I have been enjoying my second career as a DJ on Lucky Star Radio, hosting Townedger Radio on the third Wednesday of each month that begins at midnight CST. But here we go with the latest installment of what I give my opinion and nobody gives a shit?
Since the weather has been shit, I turn my attention to recording what will be the last chapter of The Townedgers as a music collective. But we have no songs to speak of, and basically haven't thought much of putting new songs down, even though Radio Maierburg Records would like to have something for 2015. Really pointless to make albums outside of my own enjoyment. But I continue to promote the songs via Townedger Radio. Nobody else will promote them.
Don't look for a Tyrus reunion anymore. We have two extreme right wing viewed guitar players. They will still remain brother and arms but if I hear one of them bitching about Obummer they might get decapitated with a 22 inch swiss knocker. One plays whammy bar and the other a one note lead. The more reliable is making a decent living flying airplanes. He's moved on.
As I sat down to a Mexican dinner with Russell for the first time in months, we discuss ways of making one last attempt to get together and jam. When we stick with bar tunes, we are one and the same, not much so when it comes to my own stuff. It's a difference in styles that clashes with the simple melodies of The TEs. Then again I tend to really shy away from those who disagree with the melody philosophy of The Townedgers, they're not progressive rock, it's simple melody concurring with the thoughts of my mental state at that time. Some albums are very much a diary and I rather not have them being altered. And the personal nature of Pawnshops Of Olivia make it hard to revisit some of those songs. But Forthcoming Trains was, for the first time in years, an album that I just went on flow and feelings and what was written on the spot.
I do admit this, that paying more attention to see what I can find in the pawnshops or dollar bins at thrift stores took priority over my drumming and band activities and had I proceeded to translate that into my drum playing that perhaps I could rival Neil Peart or Gavin Harrison but I was a record collector first and musician second. Therefore The Townedgers were just that, a curio band that hardly anybody heard outside of friends and a couple fans. A hobby but it's a hobby that I happy to play from time to time and be happy with the results. Not all of it works but the ones that do stand out sound good on the radio when played. Perhaps I'll put the best together to make a decent best of. Hopefully I can find the right 12 songs for that. Maybe somewhere down the line I might get some faraway fans to seek me out for a comeback, just like they did with Rodriguez.
When you reach the 50s, time becomes more precious than when you were 30 or 40 and that there's no guarantee that you'll be around tomorrow. I don't think I am punishing Russell or blowing him off when talk of getting us back together to jam, shit happens in life and it has happened in bunches this year. We have work, he has golf on the weekends when the weather is over 40 degrees and basically lives a full life with his wife, doggie and cats. I'm not much of a cat fan and even less so when I'm around cats with attitudes. I'd love nothing more to wall Louie up in the bass drum and get a double bass petal and do Slipknot solos. There some cats I like, Bud and Lovie up at my brother's work place, Cosmo a few examples, but Louie creeps me out half the time. Which explains why I don't show up much over at my best friend's place. Plus he lives way across town.
I sold Matt, Russ's son my old Yamaha drum set to which Russ mentioned that they're now over at his place since Matt has gotten married and living a full life of work and school and no time for drums. So actually I'll be playing my old set that was a big part of the classic record years of the early 90s up to 2003's 20 before the DW replaced that set. So at least I won't have to tote my drums down there. The question remains of finding time from our busy life and playing together. But while my best friend continues to dream about a world tour and big recording career just like the old days, I'll be content with just getting together and jamming and perhaps maybe get to the corner bar for a fun filled evening and having a good time. And picking the best 3 cymbals instead of the usual 49 that I used on the last Tyrus show. I still have to haul these things without any help and I'm 53 now.
The Townedgers themselves, Martin continues to produce and record up and coming acts, Geoff is playing in his daughters band and we have not done much communicating since Forthcoming Trains wrapped up. Geoff played all over 30 but not as much on Forthcoming Trains which left me to do a lot of the guitar parts. But I have done that in the past as well. A band collective means anybody shows up gets credit for the album but I don't really reveal who played what on the songs. But we all know who did what on them.
It's a been 15 years when I first met Lisa and it was a year ago that we last emailed each other. Things happen in life and you either grow together or grow further apart. But I do give her credit for inspiring me to write a great album based upon our time together. We were not destined to grow old together but all the same I enjoyed the time we did spend with each other.
My favorite albums of 2014? Not a very long list but the ones that stood out was the Dylan Basement Tapes Raw album and The Strypes Snapshot. The worst one? Lana Del Rey Ultraviolence, I didn't get that one at all.
Going to St Louis was a fun time and I went there between the Ferguson riots but my place of sanctuary The Chain Of Rocks Bridge has been neglected once again. Some fuckers defaced and tagged up the fire engine and the once pretty Route 66 sings. Can't have anything nice down there. Nobody cares anymore.
The future of the TEs after the next album, I can't say. One day at a time.
