I Am...A Drummer?

Tuesday night I did something I've never done. I recorded drums for a rock song. All sorts of euphemisms come to mind here: uncharted territory, unfamiliar waters, marching to the beat of...wait, not that one.

It was definitely a novel experience in the true meaning of the phrase. I've played drums, sure - but I've never played an entire song through. I've never played drums knowing I was being recorded; a whole different kind of pressure. And I've certainly never played drums to a click track before! Ask any drummer who's done it (any drummer who's recorded, pretty much), it ain't easy. Sort of distracting, actually.

The name of the song is "I Am", and it will be my debut release as an independent solo artist. Because of that - and because the song is about introducing the new me to the world - I decided all the writing, all the arranging, and all the musical performance should be done by me. I'll edit, mix, and master the track myself, too.

Because who "I Am" is constantly changing. Look at me now. "I Am" a drummer!

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T-95 Is Wasted Space on the Radio Dial

I hate T-95, a.k.a. KICT 95.1FM out of Wichita, KS. This is nothing new. I have consistently loathed the station since their main local competition Fly 92.7 went off the air almost 4 years ago.  They weren't my favorite station before then, but with zero competition to force them to play current rock artists' songs - well, they pretty much just stopped.

I am not exaggerating when I tell you I have been unable to listen to T-95 without hearing Led Zepplin within 2 songs after turning to the frequency!  If it's not what's playing when the dial is turned, it's the very next song.  Again, I'm seriously not exaggerating.  I wish I were.

Is the problem Led Zepplin?  No.  I've never been a big fan as they're a little before my time, but the problem is that the incessant airplay of Led Zepplin is symptomatic of the core of my issue with this excuse for a rock station; they only play old crap all the time!  It's not just Zep, it's AC/CD, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Mountain, fucking Skynnard, etc.  The entire playlist for the station is almost as old as I am!

I want NEW rock!  And back before the Fly went off the air, you would hear new rock on T-95.  In any "rock" block, you could count on hearing something by the likes of Seether, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, even System of a Down.

So why issue my epithet today?  What's the hook?  How is today different than any other day that T-95 is playing old crap I don't want to hear, 50% of which is apparently Led Zepplin?

Last night I went to a concert at the Cotillion.  I haven't been to one in a while and I was really amped because I freaking LOVE Chevelle and I've never seen them.  Didn't mind seeing Papa Roach, either, although I'm decidedly less of a fan of them.

Between the opening band and Chevelle, two T-95 DJs came out to promote other events the station is apparently sponsoring, like a concert out at Lake Afton where bands like Drowning Pool will be playing. 

2 beefs here.  First of all, T-95 doesn't play Drowning Pool!  You can't turn to T-95 and think you're EVER going to hear Drowning Pool or anyone who would ever be on the same bill as that band!  But T-95 is going to sponsor the show?  FUCK THEM!  They don't deserve to be connected with Drowning Pool in any way, shape, or form.

Secondly, one of the DJs promoting the event was Hank the Mechanic.  Now, I don't know about his ability as a mechanic - but he sure has a lot of "tool" going on.  Aside from having the most annoying laugh on the Wichita airwaves, he totally hosed my wife and I.  He's an ordained minister who verbally agreed to officiate our wedding then went MIA as the date approached.  Wouldn't answer my calls, never responded to the several voice mails and emails I sent.  We ended up scrambling for someone else to officiate and the wedding went off with nary a hitch, but Dear Henry will always remain one of the biggest bastardos I've ever had the misfortune to meet.

And he works for T-95.

So there you have it.  Lame-ass classic rock station posing as a REAL rock station, and the only TOOL you're gonna get when you listen is Hank the Mechanic.  Their license should be revoked and the frequency should be gifted to the people who are running FLY92WICHITA.COM!  I would listen to Fly 95.

I hate T-95.

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The "Return" of the Fly

I'm pretty darn pleased about the return of FLY92 here in Wichita. To be fair, it still totally sucks that they're not on the airwaves, but my car's antenna isn't hooked up to my receiver anyway so whatev!

The fact I can listen to it online, and at terrific sound quality for an internet radio station, is all I need. Once I have new tunage recorded I totally plan to ply the station for airplay.

If you dig new rock and have a taste for the local Wichita flavor as well, check out FLY92WICHITA.COM!

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Ticking Away the Moments...

Not that anyone but A-Ron is following this blog (yet), but I wanted to let you ALL know that I'm less than a week away from going into the studio to start tracking "I Am", my debut song as a solo artist. Every last part will be played by me. Obviously not simultaneously.

After I get it recorded, mixed and posted I'll start working on more tracks. My intention is to bring in local musician friends for cameos, and maybe even use the lovely invention called the internet to have friends in other locales drop tracks. I wonder if I can do an international version?

Note to self: Start making friends with Swedes or something.

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Where To Find My Music Online

I wasn't always a solo artist, ya know.  If you're curious about my roots, you should check out the following Facebook pages.  Once you're there, do me a favor and hit that Like button!

My work as the lead guitarist for D'Ranged.

Vocals, songwriting, and guitar with TAINTED / Sons of One.

Enjoy!

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