for them! Just click this link and read how to do it!
Then, scroll down til you see the band (The Fore) and click! You’ll be given a chance to hear the music and vote (and, for you who haven’t done it yet, we hope you’ll become a fan!). That’s all there is to it! I’ll be repeating this in another post soon, btw … so be sure to tell yer friends …

Y’know, over the past few years, it’s looked as if rock has lost itself in noisier rhythm, heavy riffs and drum fills; it’s shouted, screamed, broke tempo, synthed itself and, largely, has become a bizarre emo imitation-rock. As records gave way to CDs, amps and PAs began surrendering to synthesizers and computerized loops, and “gigs” were “performed” by way of YouTubes and MySpaces, it would seem that true rock had been all but forgotten …

UNTIL …

Here it is, 2009.  In music stores, we’re starting to find turntables again … on televised talent showcases, we find more acts who’ve just put out a new 33 1/3 RPM record instead of CD …

in studios, more bands are pluggin’ into PAs and amps rather than a computer …

written, hard-copy pubs are coming back, highlighting the return of rock rather than teched-out, overlooped stuff!

Rolling Stone and USA Today have both articled that today’s teen would rather hear the Sixties-style music than the metal, alt, synth, etc.

THE FORE’s popularity is spreading like wildfire! Their music is not only raw, original rock in the vein of their FOREfathers, but they’ve paid their dues in much the same way as the Beatles and other acts of the period! The biggest similarity, though, is that these lads have come up in the same way; gigging wherever they can (whether on High Street in London, The Cavern in Liverpool or in front of thousands at festivals or other shows), and actually absorbing the same energy that the earlier bands had! And they’re getting the attention of A&R reps for large record labels now!

What I’m saying is that the best of rock-n-roll is returning to mainstream big time!! And, just as the original rock soothed the worries and sadness after November 22, 1963, this time it’s soothing the same for a world needing relief from war worries, recessions, violence, etc.

And I’ve got a feelin’ that, this time, it’s gonna stay in the FOREfront of music for a lonnnnnnng, lonnnnnnng time to come!!

Y’know, in the world of rock-n-roll … in fact, in the music world itself … there seems to be a lack of the one thing that can turn people on, get endorphins rushin’, and make life a little easier to bear.
It’s called humor.
Now, there’s no doubt that Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention had it. Their tongue-in-cheek music was a cult hit, though some of their songs were considered to “risque” in one form or another to be considered “Top 40″ material.

But there were those who could get their humor onto the radio, and with great results: From the Trashmen’s Surfin’ Bird (which, incidentally, was about a dance, but became a popular voiceunder for some of the craziest bits on television) to the most humorous songwriter of the Sixties, Roger Miller, at one point in time humor was popular.

Miller always seemed to be smiling while singing his signature hits like Dang Me, Chug-A-Lug, England Swings, You Can’t Roller Skate (in a Buffalo Herd) – even more pensive songs like One Dyin’ and A Buryin’ and Husbands and Wives. The man was one of the most likeable guys off-camera as well, and he’s sorely missed.

Another performer not only set the stage for some megafunny hits but also developed sort of a “prototype” for rap! Ray Stevens, of Ahab the Arab fame, could belt out some hilarious stuff (including Gidget the Midget, Along Came Jones and The Streak) as well as some amazing story songs like Have A Little Talk With Myself (which was covered by Sammy Davis. Jr.) and, of course, Everything Is Beautiful.
But when it came to rhyme, meter and phrasing — all in spoken-word verses — nothing could beat 1969’s Gitarzan. If you listen to rap and hip-hop today, you’ll hear exactly the same meter, the same timing … but Ray did it years before! Of course, today’s laughlord is “Weird” Al Yankovic, whose parodies of the hits-of-the-day have gone platinum!

Now, there’s one other, if you can find it (it’s on the soundtrack of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure). Primus (with legendary bassist Les Claypool) did a song that’d come right out of a radical comic strip or cartoon. It’s called Tommy the Cat, and, when you visualize the graphics, it’s totally cool! Anyway … in this day and age, we really need a few laughs … even in our music! It’s just a matter of time before someone steps up to the plate and decides to hit with one …

Well, that’s it for this edition. Until next time, remember: Keep your eyes on the skies, your feet on the ground, don’t walk into any telephone poles, though, keep your heart with the music … and I’ll see ya on the flip side!

It’s one of the hottest radio stations on the Internet!
Express FM 93.7 is a mix of everything that’s right in the radio business!

Not only do they have some dynamite shows (I’ll get to one in particular in a moment), but they do great work for youth around the UK and the world!
Causes like their Amplify Show (sponsored by the National Youth Agency) give kids a voice. As it says on their web page:
“If you are aged between 13 & 19 then get in touch with Express FM for the opportunity to get people talking about…..whatever you want!”
And their vinvolved project (sponsored by vinspired.com) helps “to inspire, recruit and deliver hundreds of volunteer opportunities within radio for 16 – 25 year olds over the next 3 years.”

But they also rock! The famous Geoff and Andy Show (now including DJ legend Gary Jackson [see pic]) has interviewed greats like Genesis, The Drifters, Snow Patrol and Andy Fairweather Low.

Their banter, superb interview skills — and the music — all make for a dynamite show (hey … recommend these guys to a station in your area! It’ll really give a boost to their ratings!).
Recently, I had the pleasure of arranging an interview with the band that I’m proud to promote here in the states, England’s wildly popular Mersey/Hamburg-style rockers, The Fore. From top to bottom, this interview was fantastic — and fans tuned in from across the planet!

Now, I wouldn’t be fair to talk about it without givin’ you the chance to hear it, would I?? So just click here to download or listen!

So, whenever you’re lookin’ for good radio, I’m sure you can find it somewhere on the web.
But if you’re lookin’ for great radio, just click the Express FM 97 link, click on “What’s On”, then hit their “On-Air” button (to the right, top of main page).
Your ears are gonna be thrilled …

Just learned about Ozzy Osbourne’s dog — and, being a pooch-owner myself, I really feel for the guy.

Y’see, the Black Sabbath front man is in shock after finding out that his favorite bowwow, Little Bit, was eaten by a coyote!

His daughter Kelly was the one who broke the news that the pet had been taken out by the (mostly) Western dog/wolf.

She said her dad was heartbroken.

On Twitter, she said: “:( My dad’s dog Little Bit was eaten by a coyete (sic) last night in LA and he is devastated. She was his other women (sic)!”

Ozzy and wife Sharon rescued Little Bit when she (the dog) was a puppy.  She soon captured the hearts of all the Osbournes. She was saved from a puppy ranch following an investigation on National Geographic’s The Dog Whisperer (the one with Cesar Milan) and an animal welfare organization here in the states.

Earlier this year, Ozzy said that he and Sharon had eighteen dogs. He said: “We get them from the pound now. When I get home it’s like I’ve got four new dogs.”

And Sharon added: “Word’s got out in Los Angeles: ‘Anybody (who) finds a stray dog, call the Osbournes, they’ll take the dog.’”

There’s no animal that’s more likely to truly capture your heart than a dog (unless it’s a cat.  I’ve got both, and haveta be fair … especially when there’s a hungry 20-pound Bombay sittin’ on my desk, watching every word I type!).  So, to Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly and Jack (and no matter how strange you might think this sounds. Pet owners will understand …), my condolences …

Remember The Eagles’ 1990s reunion tour, Hell Freezes Over, which was given that name to recognize their spite for each other?
Well, it apparently hasn’t yet …

On a recent gig in Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, the band showed that, while it’s still got the musical tightness and vocal blend that made it famous, the members themselves are as distant as L.A. is to Liverpool.

They changed guitars often … perhaps as a way to keep from looking at each other … and performed songs from their Long Road Out Of Eden album with the warmth and life of a piece of cardboard.

Fortunately, the band still has Joe Walsh, who seemed to be the only one really interested in the gig and its audience!
He used the slide guitar to embellish In the City, soloing with an energy the rest of the band apparently has forgotten.

Two songs later, he tore up the stage to Life’s Been Good, his 1978 reggae-influenced musical satire. The fans finally got into the groove, rocking and laughing to Joe’s humorous take on life as a “star” (he always cuts up a bit when he does the tune).
Then he broke into the boogie-woogie rhythm of the James Gang’s Funk #49 (he had been with that band prior to his stint with The Eagles), and, for a moment, the band’s mood seemed to change!

But, overall, it was business as usual for the foursome: Glenn Frey could be a bit charming but had a knack to suddenly drift into the background. You couldn’t hear Timothy Schmidt’s bass, and Don Henley just seemed more like a robot.

Their biggest hits, including Hotel California, Life in the Fast Lane and, of course, Take It Easy – were pretty much “by-the-book” but didn’t have the spark they once did. But when Walsh took to his set, it woke the crowd up and got a great response.

Bottom line: Joe still remembers how to rock … and play to the fans at the same time. He truly seems to enjoy it!

Would that the rest of the band could pick up on that.

You’ve noticed that, with every post, I always try to include a pic or two here in the Notebook. It sorta gives the blog a little more color, and you’ll know what I’m gonna be jawjackin’ about.

But, sometimes, those pics can be so humongous that I have to re-size ‘em to fit the post size.
Awww, I know you may have the same problem … and that’s why I wanna share this free app with ya. Y’see, you can avoid the hassle by downloading a little gadget called Irfanview!

Here’s how it works: Whenever I haveta send band pics to a station or A&R, and they’re too large to send by email (rule of thumb: The larger the pic you send, the more memory it uses on the recipient’s computer. Sometimes, it keeps the pic from downloading), I’ll re-size them by using this little wonder!

So I pull up the pic using Irfanview (when ya first use it, go to “Options” then “File Associations” and click the normal formats [.jpg, .gif, .bmp, .png] to be sure the files open with the app).
Then, I’ll click on “Image”, followed by “Resize/Resample”. Here, ya wanna be sure your “preserve aspect ratio” box is checked. If it is, then type in your width for a comfortable “200″ or “300″; the “height” box will automatically re-size that part for you!

After that, just click “File” and “Save” as you normally would, and it’s ready to send!
BTW, I used the Irfanview app to resize this promo pic of the famous UK indie band, THE FORE. It was originally 425×283.

So I’d really recommend gettin’ this for your PC now! Then go ahead and take all the pics you want …
Of course, there are many more things you can do with this free app, like enhancing colors, changing the pic to black-and-white and even more!

Okay … normally I’d be jawjackin’ about the latest happenings or doohickies in rock music, right?

But, y’know, sometimes yer PC just doesn’t wanna behave when you’re doin’ the Last Writes (meaning, finally posting your finished copy)! It becomes so S*L*O*W* that you can only hope it’ll be published sometime before Barack Obama leaves office …

There’s good news though, campers! I’ve found a little app that’ll clean your computer and get rid of all the junk you’ve got layin’ around yer C: drive.
Best of all: It’s free!

It’s called “CCleaner” (short [honestly!] for Crap Cleaner!) and, when ya run it, you’ll be able to clean your files, registry and manage your startups (those applications that start when your computer does).

And it does it all with 100% efficiency!

Now, the best way to run it is to close all your browsers first (whether IE, Firefox, Opera or one yer mama made for you at Christmas). That way, you can get maximum cleaning!

Before ya know it, your PC/laptop/whatever will be running a lot more smoothly!
CCleaner™ is a product of Piriform, Ltd.® and is available by download from this site.

It’s high-school reunion time throughout America and, wherever you’re having yours, you know the routine:

It usually starts with an advance notice, which then builds curiosity. Then, as the day comes closer and closer, we sorta back away from it a bit because someone … somewhere in that crowd of formerly-familiar faces … might be “better” or “richer” or “better-looking” than us.  And (heaven forbid!) what … what if we ran into our old high-school sweetheart??  You know … the one who “got away” from us and married and is so in love with her new, fancy hubby?

Then, as the day draws to within shoutin’ distance, we start to feel a bit of panic … “butterflies” set in as we start our drive to the club/wherever-it’s-held.
Hey … go on in and enjoy, though — and remember:  this wing-ding only happens once every ten years!  If you’re skittish, just dig the good times and “bow out” at yer leisure …

But there’s another reunion that’s goin’ on … and this one oughtta be a doozy (okay … old word, I know, but oughtta be used at least once-in-awhile, right?).

Imagine bein’ behind the Pearly Gates right now and hearing an ageless Jimi Hendrix on lead, John Lennon on rhythm, Billy Powell on piano, Keith Moon on drums,  Sky Saxon on bass and Michael Jackson singing!  And that’s just one of the many bands at this continuing, ageless jam session!

On others, you’ll have Bobby Hatfield singing harmony, Ronnie Van Zandt or Stevie Ray Vaughan playin’ lead or rhythm, Mike Smith on piano, Mitch Mitchell drumming … or “Bonzo” Bonham, Otis Redding, James Brown or Jim Morrison singing, or even Roy Orbison … or Elvis … or, for the feminine touch, Janis Joplin. Sometimes, Buddy Holly will sit in …

And, still, there are others …

Reunions … while we look at ‘em down here with a bit of envy and (yes) even a little dread, look at what we’ve got to look forward to on the other side of the spectrum!!

Still … for your tenth, twentieth or fiftieth HS reunion, I say GO!! It’s a once-in-a-decade gig … and who knows?  By the time the next one rolls around, some of the ones you see this time might already be enjoying the Big Jam Session in the Sky!!

Count yer blessings, yardbirds … and have a great time!! And always be thankful for the legacy we rockers have been left with …