Rock On!

We came, We saw, We rocked their socks off!
Ears bleeding from the intense level of volume, the crowd cringed with pleasure, and spontaneously combusted into a pyroclastic flow of dancing, gyrating, wildness. “More, more” they cried when we ended our set. “I want to have your baby!” I heard over and over again.
Guitar Gods, you are great. I channeled you through the Hybrid Slinkies that adorn my Les Paul, succumbed to the urge to crank it up to eleven, and shattered windows in 3 neighborhoods with your help.
OK. Take a step back there, big fella. It was good, but not THAT good.
I can honestly say that we received many compliments on our playing and singing. Neighbors did indeed say they were hanging out in their yards so they could listen to us play. I heard the words “polished” and “tight” used in conversation.
So I say, “Success!” I’m glad I picked up the guitar again. We have a good location to practice in. Our sound is firming up.
Classic Rock is what we do, although we have vowed to not learn any more songs from the 60’s. Here’s a sample of our song list.
Learning to Fly - Foo Fighters
Machine Head - Bush
I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home – Grand Funk
Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats
Born on the Bayou - Credence Clearwater Revival
Behind Blue Eyes – The Who
Jumpin' Jack Flash – Rolling Stones
LA Woman – The Doors
I know, except for the first two, pretty old. But we like it, and it’s a good place to start.
Hey, if you don’t like my music, I know you’ll like my painting. Executive Painting and Texture, Santa Clarita’s best painters. Check us out at www.executivepainting.net
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Jam On!

The Band with No Name is having one of its last 3 practices today. Next Saturday we debut at Pete’s July 4th Party. If you didn’t get the invitation from Pete, I can’t really help you, but rest assured, I will miss your presence! When I fire the Les Paul up and crank the Music Man hybrid amp up to “11”, I want people’s ears to bleed with pleasure. (Not mine, I’ll be wearing ear plugs to retain what little is left of my hearing. I envision my bust alongside that of Ludwig Van’s in some future comparison of deaf musical prodigies!) Pity if you miss out.
But rest assured, You Tube versions of our “talent” will be forthcoming. And maybe, with a little luck, we’ll break into the bar circuit with a vengeance, playing gigs every Friday and Saturday night from San Diego to Lake Tahoe. We’ll be like the Med Fly phenomena of the 1980’s, infecting the boondocks and backwater towns of our great state with a hype rarely experienced in a human’s short existence.
How does one go from garage band to Bar Band? And is it ultimately worth the trouble? I have to admit, when my guitar playing is good, it is a thing of raw beauty. To me, it is like watching somebody else on stage. But I decided long ago that in music, it’s not how well you play or what you know, it’s who you know, and how many hours, days, and weeks can you keep your sanity riding around in a tour bus, opening shows for Rat Dog, or Seether.
And I can’t really pursue a musical performance career at this stage of life. After all, I’m an old man - I just celebrated the 19th anniversary of my 30th birthday. Yet something in me loves to wake up the “guitar player” and put him on display.
I’m really sorry if you can’t be there to watch. But I’ll tell you how it goes!

In case anyone cares, Executive Painting and Texture is my company. We are Santa Clarita’s most educated painters, and when we paint your house, we promise not to kick your cat or leave additional children at your home. We’ll just paint it and make it look really nice. You’ll want to show all of your friends and brag about the guitar-playing-astronomer painter that made your family room a work of art. Please visit our website at www.executivepainting.net
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