I didn't make it out thanks to our zombie video taking longer than expected and having to give my under-21 brother a ride back home in the east mountains. So how'd it go? Post pics!!

Saturday, July 19 2008

6:30pm- After a few bowls and some TV after work, I headed up to Santa Fe to see Raven Chacon at CCA for a rare solo set by this new mexican madman. After getting on the interstate in my new car, I got aquainted with some CDs I've been meaning to listen to but haven't had the time. On the way up it was Man Man.
7:50- After taking my time getting to SF, I pulled in to the CCA. I'd never been before, so it is good to know where the SF indie theatre is. Waiting around for Raven' set had me looking at art on the walls, reading flyers, and trying to have conversation with people I didn't know.
8:20- Raven's set started. There were some elements of his show that were similar to the AGL CD release party, but only for the first 15 minutes. At about that time, I noticed an orange glow from one of the speakers. Then it got brighter. Then it started smoking. Then the room filled with electrical fire smoke. The rest of the set had some amazing moments, despite the headache I was getting from the toxic fumes, and instead of trying to describe the instruments and sounds, I'll just leave it at saying you have to see it to understand. As soon as the set ended I left to make it to the U7D release.
9:15- Getting aquainted with some Can under a nearly full moon. Nice.
10:20 or so- Smith's to get some beer. Ran into a lady with a Ween shirt. We talked about how awesome the Denver shows were that she was at. 12 Schlitz.
10:45- Wanting to drink, but not wanting to drive, I slammed a few beers and got on my bike and took off towards downtown. I wore a hoodie so I could carry a few beers in the hood. Drinking and biking... don't do it, kids!
11:something- Got inside and saw some of the Volume Volume set. Much better with the new line-up, and on the last song Levi's voice sounded better than I've ever heard it- powerful, gruff- me likey. After this point things started to blend together. Oktober People played, I talked to several people, and managed to get into the green room (it really is green! well... greenish). I was promised cocaine off of dead hookers, but they had apparently been removed by the time I made it up there. More conversation at the bar, more drinks, I got pushed by someone, then the was smoke and red lights, and U7D started. The first bit was some noise that built up and exploded into their first song. They played a few new ones, a few old ones and, at the risk of sounding too kind, were in top form. The new songs were hard to discern some of the nuance, so I'm wanting to hear the tunes on the album, then see how the live treatments go. There is always a bit of something extra in their live performance, a bit beyond the album versions. Energy? Volume? Not sure, but it was there. The end of the set had them smashing their gear, full-on with Tony falling and sound-guy scrambling to get to the mics before they got caught-up in the melee.
almost 2am- biked back home. took a new route. got lost. sweated much more than my usual trip home.

Thanks to U7D, Raven and all of those that gave me things for free (you know who you are).

It was great. I'm still tired.

I've never heard monitors that clear and straight on any stage I have ever played. The new sound and lights are crazy good. Almost too good! I didn't lose my voice or have to push - I actually got to do something rather than just make it through on singing. It was so shockingly right, so unexpected, it actually threw me off. I've gotten used to forcing a blowout and kind of using that manic energy, but this was butter. The individual monitors have such specific control and separation, we didn't even take advantage of it the way we could have because it took so long to sink in. You can get exactly what you want, what it ACTUALLY SOUNDS LIKE. It's also loud as hell without being painful or muddy. In fact, we have a newer song that uses feedback, and I couldn't even make the ugly happen - muddy is so typical of the stages around here that it's part of our sound, and I'm gonna have to ugly up to make it happen now. I'm looking forward to the future, or at least until some part-time sound guy or band of assholes breaks something. The new lights are hot as an oven. It felt like a blowdrier on the back of my neck.

The other bands were epic, of course, I'm just so hyped that place is back and better than ever. It's still a bit distracing. Also, I got drunk. Did Newman actually have to go to the hospital?

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Nobody:
have a newer song that uses feedback, and I couldn't even make the ugly happen - muddy is

i recall you facing the amp for awhile there and i thought maybe you were taking your pills.

also, you need to work on the banter for the guitar changes ;-)

I wish!

The guitar change was unplanned. Broken string. We were planning to not talk at all actually! Hence the lamer-than-usual-lame banter. but I've been thinking about these kind of things, technical difficulty things, and meaning to write something that the rest could play if one person goes down. Probably should get on that.

aw yes. damn guitar players. maybe if she'ld stop using those flat-washers for picks... at least the backup was on hand. that black gibson makes you all abit more crunchy. that backup thing is abit more fuzzy. (guitar-geek observations...)

oh yea, the keyboard player's expression was great when the drummer said he was a dealer!

Also, I was a zombie in HBAB's video. They used chocolate syrup as blood. After four hours rolling around with other zombies covered in syrup and sweat, I will never again eat a sundae.

quote:

Originally posted by g f x:
aw yes. damn guitar players. maybe if she'ld stop using those flat-washers for picks... at least the backup was on hand. that black gibson makes you all abit more crunchy. that backup thing is abit more fuzzy. (guitar-geek observations...)

She does use semi-heavy picks, but until our last show, she'd NEVER broken a string on stage before. Now she's at two in a row, and some at practice too. That Gibson is a string killer? Our last guitar player had his shit filed down (?! is that common?) because he was going through 3 strings a set (he was a bit of a basher, playing guitar as purcussion). It worked for him, but she doesn't want to potentially mess with this, so is considering heavier strings. The backup-a fernandez-is crap: it's quiet, lots of feedback and misc noise, it's mushy, bad action too I'm told. The instrument switch, besides killing the momentum, also left us with bad-sound on-stage afterwards, and we kinda stumbled on the next two because of it. She has a flying V too that looks boss, but is too awkward and she doesn't like it.

The other bands, being all pros, were totally immaculate of course. Unit 7 plays smash-worthy junk equipment and still makes it sound better than I could even if I could afford high-end shit.

I missed Shawn's reaction face!

I also was sorry to miss the zombie video thing and the air-guitar bit earlier in the day. There is a lot going on these days! My social calendar is a mess.

quote:

I missed Shawn's reaction face!

yeah, kinda like, "oh gawd i hope my boss is in the john..."

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Nobody:
[QUOTE]That Gibson is a string killer? Our last guitar player had his shit filed down (?! is that common?) because he was going through 3 strings a set (he was a bit of a basher, playing guitar as purcussion). It worked for him, but she doesn't want to potentially mess with this, so is considering heavier strings.

Alex Grachus' SG used to wipe out strings all the goddamn time. We actually had string-changing songs as a part of our regular set that we'd drop in and play while Alex frantically (though I must say, amazingly adroitly) replaced and retuned. Having to change strings on stage really sucks.

Turns out there was a tiny barb snagging it (I think it was in the bridge), which is easily fixable by filing it down. He also switched string brands (I think he was on GHS before), and now breakage is rare. That might be enough to fix it without going heavier. Since Rachel does lead and rhythm, she's probably found a middle weight she's happy with -- no need to mess with that, if at all possible.

Gibson guitars with tune-o-matic bridges have a more acute string angle over the saddle than Fender hardtails or tremolos. Saddle burrs are fairly common and are correctly remedied by carefully filing down the abrasion without fucking up the saddle channel. Another option is to purchase a replacement saddle. They are typically sold in sets but can be found individually at music stores with repair departments or online (of course). You can also get graphite saddles which self-lubricate and eliminate breakage for the most part. Different materials have different tonal qualities so be careful to match the saddles or one string might sound odd compared to the rest.
I observed Jimmy Vaughn's guitar tech threading small-diameter heatshrink tubing pieces down the strings so they settle at the ball end but are long enough to rest at the string-saddle contact point. He bragged that he never has sting breaks on stage since he started the practice.
Good luck

I meant to say "string breaks" not "sting breaks" because he is a huge Police fan.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Nobody:
I also was sorry to miss the zombie video thing and the air-guitar bit earlier in the day. There is a lot going on these days! My social calendar is a mess.

Same here. If I could have been there, I would have. Sorry, Gio 'n' Skreech. I hope you had a big enough horde.

Thumbs up, Dr. Soundgood.

Pics





















Harry / U7d

Great Pics!

ROOFUS

I missed the show cuz i was traveling but i did get a copy of LOVECRAFT before I left and got to listen to it a lot. I'm really digging it!!

Note to would be gear wreckers: If you plan on destroying everything on stage please bring your own mics and stands. Thanks

Well, thanks a lot to everyone who made it! Also all you Launchpad staff that put together that sweet package for us in the green room. We missed all of you so much. Miles, my mom said that the sound was the best she's ever heard, and the woman has been in bands my whole life. Personally, I had a blast. This record has been at the back of my throat for way too long now, and it was a real relief to release it finally. I also want to thank all of you who helped me put an end to that Peavy. Please don't feel too bad for it, trust me, it had it coming. Newman should have gone to the hospital, but you know him... poor guy went to work at 6 or 7am with a pretty gnarly concussion. The rest of us escaped with minor cuts and bruises.
Thanks again,
Ella