This. Saturday. Night.

Why?

BB is the only band I've ever been in where writing songs is a prolonged, detailed process. In almost every other band I've been in, the potential has been there to complete a new song or two every practice. I've long since accepted that BB needs to take a different path to get things done the way we want.

So far, our efforts have been worth it. Everything we've recorded has exceeded my expectations. To be honest, I don't often have a clear idea of what our songs even sound like, what with playing so loud live and in practice. Then when we do a nice recording it's like "whoa... that's us?".

Playing memorable shows and having nice recordings to leave behind (as well as hanging out with an interesting bunch of folks) are the only goals I have in BB. Out of all the bands I've been in that I really cared about BB has one unique distinction - my complete indifference to what anybody thinks of us. I'm completely focused on our end of the bargain, the goals mentioned above. I can't say I get all that bummed out if no one comes to see us play, or someone says we're just a bunch of noise. If there are two people at our show, I will thoroughly enjoy giving them their money's worth. Conversely, playing big events, or with popular bands, or for influential people does not give me any extra lift. If we promote/put on a good show and play good songs, that's all we can control. I'm not worried if the audience doesn't get it, and it's also lost on me if a show leads to some sort of big break. Outside of performance and the creative process itself (you need them there) I don't have a lot of highs or lows in the band. Why is this? Maybe it's because the songs are so carefully planned. Because everything's so communal, the final product is less of a direct reflection on me compared to some bands I've been in. I feel like if we don't get over, I don't have to take the fall alone. This keeps my feelings nice and even, and allows me not to get caught up in trying to impress people.

What's The Worst That Could Happen?

My post yesterday got me thinking about touring and the motivations I have for being in a touring band today. It reminded me of something that happened to Old Band once.

In winter of 1996 we had an all-ages show in an upscale T.O suburb - one of the four gigs we did outside the region during our five-year existence. Our bass player had booked it, largely on the premise that we'd be playing with the latest project of an ex-member of an important US hardcore band. It was not a band I cared about, but I was happy to go on a trip to the big city.

We didn't bring amps or drums because there was no room. I'm not entirely sure why we didn't just rent a van. Expense, maybe? Anyway, punk bands always shared gear at local shows, so surely that must be universal. Someone would help us out, obviously.

There were a lot of kids at the show... maybe 200. What a great chance to impress people! Before the bands started, it was hard to get a feel for the room. The kids looked about the same as home. Fewer "punks" though... maybe only three or four obvious ones. The "hardcore" fashion style seemed to predominate. That existed on a small scale back home, but not like this.

I think there were four bands on the bill, maybe five. I figured we'd probably go fourth, before the ex-member guy's band. No one had heard of us, but we did come from far away. As I waited to play, I got really... bored. The opening bands were just terrible. Really, really boring. I can respect a band that plays shitty music but really throws down, with a lot of passion (as 90s emo bands often did). This was just lifeless, unmelodic, unenergetic, unmoving tripe. And you know what? The kids there just ate it up! They must have seen something I did not. I've rarely seen people get so excited about something so boring and disposable.

We were ready to go on before the "big" band but as it turned out, they were going to play before us. The kids were super-into them (and I admit they were marginally better, although still pretty boring). Anyway, we were getting ready to go on when we realized that all of the opening bands had used their own gear and had since packed it up. We knew basically no one there. None of the organizers seemed willing or able to help. We ended up borrowing shit from the other touring band, which they were clearly lukewarm about. They had good reason. No touring band should have to lend gear to other bands. We figured the local kids would all help each other out, and us by extention. This turned out not to be the case. It made me really cynical about the music scene in that area.

I soon realized that in most scenes, sharing gear is unheard of. But as time passed I also came to understand that gear-sharing is determined a lot by class stratifications within the punk scene. A crust band or a very traditional punk band was much more likely to share gear than a hardcore band, an emo band or an indie rock band. Of course there are exceptions, but this is the general pattern I've seen over the years. Class stratification in punk is something I've wanted to write about for a long time, but I don't have time today. I eventually accepted what happened to us as simply the result of disparate musical cultures colliding.

To finish up the story, we went up with borrowed amps and drums and started to play. The building emptied... and I mean emptied. By the time we were done, the touring band and three or four punk kids were the only people in the building. Without doing anything but playing music, we had just chased nearly 200 kids out of a room. And we did not play badly at all. We just weren't playing the right kind of show. While Old Band certainly had some fans in the hardcore community, the same could not be said of the emo community. Punks liked us. Shit, a whole lot of different people liked us back home. But outside our hometown, trad punk or crust shows should have been what we stuck with. Ironically, only one person in the band was ever involved in that sort of scene.

My next post will tie this stuff in with BB.

I'm No Businessman

A lot of things motivate me, but I have a hard time getting into salesmanship. This not a strength of mine. Maybe I could learn. I dunno.

I can write a serious letter if I have to. I've applied for my bands to play several festivals. I even wrote to a lawyer once, but that's about the extent of my confidence in this area.

These things come to mind as BB gets closer and closer to going on tour. When there's talk of grant proposals and out-of-town promotions I feel a bit out of my depth. I realize though that this is what it takes for a band to "get to the next level". Prior to my two most recent bands, these issues just never came up. "Old Band" couldn't tour because of conflicting work and school commitments. No other band I've been in ever seriously considered playing outside the region. I felt lucky to be in a band at all. That was enough for me.

What I did not realize then (but do now) is that "just being in a band" is fucking easy. Any trip to Rflctns on a Monday night confirms this. I think bands reach a point where they have to decide if what they do is for fun only or whether it's more important than that.

Over the past 17 years I've been in tons of "fun" bands who lived out the dream of playing local shows. That used to seem like such a big deal. Back then I used to have mixed feelings about bands from around here who went off on ambitious tours. "Well, aren't you right some grand and fancy. I guess this part of the world just isn't good enough for Mr. Fancypants and his precious Art". I never admitted that to anyone, but it was in the back of my mind. How dare anyone be so pretentious as to want to see the world??

Living out west was a huge eye opener for me. Most things I believed about music (and life) had changed 180 degrees by the time I came home in 2000. One thing I came to realize was that there's a lot of conservatism in music scenes, and I was as guilty as anyone. I had to look at myself and decide if that's who I really was. Same old music. Same faces in the same crowd. True til death. Never sell out.

I came to the conclusion that I didn't get into punk rock to act like a reactionary.

"You say you're different, I'm not convinced.
You've acted the same ever since......

Rebellion to you must only be a look, because the way you think is just like everyone else.

You won't let anyone change you, but you won't change yourself.
Can't you see what's going on? You'll soon end up like all the people you hate - your parents, your former friends......

I see you sit around and rot. You think you're still a kid, but you're not.
You tell me you've tried. I know it's just a lie. Now all you've got left to do is fucking die.

For all your big talk, you haven't done shit."

When I wrote those words in 1996, I had inadvertently described myself (except for the hating part... I don't hate my parents, or my former friends). It took a few years, but this sunk in and it changed the way I look at being in a band. This is why I never want any of my bands to sound identical to the last (or even close, preferably). This is why I laugh at the thought of reunions. It's why I think a band has to leave no stone unturned in realizing their full potential. That means experimenting with music and presentation, touring ambitiously, or both.

Unfortunately, this epiphany shed light on some flaws I never knew I had, which brings us back to the beginning part of this post. Living in a world/scene where all I had to do was write songs, play around town, put out my own bands' demos in 50-copy runs and book the odd out-of-town show... this was great, because I'm pretty good at things like that. Now that the stakes are higher though, I feel like I'm struggling to keep up. I'm not really good at shaking hands and kissing babies all over the country/world. Constructing business plans, promotion... this is what it takes to realize potential. I'm glad I have friends around me who thrive on these things, or at least are up to the challenge.

Maybe I'll get there too at some point. I've been a late bloomer/slow grower in virtually every area of my life. Not that I'm complaining. I'm doing things at (almost-) 35 that most people do at 20. So I guess I'll count my blessings and go write some more fucked up punk rock songs.

Hippies. Bah.

Yes, that bus shelter could have been a garden. Damn public transit, ruining the planet.

Barbecuing 101

Here's the article I wrote about before. Ten helpful barbecue hints that would make Heloise herself proud:

1) Consider Charcoal

The quality of food cooked on a propane barbecue can't be denied, but there's also something to be said for the primitive charm of a charcoal grill. The price is less prohibitive, and you just can't beat that smoky aroma (and taste). It's the perfect smell on a warm summer evening in the outdoors.

2) The Chimney

Should you go the charcoal route, you might consider an alternative to starter fluid, which can leave a nasty taste on your food. A chimney starter is an excellent alternative, using only paper to make your coals red hot. Look for one at your local hardware store.

3) Potlucks

Whatever type of grill you use, barbecuing is a joy best shared with friends... and the more friends, the better! If everyone pitches in, chances are you'll all get to try something you've never had before.

4) Finger Food

If everyone brought knackwurst to your potluck... well... that would be a lot of knackwurst. Encourage people to provide beverages or appetizers. These don't have to be barbecued themselves (although shish kebabs make a great start to the proceedings); chips or pitas and dip make for a nice buildup to the main event.

5) Homemade Dips & Sauces

Cooking a meal for friends is in itself a great exercise in DIY, but why stop there? Add a personal touch by making your own dips and sauces... maybe using ingredients from your own garden. If that sounds intimidating, take the time to check out a farmers' market in your area. You're sure to find something unique and homemade. Your guests will appreciate it.

6) Ignore Bad Weather

If you're committed to throwing an awesome party, no weather is bad weather for barbecuing. The living room may not have the ambiance of your backyard picnic table, but there's something to be said for perseverance in the face of adversity. Just make sure the cook has access to an umbrella.

7) Make Your Own BBQ

If cooking for friends and making your own ingredients is not DIY enough for you, why not build your own grill too? An oven rack and a circle of rocks might be all it takes. Heck, I've seen barbecues made out of discarded sinks. Get creative!

8) BBQ's Can Be Good For You

Those cheese-filled sausages are tasty, but oh-so-decadent. Barbecuing doesn't have to be unhealthy though... try turkey sausage instead of pork, or lean ground beef. The barbecue wok is a handy tool for upping the vegetable content.

9) Be Veg-Friendly

The barbecue has long been associated with wanton carnivorism, and with good reason. A well-executed barbecue potluck should embrace vegetarians too. Keep this in mind when prospective guests ask for suggestions on what to bring. Most vegetarians won't insist on a "clean" spatula, but offer to use one anyway. If you have two grills, make one veg-only. If not, cook in shifts, alternating meat with veg while giving the grill a quick brush in between. Your efforts won't go unnoticed.

10) Consider Home Brewing

For some, nothing tops off a summer barbecue like a cold brew. If you want to take the do-it-yourself barbecue ethic to the next level (and amaze your guests), look into brewing your own beer, or even wine. While home brewing may not be for everyone, releasing a fresh batch on the day of the potluck could be the icing on the cake.

The Obligatory Drinking-Related Post

My radio show will have a different host this weekend, I'm happy to announce. While I haven't lost any enthusiasm for the OIP, I like the idea of having the odd week off. This will be one such week, and if all goes well, there may be others. The point is: I'm going to *ahem* use my Saturday to the utmost. Unfortunately, it looks like rain, but I think we're going to barbecue anyway. Starting in the early afternoon. I'm thinking maybe a bunch of us will hit the farmers' market for supplies, swing by the store, then start the festivities.

Homebrew: its done fermenting. I'll bottle it soon, probably Friday. I have reason to believe this one will crack 12%.. In no less than two weeks we'll have a party to bust it out.

On a related note, I've come to the conclusion that brewing stronger ales takes a long time. What I think I'm going to do is get another glass carboy so I can brew two batches at a time; one will be one of those relatively easy kits, the other a more challenging project to be made from a recipe. With summer close at hand, we need to have a steady supply of light-ish beer. And that, I can provide.

All of my best blog ideas happen when I'm nowhere near a computer.

Politics

I like to think I'm usually in the ballpark of:



But around some people I feel more like:

The Process

BB is going on tour at the end of July and we want to have an album to sell at our shows. Trouble is, tour is 2 1/2 months away and we write songs at a snail's pace. Anyone who's watched BB over the past 2 years knows this is true.

So now we've switched into high gear. We have one new song we debuted a few weeks back, two others that are more or less ready to play live, plus a few odds and ends. There's going to be an improvised song on the album. I think we're ready to try something like that.

Last night we were trying to put together a typical BB song with several disparate parts. Each sounded good on its own, but all four of us were completely stumped as to how to put them together (see, we don't just randomly combine riffs). We left practice on a gloomy note. Tonight we were booked again (we've been doing 3-4 jams a week for the past month), and I wasn't looking forward to hacking away at that thing again. I decided to bust out a song idea I had a while ago that we never really attmepted. It's a pretty simple song, and we've got a good basic command of it already. I can't speak for the other guys, but I think this easier song rebuilt our confidence just when we needed it most (I did, at least).

When the threes aren't falling, you gotta take it to the rack.

Are you listening, Dirk?

Barbecue Culture

I may be doing an interview about barbecuing. It's gotten to that point, and I'm honoured.

Drive Safe On Tour

I'd be lying if I said this didn't weigh on my mind a little.

If Superman took too many of the wrong hallucinogens, do you think he would have delusions of being a different superhero?

"Superman, what are you doing with your arm like that?"

"I'M THE WEBSLINGER!!!!!"

"Dude, you can't sling webs. Nothing's coming out!"

"I'M GONNA EAT SOME KRYPTONITE!!!!!

Sudoku

The nice thing about sudoku is that it involves solving a visual puzzle where no lives are at stake.

Cover

Too bad this cover has already been used by Bobby P & the boys. It's otherwise got BB written all over it.

The Open Relationship

It seems to me that avoiding committment would be a committment in and of itself. If that's the path you're going to take, you had better be serious about it. You can't purport to live that way only to fall for someone and then opt for monogamy. It's like you've broken the only rule there is. You can't "dabble" either. One or the other.