No live show

I don't think that show is happening for us. After being dropped once and then put back on, and rescheduled twice, I'm sick of the whole thing. We kinda all are, and so we are not planning on doing the show after all. I've lost my enthusiasm and energy, so forget it.

However, on a good note, I was able to get with my cousin Josh for vocals on Analyzed Within. We are wanting to work hard and get this out to you guys. Been saying that for a while, and the reason we couldn't release a single was because of technical issues. We had problems with the MIDI, and so we are going to wait until the end to figure it out.

I'm starting a new job tomorrow, so that's pretty exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.

New 8-string

Nobody reads this anyway - especially since I haven't posted in a while.
So I will post about my April Fools' joke for this year. This is my new 8-string you see in this video screenshot. I bought this Ibanez RG8 from Guitar Center a few weeks ago and I love it! I had to do some adjustments so the strings wouldn't buzz so much. I am tuned to EAEADGBE.

So this joke is basically a ridiculous 30 second death metal song about April Fools'. Really, the video is a joke itself because it has blastbeat drums all the way through and is played so fast and just crazy all together. I did the vocals (inhale screams) and you can see it on April 1 on my first YouTube channel. The lyrics are as follows:

THE SUN IS RISING
PREPARE FOR TODAY
YOUR FRIENDS ARE YOUR FOES
BUT NO MORE TO PLAY

YOU STAND THERE CONFUSED
SO WHAT DO YOU SAY?
BUT THEN YOU REMEMBER
TODAY IS APRIL FOOLS'! 

You can watch a more serious 8-string video below. I still need to shoot a video for my "low end" showcase. I called the song "Mount Kilimanjaro." I am not anywhere near the mountain, so I guess I will have to get creative for my background. (no green screen available.) This is "Living in the Last Days" below.



Our show didn't take place yesterday, but has been moved to April 20. I do have a new job coming on April 15 at Verizon Wireless. Thankfully, the day of the show doesn't conflict with the new job.

First time playing with drummer

My friend is wanting to play a show on March 30. The event being organized has 10 bands playing, including us. What was originally going to be me and my friend Dakota playing an acoustic set, turned into a metal project with his friend Brandon (like my name  ) as the drummer. So then I invited my cousin Josh (part of Analyzed Within - my forming band). So now it's two guitarists, me and Dakota; and a drummer, Brandon; and Josh the main vocalist. We have no bassist! I hope we find one, but if we don't we will have to turn up the bass on our amps.  

We had a practice session last night. It was my first time playing with a real drummer. So much better than playing with a machine like EZdrummer! Man, Brandon keeps time very well (as you would hope from a drummer.) He picked up on everything we played quickly. His fills and beats rocked! My little 70 W amp was running wide open and was still having a hard time competing with the drums in that small garage.  We might just mic the amps for the show. And yes, I kept the gain low so it would cut through.  Or I might find a new amp (if I can find the $$$), as Dakota is getting himself a new guitar and amp.

We are concerned about getting a few songs ready for the show. Last night was more of talking and jamming. We need material to practice. We have a 20 minute window to play our part. We are expecting 200 or more people in this park that the show is taking place. The drummer has played shows before, as has my vocalist Josh, but this would be the first time for me and Dakota. After coming up with a few things last night, we agreed I would make some playthroughs for us. Dakota said he needed to practice. Brandon would need a playthrough without drums so he could do his own thing. I might even share them here if people wanna see. We gotta stick with simple stuff right now since we are so pressed for time.

I don't know where this will take us, but I hope we could all become Analyzed Within one day, and it would no longer be just me and Josh. Right now we are just having fun in preparing for this show. If we did become Analyzed Within, we would only need a bassist. I really hope we find one for the show. haha

I just wanted to share this joy! I had a blast last night!

As far as Analyzed Within releasing music, I am working on some songs, and I nearly have the whole EP composed. Josh is writing nearly all of the lyrics now. It's easier that way. The single, the title track "Living in the Last Days," has not been released because our studio guy is so dang busy that he cannot get to it as much as he would like.

And if you know me and my low-tuned guitars OCD, you might be surprised to hear we are playing Drop C for our show. I'm pulling one of the songs from the EP - at least that's the plan. Transposing is no big deal, but will be fun!


Brandon