Punchbear

I think that I'm undergoing a serious bout of writers block.  I've not written a song in over two months, not recorded anything.  Maybe it's the new job, maybe it's the environment at home, maybe it's just that I've hit an impasse and need different stimuli, new inspiration.  Maybe I just need to fall in love sometime soon. 

I've not had that fizzy hum of a song forming in the back of my brain and I'm beginning to miss it.

Right now, we're desperately searching for a new rehearsal room.  We've not played together in one room since October and it's starting to get a little out of hand at this stage.  Favours have been called in, doors knocked upon and Las Internetskis rifled through in the search for somewhere to play in, for a reasonable amount of money.  So far zilch.

So, if anyone in the Munich area, Germany, has any idea where a man can go with his band, information would be very much appreciated.

Madness, we NEED to start playing again, too many songs going to waste.....

And a huge thank you to all the people who've voted on Ocean Live in the Battle, wasn't expecting that at all - if we win, hopefully it'll spur us on to go full-on with the band.  If you haven't voted already, it's here:  http://forum.bandamp.com/Audio_Review/2265.html, can I twist your arm there and beg for even more votes? 

So, I got Guitar Rig and as an amp modeller, it's rather fine.  I DI my acoustic directly into the laptop and drop the levels and get some absolutely savage sounds out of it, varying from Obituary buzzsaw viciousness to melancholy Elliot Smith tones to diamantine Edge delays.  It's a sweet app.  Only problem is that it doesn't seem to work properly in Logic.  Garage Band recognises it immediately and opens it within itself but that's a problem when I do basic tracks in GB and open them in Logic, I lose all my guitar effects.  Bummer.  No really, all the carefully sculpted tones just evaporate.  Which is a pity, because Logic affords vastly superior mixing and editing abilities than Garage Band. 

So how does one get Guitar Rig to function in Logic?

Answers on a live badger to the usual address.

testing

www.independent.ie

hmm.  now to finish yon test.

It's a Paul Brady cover version, but it's a beautiful song that I'd like to share.

Songs haven't been coming thick and fast of late, but lots of little thrash riffs in their stead.  Maybe time to make some metal songs?  In theory, it's workable, but in the absence of a drummer, I've been toying with the idea of just playing with my hands and feet on whatever's available and treating it to bits.  No substitute for a real drummer and drum programming has never been my forte, but dammit it's fun doing it like this.  Just roughly humming riffs and hand-and-foot jamming over it with the mic at an angle over the whole must-be-annoying-as-feck-for-my-flatmate affair.

Rough recording of a tune that I think is really catchy.

Re-recording of an older tune.

©2000

So finally, after years of threatening it, I got myself an Edirol FA-66 and an AKG 200 mic and here's the first rough new tune I've recorded with them.  Song's written about a stag week I just went on in Ireland, a gathering of old mates in a cottage on an island, before the first one bites the dust as it were, no more acting the maggot and partying but needing to keep these bonds of friendship alive.  They're so important.  And the weird thing when I was writing it is that I had this vague "Saving Private Ryan" thing in the back of my mind and somehow the lyrics could double up for soldiers about to go into or coming from combat.  Anyways, hope ye enjoy it.  PB

Lend Us Your Giants

Are you coming with us away from this shore,
Where the sun hangs low and chases our flaws,
To silent roads and steady declines,
To the straw of our youth and our lost valentines

When the ramp hits the beach, you can feel your soul thaw,
As the motors start up and the wheels start to roll,
And bless this here tin that is gold in your paw,
We'll have words with our giants on the shoulders of gods.

And wave goodbye to certainty,
It's not too far from here you see,
A time like this isn't everyday,
It's a serious business making memories.

We'll gather ourselves in this room while we can,
Each one a star in this lifes firmament,
And we'll drink like heroes like only we should,
bonded by pain, laughter and this strange brotherhood

We'll drain our glasses in memory of those now gone,
Offer them praises in word, deed and song,
We'll think about those who couldn't be there today,
Warm in the thoughts of our shared yesterdays.

And say hello to fraternity,
It's the be-all end-all here you see,
A time like this is so damn precious,
We do so love our unholy messes.

And when we're all done with our brief ecstacy,
And the sky has dulled to a warm aniseed,
We'll clap backs, shake hands and each to disappear,
To the corner of the world he calls home.

And stick the boot in for comedy,
That's why we're all here you see,
Our houses and cars get left at the door,
For the briefest of times, who could ask for more?

©2007