Must be June in Iowa. Fucking water in the basement. Diggy Kat gets to interview me as I promote my new album Forthcoming Trains. Being A and R of the band, he pointed out I omitted Drinking Again on the album cover. Fuck me running.
I still hope to partake in The Bacon Jam in the near future. If and when that happens remains to be seen. As for Alex and that get together, nothing has happened and if we don't connect before he goes to days next month it ain't going to happen. There's been a lot of bitterness of Mike toward his ex wife. There's a time you have to let go and a time to moan and a time to complain about it. I know he's hurting and truly angry. Better to write a song about it rather than continue to badmouth via the social networks. That never got nowhere with me. As much as I would like to, I doubt if Mike will return to do any new songs with me or the band anymore. He rather do Karaoke. His choice but not mine.
I think it's pointless to talk about the past loves of my life. They made good songs for that certain place and time. The majority of them can be found on social networks. I recall Janice wanting that family life back when she was chasing me around high school but really we couldn't have been more opposites. Besides we don't look the same as we did back then. We're both old. And not exactly good looking anymore.
I miss Donna Will, she was a good friend when talking music and glad to see her in DC ten years ago. She's kinda disappeared from the computer the past year and hope she's still around.
The next project, I'll be using the Zildjian lineup of the Road Less Traveled for cymbals. Out of all the Z lineup's they're my favorite. However, I do have the Paiste cymbals all locked away for the right project. I do have to say though, the Paiste cymbals used for the 30 album (The 3000s, 2002 and Signature all added a bit more aggressive sound. Any cymbal lineup can work for you. Even the copper tins of beginner cymbals, Paiste PST 7 highly recommended.
http://www.grassrootsy.com/2012/02/22/an-open-letter-to-venues-that-exploit-their-musicians/
Monday, 30 June 2014
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
The Bacon Jam
Every Wednesday Night at Checker's Tavern in Cedar Rapids is the Bacon Jam, a collective of some of the legendary musicians of the area get together from 8 to 11 and jam for about 3 hours. I have talked about going to this and see what goes on but can't do it since I work nights. Tonight I decided to check it out and hopefully get on stage.
For the most part, the musicians Tom Bruner, Dan Johnson and a cast of a few have made this a selective event for over the hill rockers past their prime to do the classic rock overplayed stuff and tonight was no exception. The first notable chords of Margaritaville, the old Kansas City classic song and Can't Get Enough and plenty more. It's all fun.
But I sat there in the background jamming to the beat and playing table drums, basically pounding my hands on the table to keep the beat whereas some of the drummers would over do drum rolls or fills. The best drummer was the guy that works in the drum section at Guitar Center. Some kid could spin his sticks just like Tommy Lee but couldn't keep the beat and made a mess out of a simple 4/4 Keep Your Hands To Yourself, or miss the breaks of Can't Get Enough and when I heard them do Dead Flowers, I was chomping at the bit to bumrush the stage and show them how to actually do it. I haven't done many jam sessions over the years but from what I heard, I don't think I would have embarrassed myself at all if I made it behind the drums for a jam session. Even after all these years I remain a mystery to the rest of these musicians, doesn't matter if I made a new Townedger album or get played on Radio Buzz'd. But I always been a eccentric anyway. I doubt if I will ever change but who knows, perhaps the next session they might bite the bullet and let me sit in on a few numbers.
I might surprise them and even myself.
Come to think of it, the waitress never did bother to give out some of that free bacon either. And I gave her a 2 dollar tip from the pizza burger!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6zEmlnwaM
Look for a cameo of myself at the 20 and 33 second mark. Told you I was there.
For the most part, the musicians Tom Bruner, Dan Johnson and a cast of a few have made this a selective event for over the hill rockers past their prime to do the classic rock overplayed stuff and tonight was no exception. The first notable chords of Margaritaville, the old Kansas City classic song and Can't Get Enough and plenty more. It's all fun.
But I sat there in the background jamming to the beat and playing table drums, basically pounding my hands on the table to keep the beat whereas some of the drummers would over do drum rolls or fills. The best drummer was the guy that works in the drum section at Guitar Center. Some kid could spin his sticks just like Tommy Lee but couldn't keep the beat and made a mess out of a simple 4/4 Keep Your Hands To Yourself, or miss the breaks of Can't Get Enough and when I heard them do Dead Flowers, I was chomping at the bit to bumrush the stage and show them how to actually do it. I haven't done many jam sessions over the years but from what I heard, I don't think I would have embarrassed myself at all if I made it behind the drums for a jam session. Even after all these years I remain a mystery to the rest of these musicians, doesn't matter if I made a new Townedger album or get played on Radio Buzz'd. But I always been a eccentric anyway. I doubt if I will ever change but who knows, perhaps the next session they might bite the bullet and let me sit in on a few numbers.
I might surprise them and even myself.
Come to think of it, the waitress never did bother to give out some of that free bacon either. And I gave her a 2 dollar tip from the pizza burger!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE6zEmlnwaM
Look for a cameo of myself at the 20 and 33 second mark. Told you I was there.
Monday, 2 June 2014
Forthcoming Trains Album Notes
For the record:
Side 1
How Hard It Is (Smith/Willard/Swearingen/Redding/Daniels) 4:00
Midnight Run 3:33
We All Sleep Alone (Smith/Orbit) 3:12
Endless Highway 3:00
Just Enough Love 3:03
Light Years Away (Smith/Redding) 3:11
Faygo 2:33
Side 2
Long Time Gone 2:48
Something To Believe In (Smith/Orbit) 3:20
Drinking Again (Smith/Daniels) 4:45
Are You Gonna Be The One 3:05
Wolfie (Smith/Redding/Daniels) 3:30
Knockin On Heaven's Door (B.Dylan) 5:03
Home 2:05
Total Time 47:30
Produced by Rodney Smith and Hugh McConnell
A & R: Diggy Kat
Songs written and composed by Rodney Smith: Music by The Townedgers except where noted.
Copyright control except track 13 (Ram's Horn Music BMI)
Recorded at the Hoarder House Of Hits-Stone City IA March 2014
Engineers: Hugh McConnell, M.D. R.S. Assisted by David Kilkenny
No Pro Tools used in the making of this recording.
The old Pearl Snare, used in the Paraphernalia records years ago was brought back to life.
Vintage Zildjian Cymbals from the 80s was also used. Main drum set remains the DW.
The 1988 Red Fender Strat was the main electric guitar of choice.
Mixed and mastered at MRK by Martin Daniels and R. Smith
Knockin' On Heaven's Door dedicated to the memory of Dennis Pusateri. Ride on brother.
Thanks to the usual crew of family, friends and spirits who kept this going.
C 2014 Townedgers Music Emporium
Side 1
How Hard It Is (Smith/Willard/Swearingen/Redding/Daniels) 4:00
Midnight Run 3:33
We All Sleep Alone (Smith/Orbit) 3:12
Endless Highway 3:00
Just Enough Love 3:03
Light Years Away (Smith/Redding) 3:11
Faygo 2:33
Side 2
Long Time Gone 2:48
Something To Believe In (Smith/Orbit) 3:20
Drinking Again (Smith/Daniels) 4:45
Are You Gonna Be The One 3:05
Wolfie (Smith/Redding/Daniels) 3:30
Knockin On Heaven's Door (B.Dylan) 5:03
Home 2:05
Total Time 47:30
Produced by Rodney Smith and Hugh McConnell
A & R: Diggy Kat
Songs written and composed by Rodney Smith: Music by The Townedgers except where noted.
Copyright control except track 13 (Ram's Horn Music BMI)
Recorded at the Hoarder House Of Hits-Stone City IA March 2014
Engineers: Hugh McConnell, M.D. R.S. Assisted by David Kilkenny
No Pro Tools used in the making of this recording.
The old Pearl Snare, used in the Paraphernalia records years ago was brought back to life.
Vintage Zildjian Cymbals from the 80s was also used. Main drum set remains the DW.
The 1988 Red Fender Strat was the main electric guitar of choice.
Mixed and mastered at MRK by Martin Daniels and R. Smith
Knockin' On Heaven's Door dedicated to the memory of Dennis Pusateri. Ride on brother.
Thanks to the usual crew of family, friends and spirits who kept this going.
C 2014 Townedgers Music Emporium
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Thoughts From The Townedger May Edition
I have been extremely lazy this month. And laid up from three weeks of allergies and the flu, so basically I have pissed off on the cover art of the Forthcoming Trains album. The record label isn't too happy with me it seems but I promised (this time for real) that the album will be in store first week of June. And you can hear only on Radio Buzz'd.
There's a treasure chest full of unreleased stuff that I hope bring out to see the light of day later in summer as well as a formidable best of the early years before renaming the band to The Townedgers. But then again when there's talk of cover art, I just go, why don't we just release the CD as is and let the fans design their own cover art?
It's finally springtime here in Iowa, the fucking gnats are out in full force. It's hard to do an outdoors event and have 10 of them buggers are going into your mouth while trying to sing.
If I can ever catch wind of it, I'd love to do some jamming on those infamous Bacon Jams that they have in CR. It's funny how 30 years flies by and the old Tyrus band trying to get their foot in the door. I'm surprised by the crazy drumming style that I used to do in that band, the smash and crash method but in this day and age I can't do that anymore without getting a heart attack. I can still maintain the beat as well as before, in fact my playing is better now than it was back then but still I amazed of how I managed to pull off some of those drum rolls and cymbal crashes back then.
There's talk of doing a 30th anniversary edition of Live Under A Full Moon, our final show as Tyrus. I may have Martin Daniels mix that one from the original copies. It would mean sitting through the whole thing and picking out the best songs. Awful lot of filler and missed notes and words and nobody wants to hear Free Bird anyway.
The best Rocky Mountain Way version we did was the Squaw Creek reception but Dong Bonesteel forgot to bring the recorder so that's committed to space, time and memory. I really have no idea why we decided that song was going to be our main theme between all the cymbal crashes and Mike trying to keep up with the vocals. Still, I look at the Tyrus years like I do The Big Crash Years. It's fun to revisit but I don't see a major market for this, except for fanatics of the band. And I would like to meet these fanatics if they do exist.
Mike has actually been going through a bad time, I guess Maj, his wife left after 12 years and he's not taking it too kindly either. Don't know the whole story behind that and as they say, please respect our privacy as we go through this crisis. I probably said too much.
Sometime in July, I should get together with Alex to see if there's any chance of a new and exciting music project coming from this. I'm thinking of adding Russ to the band for emotional support. We do play very well together.
The inspirations that shaped some of my earlier songs are no longer viable anymore. Why write about somebody that you haven't seen in over 30 years and haven't lived in town as long as that too? The songs about Janice served a purpose but nowadays we are total strangers and doubt if I would know her if I've seen her in this day and age. She doesn't have that Farrah Fawcett hair cut anymore. Ancient history. And not a good one at that either. Look for a new revision on Running In The Rain should we play that live.....
I'm sure if I would have used the Paiste cymbals on the latest album, they would be cutting though a lot more louder than the Z's. It's a matter of choice, both Z's and Pies are great cymbals. If I pose the question again about what to use, I'm sure the majority would still want Zildjians. The next project I'll use Impulse lineup for the 1986 tour. Still have most of them.
I've heard that Marco's Pizza has returned back to CR, which would be great. If I know where the new location is at I'll be a regular visitor again. Always love their pizzas the best. Naso's I love as well but they're too expensive anymore. Little Ceasar's 5 dollar specials are good for snacks. Zio Johnnos' pizzas suck.
Happy birthday to my DJ rock and roll buddy and sometimes TE conspirator Diggy Kat, the number one fan and sometimes inspiration for his band Vufcup. 'Ears to ya bro. Cheers!
There's a treasure chest full of unreleased stuff that I hope bring out to see the light of day later in summer as well as a formidable best of the early years before renaming the band to The Townedgers. But then again when there's talk of cover art, I just go, why don't we just release the CD as is and let the fans design their own cover art?
It's finally springtime here in Iowa, the fucking gnats are out in full force. It's hard to do an outdoors event and have 10 of them buggers are going into your mouth while trying to sing.
If I can ever catch wind of it, I'd love to do some jamming on those infamous Bacon Jams that they have in CR. It's funny how 30 years flies by and the old Tyrus band trying to get their foot in the door. I'm surprised by the crazy drumming style that I used to do in that band, the smash and crash method but in this day and age I can't do that anymore without getting a heart attack. I can still maintain the beat as well as before, in fact my playing is better now than it was back then but still I amazed of how I managed to pull off some of those drum rolls and cymbal crashes back then.
There's talk of doing a 30th anniversary edition of Live Under A Full Moon, our final show as Tyrus. I may have Martin Daniels mix that one from the original copies. It would mean sitting through the whole thing and picking out the best songs. Awful lot of filler and missed notes and words and nobody wants to hear Free Bird anyway.
The best Rocky Mountain Way version we did was the Squaw Creek reception but Dong Bonesteel forgot to bring the recorder so that's committed to space, time and memory. I really have no idea why we decided that song was going to be our main theme between all the cymbal crashes and Mike trying to keep up with the vocals. Still, I look at the Tyrus years like I do The Big Crash Years. It's fun to revisit but I don't see a major market for this, except for fanatics of the band. And I would like to meet these fanatics if they do exist.
Mike has actually been going through a bad time, I guess Maj, his wife left after 12 years and he's not taking it too kindly either. Don't know the whole story behind that and as they say, please respect our privacy as we go through this crisis. I probably said too much.
Sometime in July, I should get together with Alex to see if there's any chance of a new and exciting music project coming from this. I'm thinking of adding Russ to the band for emotional support. We do play very well together.
The inspirations that shaped some of my earlier songs are no longer viable anymore. Why write about somebody that you haven't seen in over 30 years and haven't lived in town as long as that too? The songs about Janice served a purpose but nowadays we are total strangers and doubt if I would know her if I've seen her in this day and age. She doesn't have that Farrah Fawcett hair cut anymore. Ancient history. And not a good one at that either. Look for a new revision on Running In The Rain should we play that live.....
I'm sure if I would have used the Paiste cymbals on the latest album, they would be cutting though a lot more louder than the Z's. It's a matter of choice, both Z's and Pies are great cymbals. If I pose the question again about what to use, I'm sure the majority would still want Zildjians. The next project I'll use Impulse lineup for the 1986 tour. Still have most of them.
I've heard that Marco's Pizza has returned back to CR, which would be great. If I know where the new location is at I'll be a regular visitor again. Always love their pizzas the best. Naso's I love as well but they're too expensive anymore. Little Ceasar's 5 dollar specials are good for snacks. Zio Johnnos' pizzas suck.
Happy birthday to my DJ rock and roll buddy and sometimes TE conspirator Diggy Kat, the number one fan and sometimes inspiration for his band Vufcup. 'Ears to ya bro. Cheers!
Sunday, 25 May 2014
How I Spend My Saturday Night In Quad Cities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyqUeJgFlPM&feature=youtu.be
Thought I go to Davenport for a Saturday Night game to see the Cedar Rapids Kernels playing the home team the Quad Cities River Bandits. Pretty good game, CR had 2-1 lead and Matt Christensen robbed a Quad Cities player of a HR. But another walk and Conrad Gregor came up to bat.
It's a hour and 20 minute drive to the QC from where I'm at and usually I go to Cedar Rapids to see the Kernels play but the last three games I have been going to Davenport. They got a nice stadium and for 6 dollars you can watch the game from the center field wall. Last three times I been out there I have had the damn ball flying toward me be it fair or foul or Home Run. I couldn't do the river walk, the Mississippi is over its banks and have inundated the trail behind the park with muddy water.
But anyway, the game was somewhat a pitchers duel and kinda boring till the bottom of the sixth and I was out there in in the fence with a couple folk around me. One of the folk was Conrad's dad Marty who was from Indiana and in town watching his son play. At that time he didn't hit a home run prior before getting a pitch and hitting it far.
As I saw it in the setting sun, it looked like it was coming towards me. Since I couldn't catch the fucking thing when I played baseball, I really wanted nothing to do with it but I heard his dad calling for the ball. I pointed to him and said You catch it, I'm not. Knowing my luck it probably hit me upside the head or me dropping it. But Marty made a heck of a catch and we congratulated each other with handshakes and high fives and chatted a bit before he said he was heading to Burlington to see his son play the next day. Anyway Cedar Rapids got swept by the River Bandits 5-2 after Tyler White hit another HR after Conrad did his. But Quad Cities got swept by Burlington today whereas the Cedar Rapids Kernels won 6-5 over Beloit.
I hope to return to Davenport a couple more times before the season is over. In the meantime, here's further proof that I was there. You can tell who Marty is. (the guy with the ball). I'm the one in the green jacket.
Thought I go to Davenport for a Saturday Night game to see the Cedar Rapids Kernels playing the home team the Quad Cities River Bandits. Pretty good game, CR had 2-1 lead and Matt Christensen robbed a Quad Cities player of a HR. But another walk and Conrad Gregor came up to bat.
It's a hour and 20 minute drive to the QC from where I'm at and usually I go to Cedar Rapids to see the Kernels play but the last three games I have been going to Davenport. They got a nice stadium and for 6 dollars you can watch the game from the center field wall. Last three times I been out there I have had the damn ball flying toward me be it fair or foul or Home Run. I couldn't do the river walk, the Mississippi is over its banks and have inundated the trail behind the park with muddy water.
But anyway, the game was somewhat a pitchers duel and kinda boring till the bottom of the sixth and I was out there in in the fence with a couple folk around me. One of the folk was Conrad's dad Marty who was from Indiana and in town watching his son play. At that time he didn't hit a home run prior before getting a pitch and hitting it far.
As I saw it in the setting sun, it looked like it was coming towards me. Since I couldn't catch the fucking thing when I played baseball, I really wanted nothing to do with it but I heard his dad calling for the ball. I pointed to him and said You catch it, I'm not. Knowing my luck it probably hit me upside the head or me dropping it. But Marty made a heck of a catch and we congratulated each other with handshakes and high fives and chatted a bit before he said he was heading to Burlington to see his son play the next day. Anyway Cedar Rapids got swept by the River Bandits 5-2 after Tyler White hit another HR after Conrad did his. But Quad Cities got swept by Burlington today whereas the Cedar Rapids Kernels won 6-5 over Beloit.
I hope to return to Davenport a couple more times before the season is over. In the meantime, here's further proof that I was there. You can tell who Marty is. (the guy with the ball). I'm the one in the green jacket.
Wednesday, 30 April 2014
Thoughts of the Townedger-April
April showers brings may flowers and too much fucking rain. Once again like last year I had to put a hold on the new album by dealing with another flood in the basement and hoping that we can get the GD motherfucker dried one time before I'm dead and gone. Getting too old to keep doing this shit year in and year out. Time to fix the cracks in this leaky assed basement.
A tip of the cap to Diggy Kat for his help on the Soundcloud site. Of course only me and him have been the regular visitors
It didn't help that I was sick most of the month after my brother got the flu on his 50th birthday. Think I had the fucking flu in some way all month and now am in the process of using vacation time since my sick time is used up.
I think Alex at work is really jumping at the chance to get together and do some jamming. If he's real interested of starting a new band, I can probably grab Russ to do bass, provided if I get him off the golf course this summer.
I have been very selected in what I hear for new music. The new Kaiser Chiefs album is not that great but I do like the new Black Lips, love the Strypes and Len Price 3 new efforts and admire the latest from Leon Russell. In comparing the new Beck Morning Phase to his Sea Change, I like his latest much more. But then again I find Beck Hansen to be acquired taste at times although I have come to like Mellow Gold more now than 20 years ago.
In going to Davenport I was dismayed at the fact that the place I got my DW's from Griggs Music, didn't have any DW drum sets around. I had aspirations to trade my set in for a new set but will have to wait.
With Forthcoming Trains, it was a trip to yesterday since I used the Pearl Snare for the first time since 1986 and it sounded excellent on some tracks. Somehow on the recording the Zildjians used didn't stand out in front like the Paiste set did on 30 and Pawnshops For Olivia. But I think on the next project the Z's will be the choice once again but on the next set, I'll dig out the ones that I used on The Road Less Traveled and 20. And go with a ride with a more definite ping than the old Sizzle Ride which didn't stand out very well for a ride after all. Can't figure that one out. I might unretire the Impulse Ride (used on all of the 90s albums up to Road Less Traveled).
April marked 20 years since I started up a relationship with Clarise (which ended in Valentine's Day 1998) April 12th it was when I ran into her at the old SkyWalk in down town Cedar Rapids. I could remember that day, however I can't remember her birthday at all. Her youngest turns 20 in May. Haven't seen her since picking the car up, (three car payments late and one step ahead of the Repo Man and a bad credit rating) in 99 but I do wish her well.
Let's hope for dry weather.
A tip of the cap to Diggy Kat for his help on the Soundcloud site. Of course only me and him have been the regular visitors
It didn't help that I was sick most of the month after my brother got the flu on his 50th birthday. Think I had the fucking flu in some way all month and now am in the process of using vacation time since my sick time is used up.
I think Alex at work is really jumping at the chance to get together and do some jamming. If he's real interested of starting a new band, I can probably grab Russ to do bass, provided if I get him off the golf course this summer.
I have been very selected in what I hear for new music. The new Kaiser Chiefs album is not that great but I do like the new Black Lips, love the Strypes and Len Price 3 new efforts and admire the latest from Leon Russell. In comparing the new Beck Morning Phase to his Sea Change, I like his latest much more. But then again I find Beck Hansen to be acquired taste at times although I have come to like Mellow Gold more now than 20 years ago.
In going to Davenport I was dismayed at the fact that the place I got my DW's from Griggs Music, didn't have any DW drum sets around. I had aspirations to trade my set in for a new set but will have to wait.
With Forthcoming Trains, it was a trip to yesterday since I used the Pearl Snare for the first time since 1986 and it sounded excellent on some tracks. Somehow on the recording the Zildjians used didn't stand out in front like the Paiste set did on 30 and Pawnshops For Olivia. But I think on the next project the Z's will be the choice once again but on the next set, I'll dig out the ones that I used on The Road Less Traveled and 20. And go with a ride with a more definite ping than the old Sizzle Ride which didn't stand out very well for a ride after all. Can't figure that one out. I might unretire the Impulse Ride (used on all of the 90s albums up to Road Less Traveled).
April marked 20 years since I started up a relationship with Clarise (which ended in Valentine's Day 1998) April 12th it was when I ran into her at the old SkyWalk in down town Cedar Rapids. I could remember that day, however I can't remember her birthday at all. Her youngest turns 20 in May. Haven't seen her since picking the car up, (three car payments late and one step ahead of the Repo Man and a bad credit rating) in 99 but I do wish her well.
Let's hope for dry weather.
Friday, 18 April 2014
The Townedgers Are Now On Sound Cloud
I have been very busy of late putting together the new album and after getting 7 and half inches of rain last weekend, had to deal with water in the basement issues once again so everything got put on hold. But my good friend and big band supporter Diggy Kat finally got me to open up our very own Sound Cloud site of where you can hear some of our "hits". For the most part, Diggy Kat has a his own show on Radio Buzz'd and Thursday Morning he paid tribute to The Townedgers by doing a full hour of our music!
I'm not worth a shit on MP3s but Diggy has a way to convert the music over to MP3 files. This computer does WAV and the files are way too big for me to put songs on Sound Cloud but he can. Anyway, this will be the site where we show off our wares and have new music as well as my favorites from the past on this site.
Check it out whenever you can!
https://soundcloud.com/thetownedgers
I'm not worth a shit on MP3s but Diggy has a way to convert the music over to MP3 files. This computer does WAV and the files are way too big for me to put songs on Sound Cloud but he can. Anyway, this will be the site where we show off our wares and have new music as well as my favorites from the past on this site.
Check it out whenever you can!
https://soundcloud.com/thetownedgers
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