Something to be excited about

I'm pumped about how well our recording sessions have been going. Tonight I went down and laid down another track. It was one of our shorter pieces. I got a preeeety solid take =P. Can't wait to hear what the final product sounds like!

Also in the works is something that I think a lot of you will really get a kick out of. Let me put it this way, I can't talk about it yet, but when I finally break the news I think a LOT of people are def going to be interested!

I'll keep you posted,

Tom

Actually accomplished something recording

And it feels great! For the first time yet, we (meaning me) actually got a good take! It is for one of my favorite songs by us, so I am pretty excited about it.

It is a fast, semi-technical piece called, "Bloodsick." Basically, it is a song about vampires, but not in the cheesy, Hollywood-influenced, romanticized "Interview with the Vampire" style. More of a sinister, somber look at life as a vampire. The BPM (beats per minute) was set at 190, so it really wasn't that difficult or chops-intensive. I was satisifed with the take I got, even though I made a few minor errors on a couple of fills. This is only a demo, and I stuck all the "1's" so that is all that really matters.

Once we get some guitar, bass, and vox on it, I will def put it up on my music website.

Until next time,

Tom V

Here is a short post I made for all you other drummers out there, this is one of those classic rock songs everyone should know

Go to your local CD store and...

...buy an album that you have never heard of before, in a genre of music you never listen to. Huh? Yeah, you heard me right - get out of your comfort zone!

I think this is a good way to broaden your horizons. All too often I see people listening to one style of music, never branching out. While this may not seem like a terrible thing, for a musician, it can be the kiss of death.

Let me give you an example. Let's say you are the drummer for a rock band with a serious funky edge. Well, there may be a point where you find yourself getting a little stale. Maybe you didn't even notice yourself, but had another band member point it out to you. Well, listening to another drummer who plays a very different style could be just the thing you need to get out of your funk (pun intended).

Go buy a salsa CD - you might be pleasantly surprised at it. Or maybe go buy a smooth jazz album - you might be able to cop a sweet lick off their drummer, something you never would have heard had you not diversified your musical tastes.

Now you might not like the CD, you might think it is total garbage. But one thing is for sure - you will certainly gain something from it, even if you learn something NOT to do.

Try it out - you never know, you might find yourself going in a different direction musically than you ever could have imagined!

Tom

Great concert review

There was a really great show the other night at a local club. I don't know if you like heavy metal, but if you do, you really need to check these bands out. They're pretty heavy, technical death metal style. Fear Factory is a really great band that has been around forever. The other bands that played were Decapitated, Suffocation, and Hypocrisy. If the names already scared you off, oh well, this obviously wasn't made for you. LOL.

One of the users over at RockBlock made a really great post about reviewing the show. There is a link at the end of this post. Stop by, leave a comment, tell us how much you hate metal, whatever. Remember, the site is for musicians who are trying to be sucessful, it definitely isn't just geared toward metal. come share your ideas, stories, reviews, pictures, songs (coming soon!), and whatever else you feel like talking about. Hopefully I'll see ya there!

Tom

Here is the link for the heavy metal concert review

Keep your head up

I'll be honest - the road I have been travelling on has been getting pretty bumpy lately. The recording sessions with my band have been a complete failure so far. Our next show isn't until the beginning of next year, and we are having some trouble getting on the bill at quality venues. Some other stuff in my personal life has been pretty dissappointing as well.

However, what do you see me doing? Well, I am still updating my blog :-). I am still doing all the things that I need to do to keep moving along in life. In other words, I am persevering. I think this is very important to becoming a sucessful musician.

When life throws you a curve ball, you have to be ready to hit it out of the park. I think I said this in a previous entry, but it is so true. Just because things don't go the way you planned them, doesn't mean you should give up.

Pull yourself together, stay focused and determined, and go get 'em. Remember, no one is going to hand you anything, you have to go out there and take it! Whether it be making it in the music business or something else, if you believe in yourself, you have a much better chance of suceeding!

Tom

Here is an article I wrote on staying focused on the music

Get out there

Do you have a ton of great songs, but no one ever gets to hear them? Do you have a smoking band, with some material recorded, but nothing serious in the works? If either of these statements applies to you, you need to do something, and quick!

A lot of bands are popular because of exposure. They may not be good songwriters or even proficient at there instruments, but they are popular. Good marketing can go a long way, in and out of the music business. If you want people to know about you, you have to tell them!

If you want to go places, you have to do it. Success is rarely handed on a silver platter to you, so don't delay! Get out there and get your music heard!

Tom V

I wrote a longer article on getting your music heard

Don't forget your...

When going to a gig or recording date, you must always be prepared. Some of you boy scouts may already be a step ahead of me, but let's see what I really mean.

Whatever instrument you play, there are necessary pieces of equipment you can't play without. If you are a guitarist, this means your guitar (DUH!), an amplifier, speakers, a power cord, and a patch cable. But don't forget about your picks, and a back up set of strings. Do you use an effects pedal? Better have a spare set of batteries!

What I am getting at is that some things are easier to remember than others. If you are a drummer, there are other things than drums, cymbals, sticks, and hardware. You should definitely have backup sticks that you can grab easy, and a drum key. What happens if a drum head breaks? It is never a bad idea to have some duct tape around.

Just some things to think about. Make a check list so your band's show won't be ruined by your forgetfulness.

Tom

Here is an article I wrote about musicians being prepared

Realistic Expectations

I've seen plenty of bands get burned out for one reason or another. Whether it be substance abuse, internal fighting or legal problems, it is normally pretty ugly. However, sometimes a band will get burned out on something else - the desire to be perfect.

Nobody's perfect. No matter what you think, there is always someone better than you. Unless you are [insert favorite guitar player here], then there is always someone better. There probably is some kid right now in Madagascar that no one has ever heard of who is just shredding.

What I am getting at is this. While I believe bands should always strive to become better, and never get stale, I think sometimes you have to take it easy. I know one musician who is extremely talented at what he does. However, it takes him a month to learn a new song, because he has to have every little detail perfect.

Don't get bogged down in the minutia. Strive to be the best you can be, but don't let your perfectionism hold you back. Play the music, and as you progress you can improve upon your parts. This will make you more successful and productive. Something that every musician should desire.

Tom

Finding your groove

Sometimes I see bands not really sticking with what works. Now you may have read a post I made about not letting yourself get stale, and while I think this is very important, I also feel it should be balanced.

What I mean by this is don't get to out of control always trying to do new stuff. When you take this concept overboard, you run the risk of losing your identity and not having an identifiable sound. There are bands that just have that great trademark sound, like Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. When you hear one of these bands songs, you instantly know it is them. I personally think this is usually a good thing.

Some bands have been accused of taking this too far; for example, AC/DC. I tend to disagree, I still think they are a solid band, if not the most technically proficient. To add to this, by having that recognizable sound, you have a more marketable product (if you care about this at all :P).

Don't think I am telling you to stay the same - just remember, don't lose your identity as a band. If people know who you are, but also look forward to hearing your NEW song, you're doing something VERY right.

Just some ramblings,

Tom

The Classics

I look around today and see something that bothers me. Not enough music fans or musicians appreciate the classics - bands that influenced the bands they like today. For instance, if you like soul music, I am talking about artists like Stevie Wonder or Aretha Franklin. If you like rock music, I am talking about bands like Zeppelin, Purple, Sabbath, The Stones, Aerosmith, and on, and on we can go.

Why is is that so many kids today only like new music? I mean, come on, you aren't going to tell that Limp Bizkit can compare with The Who, are you? Not to say that there aren't some very talented bands coming out these days. I just think that the saying, "respect your elders," might ring true here.

If you go back and listen a lot of these bands, you will hear some really crazy stuff. And I don't necassarily mean their singles, I am talking about their good stuff. Like Zeppelin's "Achilles Last Stand." Not to say I don't love every Zeppelin album (I do), I am just pointing out that there is a lot of really great music out there that is pretty unknown.

Ever heard of Toys in the Attic? I hope so, that album is totally awesome. I bet a lot of kids in bands today don't know who did it. You gotta know your Sabbath though, I mean, come on. The funny thing is I am only twenty one, and I own every Sabbath album and love them all. I love every incarnation of them.

I know I have been influenced by old bands as well as new. I think you need to look to the past if you've never heard some of these albums. And if you own Van Halen II, go put it on your stereo and turn it up to "11!"

WOW...

...just got done with a really long practice, and man, am I spent. We worked on a few covers we have been trying to nail lately, and it was kind of draining. The songs we are doing are PANTERA's "Domination" and "Strength beyond strength," and SLAYER's "Postmortem." Not sure if any of you are familiar with these guys but both are really quality bands.

It is cool how we were able to all go home and learn the songs individually, then come together and play them. We are getting those three pretty tight, and also have a few Sabbath and Zeppelin covers in the wings! Lately we have been having trouble coming up with new material, and doing a few covers has given us a much needed creative break.

Check out my site, RockBlockOnline. There are some cool articles over there for musicians, and if you have a ever been in a band you know it isn't as easy as people think! Bands and musicians get together and discuss common (and some not so common) problems that you face trying to make it the music biz. Check it out, you might make some good connections!

Until next time,

Tom

PS - :-( patriots losing :-(

Sad day

Sorry for starting this blog off on a bad note, but there is no way to escape how you feel. Today is a sad day, and it looks as though the NE Patriots will not have the division locked up. At 6-3 now, it is still open. A really crucial loss, the Jets just played better on both sides of the ball. Brady seemed off, and it seemed everytime Pennington made a pass it was complete. Not to mention the O line is having its worse year in a long time.

On another note, this blog will mainly be focused on writing about rock and music - seeing how music is my number one passion (ahead of sports :-p). I am in a band, as well as in a couple of side projects that I think a lot of you would really enjoy. If you like to play guitar, or even listen to guitar, we already have something in common! I like all different kinds of music, especially heavier stuff and also more musically technical stuff.

If you're a musician, maybe we could learn a few things from each other. After all, it is hard trying to make it in this cutthroat music biz. From large studio recording fees to internal problems, we could all use support from our fellow musicians. Whether you like Kentucky bluegrass or UK synthpop, we all have something in common... a love of music!

Until next time,

Tom