I was at rehearsal last night and I was chatting with Kendra about a song of ours in which she raps the verses. As we discussed it became clear that neither of us could really define the genre of the song. We originally thought of it as a rap song or a rap/rock song, but Kendra doesn't think it sounds all that rap or hip hop like, and I don't think it sounds like other rap/rock songs, although as a song with rapping verses and rock instrumentation I suppose it is technically a rap/rock song. Neither of us really thought of it as such.
It made me think about classification of music and how sometimes we can be totally turned off of a song just by hearing how someone else defines it. Take the song that I was just talking about. I told some of my friends about the song and my buddy who can't stand rap or anything like it groaned. I totally understand why he reacted the way he did, but at the same time he hasn't heard the song yet, and I think ultimately he'll like it since he has liked the other stuff my band has done.
Genre matters. We like the things that fall into familiar categories. Whether it be music, movies, video games, comics, etc. We will be more likely to check something out if we know that it's similar to something else that we know we like.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Face of the Earth
This story begins and ends with a girl. Actually, it begins with girls in general and ends with a specific girl.
A few months ago I was browsing a free online dating site scoping out potential ladies from the comfort (re: safety) of my computer chair. I came across a girl's profile with the only picture being her cosplaying as The Joker. Even decked out in a purple suit with clown makeup on, she was cute, so I kept reading, found she liked video games, some of the same kinds of music, etc. Basically she was a big damn nerd like me, possibly even more so.
So I sent her a message and we start talking. At first just using the site's messaging system which isn't all that great, and then trying to use its IM client which is worse.
We ended up just using AIM and we basically starting chatting nightly. She went to Art school here in SF, She liked fighting games like Tekken and Soul Caliber, She owned a PS3 and was pretty excited about some of the same games as me, and she seemed genuinely interested in meeting me.
Except that whenever I approached the subject of meeting in person, she always had a reason that she couldn't do it. I'm not saying she was lying or anything, I'm just saying maybe I have bad timing. But whatever the reason, it took a few months of talking to this girl over the internet before we found time to meet up. We set up a date, and I kinda knew in the back of my mind it wasn't going to work out. Sure enough, the day before we were set to meet, she IMs me and apologizes. She has to go in to work. No problem, duty calls and all that.
Then something happened. I don't know what, but something. The next time we talked, she tells me she had some kind of breakdown and is moving back home to Sacramento. Her room mates kicked her out of her apartment and she has to go to therapy. While she didn't say she didn't want to see me, but it was pretty heavily implied that she now couldn't.
In the month or so since we last talked, I've tried to look her up on the dating site, and even on facebook. We agreed we wouldn't friend each other on facebook until after we met in person, but I found her profile anyway. I can't find either of those profiles anymore. I don't know what happened, maybe she had a nervous breakdown, or maybe she was fucking with me and just used the excuse to stop talking to me. Or maybe she was a dude or something. I don't know. What I do know is that she was pretty cool, attractive (from the one picture of her as the Joker. I never did get another picture), and nerdy. I was totally crushing.
A few months ago I was browsing a free online dating site scoping out potential ladies from the comfort (re: safety) of my computer chair. I came across a girl's profile with the only picture being her cosplaying as The Joker. Even decked out in a purple suit with clown makeup on, she was cute, so I kept reading, found she liked video games, some of the same kinds of music, etc. Basically she was a big damn nerd like me, possibly even more so.
So I sent her a message and we start talking. At first just using the site's messaging system which isn't all that great, and then trying to use its IM client which is worse.
We ended up just using AIM and we basically starting chatting nightly. She went to Art school here in SF, She liked fighting games like Tekken and Soul Caliber, She owned a PS3 and was pretty excited about some of the same games as me, and she seemed genuinely interested in meeting me.
Except that whenever I approached the subject of meeting in person, she always had a reason that she couldn't do it. I'm not saying she was lying or anything, I'm just saying maybe I have bad timing. But whatever the reason, it took a few months of talking to this girl over the internet before we found time to meet up. We set up a date, and I kinda knew in the back of my mind it wasn't going to work out. Sure enough, the day before we were set to meet, she IMs me and apologizes. She has to go in to work. No problem, duty calls and all that.
Then something happened. I don't know what, but something. The next time we talked, she tells me she had some kind of breakdown and is moving back home to Sacramento. Her room mates kicked her out of her apartment and she has to go to therapy. While she didn't say she didn't want to see me, but it was pretty heavily implied that she now couldn't.
In the month or so since we last talked, I've tried to look her up on the dating site, and even on facebook. We agreed we wouldn't friend each other on facebook until after we met in person, but I found her profile anyway. I can't find either of those profiles anymore. I don't know what happened, maybe she had a nervous breakdown, or maybe she was fucking with me and just used the excuse to stop talking to me. Or maybe she was a dude or something. I don't know. What I do know is that she was pretty cool, attractive (from the one picture of her as the Joker. I never did get another picture), and nerdy. I was totally crushing.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A post in which I complain about things.
- ebay sellers
- getting sick
A few weeks ago I bought an effect pedal for bass. An EHX Bassballs. One of the older models with the larger casing and the pine box. I purchased it off ebay for a pretty decent price. Fast forward two weeks, and it hasn't arrived. This kinda sucks yeah? Well yes, but the real twist is the seller hasn't responded to my inquiry about it, which means I'm dealing with a douchebag or maybe they're out of town or something. Either way, I really want the pedal!
about a three weeks ago I came down with a sore throat/cough thing. Basically I was sick. After getting over that after three or four days, things were fine. Then a few days ago I got on the 29 to get to Band rehearsal and I started feeling weird. by the time I got to the studio I was feeling under the weather, and by the time I got home, I was well and truly sick (again). Different kind of sick though. This was a head cold, stuffy nose/head kinda deal. I spent the next day doing nothing but eating soup and drinking orange juice. It totally worked too. I'm feeling way better.
Huh, that second paragraph wasn't really complaining was it? eh. 'sokay.
Next time I blog will be after the Slims gig. Here goes.
OH YEAH. I keep forgetting to do this: here is a little bit about this girl I know named Amanda. We hang out on the internet. We've met in person once (she came to a band practice of mine) and she plays lead guitar in a band. she's cool.
- getting sick
A few weeks ago I bought an effect pedal for bass. An EHX Bassballs. One of the older models with the larger casing and the pine box. I purchased it off ebay for a pretty decent price. Fast forward two weeks, and it hasn't arrived. This kinda sucks yeah? Well yes, but the real twist is the seller hasn't responded to my inquiry about it, which means I'm dealing with a douchebag or maybe they're out of town or something. Either way, I really want the pedal!
about a three weeks ago I came down with a sore throat/cough thing. Basically I was sick. After getting over that after three or four days, things were fine. Then a few days ago I got on the 29 to get to Band rehearsal and I started feeling weird. by the time I got to the studio I was feeling under the weather, and by the time I got home, I was well and truly sick (again). Different kind of sick though. This was a head cold, stuffy nose/head kinda deal. I spent the next day doing nothing but eating soup and drinking orange juice. It totally worked too. I'm feeling way better.
Huh, that second paragraph wasn't really complaining was it? eh. 'sokay.
Next time I blog will be after the Slims gig. Here goes.
OH YEAH. I keep forgetting to do this: here is a little bit about this girl I know named Amanda. We hang out on the internet. We've met in person once (she came to a band practice of mine) and she plays lead guitar in a band. she's cool.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
New CDs
today I hung out with some friends in the Mission. We hit some thrift stores and ultimately ended up in the Union Square area. I was looking for what I always look for: Cheap CDs, old/cheap video games, and cool guitars. I didn't find any video games of worth nor did I find any guitars, but I found a Copy of STP's Shangri-la dee da at the Community Thrift Store for $2.50. Not a bad deal I thought, but I was really looking for a copy of Purple. I really wanted Interstate Love Song. So fast forward to the Goodwill store on Van Ness. Nothing. Fast forward again to Union Square where Drew and I hit Rasputin's to look at their used stuff. Holy shit do they have a lot of awesome used CDs at like, $2-3 each! I picked up Purple, Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill, Barenaked Ladies' Born On a Pirate Ship, and Snot's Alive! for $2 each, and I found Bang Camero II for $3. I even got one of 'em free since I bought 3 used CDs (I'm gonna say the BNL)! I really love getting cheap CDs. I'm not a huge fan of downloading MP3s. I'll do it, but if given the option of downloading off the 'net, buying off the 'net, or buying the CD, I'll buy the CD almost every time. Otherwise I'd probably hold off on downloading until I can afford the CD.
Music related activites
It's finally happened. After almost a year of playing with Run Amok and then six months playing with the new band (Lunate Sigma for those of you playing at home), I finally have to buy clothing for a gig. Specifically, a white t-shirt. Now that Kendra's in the band (she's our new vocalist) she's been asking what we are wearing to gigs and such. While Chris was talking about some kind of syncing of dress-code I was never all that into it, thinking that we'd still all have unity even if we didn't coordinate. Now that Kendra and Chris have been talking about it together, it's become a definite thing, so this evening I went on eBay to find a shirt. I settled on an Ampeg logo t-shirt, which is cool, but I kinda forgot that I always wanted a Zildian tee as well. Next time I suppose.
I bought a 1-spot today for my pedals and by extension my new pedal board. I went into Guitar Center looking only for the 1-spot, but of course I take a look at the used section and find a Gibson Les Paul Special Faded (single cut, cherry finish, no pick guard) and an Epiphone Triggerman 60 amp. The Les Paul I def can't afford, but I'm thinking of trying to trade my Roland BC-30 amp for the Epiphone. The only real knock against it from what I've read is that it's a heavy motherfucker. We'll see.
That's all I got.
I bought a 1-spot today for my pedals and by extension my new pedal board. I went into Guitar Center looking only for the 1-spot, but of course I take a look at the used section and find a Gibson Les Paul Special Faded (single cut, cherry finish, no pick guard) and an Epiphone Triggerman 60 amp. The Les Paul I def can't afford, but I'm thinking of trying to trade my Roland BC-30 amp for the Epiphone. The only real knock against it from what I've read is that it's a heavy motherfucker. We'll see.
That's all I got.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
averaging suck
Today sucked. If you took everything that happened today, everything I did and added it all up, it would equal suckage. You see, I didn't do anything today. ok, that's not entirely true. One could argue that making hash browns and eggs for breakfast at 1pm and drinking the last Red Stripe with it was a good thing. But that's just it. I woke up at around noon, ate breakfast, drank my last beer, and afterward? Nothing. And not even a "I'm taking the day off to just veg" nothing. I mean sitting slack-jawed in front of the computer hitting the same three or four bookmarks over and over hoping to find something new that will catch my attention kind of nothing. I was bored all freaking day. I finally got out and bought dinner at the mall. Standard Sorobol fare. I came back and was bored all over again.
It's more than just being bored. It's also the fact that I didn't even try to do anything today, when I know I needed to get out and do something. Oh well. There's always tomorrow.
It's more than just being bored. It's also the fact that I didn't even try to do anything today, when I know I needed to get out and do something. Oh well. There's always tomorrow.
Monday, March 1, 2010
some quick notes
I came up with a cool SP inspired riff last night. I also kinda tweaked this other SP inspired part and they kind of fit together. I just hope the end result doesn't sound too derivative.
Also whenever I think of the title of my blog all I can think of is Dangeresque and more importantly, the Dangeresque theme song. In particular, the last line.
Also whenever I think of the title of my blog all I can think of is Dangeresque and more importantly, the Dangeresque theme song. In particular, the last line.
SF - 12:56 am
Um... 'kay, recording. Hi, I guess.
I already know I lost a few points 'cause I had to look up the episode I just quoted. If you're here, then you're probably as big a nerd as I am. Once again I have jumped on an internet bandwagon. I found a few blogs that my friends have, made a hasty decision to start writing again which will probably fall by the wayside some time soon, and I've found another place in the blogo-tuber-nets to brand without actually creating a website.
So to all who end up reading this first post, an introduction: I'm Damien. Y'know, like The Omen. The title of my blog does not stem from multiple personality disorder, nor am I having an identity crisis. I just like adding a little mystery to my fairly mundane life. Also I came up with it in like, five seconds off the top of my head. Folks who know me probably know my real name.
This blog is kind of an extension of the Livejournal I have that I'm not really updating too much. This seems like the more "grown up" version. Search it out if you're bored and have some time I guess. The topics of this blog are going to be pretty all over the place I'm sure. Expect some weird phraseology, music posts, the latest video game I've played, and maybe even my favorite porn.
I'll end my first Blogger Blog post with this: I'm a guy who is always stepping back and thinking. Perhaps too much. Maybe the blog title is more apt than I thought.
-- DB
I already know I lost a few points 'cause I had to look up the episode I just quoted. If you're here, then you're probably as big a nerd as I am. Once again I have jumped on an internet bandwagon. I found a few blogs that my friends have, made a hasty decision to start writing again which will probably fall by the wayside some time soon, and I've found another place in the blogo-tuber-nets to brand without actually creating a website.
So to all who end up reading this first post, an introduction: I'm Damien. Y'know, like The Omen. The title of my blog does not stem from multiple personality disorder, nor am I having an identity crisis. I just like adding a little mystery to my fairly mundane life. Also I came up with it in like, five seconds off the top of my head. Folks who know me probably know my real name.
This blog is kind of an extension of the Livejournal I have that I'm not really updating too much. This seems like the more "grown up" version. Search it out if you're bored and have some time I guess. The topics of this blog are going to be pretty all over the place I'm sure. Expect some weird phraseology, music posts, the latest video game I've played, and maybe even my favorite porn.
I'll end my first Blogger Blog post with this: I'm a guy who is always stepping back and thinking. Perhaps too much. Maybe the blog title is more apt than I thought.
-- DB
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