Intro to an Outro

Just a few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to record a drum track for a short musical piece that will become an 'outro' for an upcoming podcast on Matt and Corey Talk Too Much (aka M-C-Tittie-M). I received an email from Woody with a song attached and it read 'I need a real drummer for this'. I knew by the file name who it was for - I instantly grew anxious.

Anxious because it was for Matt and Corey. These guys have been supporting the band enormously and I have been waiting for Woody to ask me to be the drummer for one of these projects but he always relies on a Machine. Getting the call for this is a big honour, one that I wanted to put my stamp on.

Woody had already recorded the guitar, bass and some hand percussion for the 30 second track that he sent me. It's a cool, funky, Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers kind of groove that I instantly loved. I listened to it over and over while thinking of drum parts in my head. Only 8 bars of that funky guitar is played, followed by the 4 bar half-time ending. There was so much and yet so little. I had to find a way to play the funk, but stay out of the way of the guitar lick while complimenting the groove. I also wanted my drum pattern to be a challenge for me, something that I would find difficult. 

The first week I spent listening and trying things (in my meager spare time), looking for the right pattern. Woody and I scheduled a Sunday evening to record the drums and although I wasn't completely sure what I wanted to do, I figured Woody would help me find 'it'. However, that Sunday started early and was unforgiving. Here's my Facebook post of the days events:

So, as you can imagine I didn't make it to the recording studio, but instead we rescheduled for the next night. So Monday evening came and I cancelled again as I was sore, stiff and tired from Sunday's work. Friday was the next possible night we could get together, and this time it happened. Through the week I was still trying to figure out what to play until Friday afternoon; I was sitting at my computer and decided to open Rhythm Rascal (the Drum app) and build a drum part the easy way. I started with the Bass Drum played on the notes matching the Bass guitar (of course) in that funk pattern. Here's what I came up with:

It seems simple enough when you look at it, and my computer had NO problem playing it so I figured my hands and feet would be accommodating. That didn't quite happen. The problem for me was that both the bass drum and the snare play sometimes on the beat and sometimes on the 'and', but the hi-hat is consistent on the 'and'. It's really just a mind game but to play it smoothly I needed to run through it several times and thus provided the 'challenge' I was looking for.

While driving to Woody's to record the piece, I still wasn't sure if that was what he was looking for, if it was going to fit with the sound he wanted. It turned out that he liked it and we went from there, working out the ending which drops to a nice slow half time denouement, then playing the whole piece through several times until everything sounded great. 
Make sure to listen to Matt and Corey's podcasts at http://www.spreaker.com/user/mattandcorey.

The last few weeks have been hard, tiring, busy and most of all - satisfying. I can't say enough about spending time with the tractor, my drums and the animals, they are all part of an enjoyable life for me. All are challenging at times and I wouldn't have it any other way.

What's ahead?  - something for Scooby Doom and Shoot the Moon will be releasing another track with accompanying video. Follow @shoothemoonband for updates.

Sun on my Face

Spring is just around the corner, I can feel it. It may be a long walk to that corner still, but Spring is coming. The signs are all there. Very pregnant goats, more eggs from the chickens and our supply of hay is significantly reduced. That and the sun actually feels warmer on the skin - the little bit of skin that is exposed.
Its comforting to know we're only a few weeks away from the melting snow, even if it means a few sleepless nights during kidding. It`s also a welcome sign of optimism after a dreadful December and January. Not only were those two months cold and snowy, but several necessary tools and appliances threw in the towel. Washing Machine, Hot Water heater, cordless drill (required more so than the washing machine), car battery and tractor clutch all packed it in for the winter, never to return. 
We all understand that these things need replacing and try to plan ahead, knowing their life-expectancy, but having them all die in such a short time span kind'a hurts. Having that warm sun on my face today dissolved some of that hurt.

One of the things that keeps me going, trudging through winter and giving me hope to carry on is .... Shoot the Moon!  This winter has been a BLAST as we worked through and recorded some new songs.  You can hear our latest single release at http://reverbnation.com/shootthemoonband. Several other originals are well on their way to being finished, including a killer track called `Remember` - watch out for that one.  

Recently I subscribed to Mike Johnston`s Drum lessons site. With that you get live lessons 3 times a week, archived lessons, Drumless tracks, Mike`s comments on anything you send him and - best of all - to be a part of Mikes Lessons Family. The Family is a Facebook group consisting of drummers sharing their practice, progress and questions. It`s the best thing on the Internet - ever. Visit http://www.mikeslessons.com to get a better idea of what I am talking about.

 

Phones and Canines

One of the latest originals to grace the mixing board in the studio has both a reggae and swing feel. And I would describe the lyrics as an adult version of Harry S. Miller's comic children's song 'The Cat Came Back'. Woody's lyrics tell a story of a girlfriend who tries to return after leaving him with the idea that everything will be back to normal. However the boyfriend moved on with his life and has since concluded the the girlfriend was not the best house-guest. 
This one has been the most troubling for me as it reflects some work of The Police but has elements of a blues shuffle and 50's - 60's swing. For weeks now I have been listening to the bed tracks that have only guitar, bass and vocals and still do not have a clear idea of how I want to approach it. I have run through it in my mind thousands of times and on the kit tens of times. But maybe that's the problem - I haven't played along with it enough to breathe with it. I really need to spend some time with the headphones and kit, go through it again and again. 

I have been able to lay down and finish tracking the drums for two other originals in recent weeks. These tunes each have different grooves, their own styles that make them stand alone. These aren't the swingy shuffle style,  but instead draw their sounds from different eras again. One from the hard rock days, when The Who, Led Zeppelin and the like were gracing the turntables and the other from a more modern time, a time when you could turn on the radio and here U2, Phil Collins, and that crowd. In both cases, there are so many things a drummer can do, or not do to put his stamp on the song. Woody provides plenty of interesting and fun phrases that capture my imagination, making this my most creative album. It also reflects all of the techniques I have been focusing on in practice. Listening back to the track after recording, I found that there were parts I couldn't believe I had played. There are a few gems, subtle drum licks that I never thought I would be able to play well enough to record but end up sounding good and fit nicely. 

I have to thank M-C-Tittie-M again for plugging us on their recent podcast. The episode 'Good Good Friends' published on the 9th of November, includes a couple of call in guests. The first guest is a writer who has a couple of cool stories and is promoting a new book. The second caller is our own Woody. He makes the guys laugh while promising to punch Lance in the throat for 'The Little Lady'. They open the podcast with the full track of our song 'Friends'.  Thanks to Matt and Corey. Listen to them at http://www.spreaker.com/user/mattandcorey

 On the farm there's been plenty to gab about, but our big event of the year was the barnyard makeover. A couple of guys with heavy machinery removed about a half acre of mud and wasted hay in the winter pen and replaced it with rocks and sand. And like any good makeover, it really improved the look of the place. I think the animals liked it too, but they pooped on it anyway. 

From this:

 To this:

For more on this, check out the Farm's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rovingwindsfarm  

Kids and Curses

Here I am again, sitting on a rock under a tree filling livestock water and putting my thoughts to 'paper'. Thoughts such as how close to hay season it is, the upcoming summer gigs and the fact that I need to upgrade my certifications for various Citrix products.

Now that most of the goat kids are weaned off the bottle and the fields have grown enough to put livestock out to pasture, we have a little more time to spend on other important tasks. The veggie garden, cheese making, bathroom mudding and preparing the machinery for making hay. There is always something on the list that gets missed or rescheduled and the priorities present themselves. But at least we can do a few more things that we want to, not just the things we need to. 

Not long ago, Woody mentioned that he recorded a short song for use as an opening theme for a couple of guys who run a regular podcast. It turns out they liked the tune and used it to open their podcasts, and in turn Woody sent them our EP (The First) and some paraphernalia. These podcasters actually enjoyed listening to our EP and played one of the tracks (Friends) on their next episode (episode 30-naan-stop). And as such, I felt I should return the goodwill and have a listen.

The show is called 'Matt and Corey Talk Too Much' (Which I have now accronized into M-C-Tittie-M). Since I had no previous experiences or relationship with them I could only use the name of the show to paint a picture of them and their conversations in my mind. I was expecting to find them as likable as a rock in a hay field and that their podcast career would last as long as an elm fence post.

On that day under a scorching sun, I really wanted to be able to say that listening to the show while mucking out the Buck shelters - the air filled with the stinky poo-gas - was appropriate.

BUT NO!!

This is not you're average 'anyone-can-podcast' podcast. These guys are funny. Not Seinfeld/Cosby funny... More like Cartman/Griffin funny.  Not for little children. In fact, they've taken the 'F' word to a new level. It's like they took training courses and practiced in front of a mirror to become the best deliverers of that term for coitus. They make it sound like a sweet Woody guitar solo after he's consumed just the right amount of hooch and herb.

Matt and Corey Talk just enough in Episode 30, leaving room for a Shoot The Moon track, one that can be found on our debut EP 'The First' which is available on our web site ShoottheMoonBand.com. Their chatter about the band after the song played is very flattering and we appreciate the perspective they provided on our sound.

So go have a listen and check out M-C-Tittie-M at http://www.spreaker.com/user/mattandcorey and follow them on twitter -  @mattandcorey

Once you've caught up with them, come see the band in July and August. We'll be at the Canada Day festivities in Orillia, Georgian Triangle Music Fest in Wasaga Beach on the 4th of July (American Independence Day), July 19th at Sticky Fingers in Barrie and August 16th at the Washago Music Festival. Follow us on facebook for exact locations and times. http://www.facebook.com/shootthemoonband.

Fistful of Punk Buried in Snow

This January has certainly left its mark in my brain. The cold, the snow and the music. It seems to have been an historical year for the combination of cold and snow, but I do recall that we had similar circumstances about 10 or 12 years ago. In Mid January, we finally started to see temperatures above -10C for the first time in weeks and there was easily 1 meter of snow in areas around the farm. Not from snowbanks - from natural snowfall and drifting. Some parts of the livestock fence was completely buried in snow. The snow and cold certainly takes its toll on the body, making all the chores seem just to require more effort and energy, causing sore and tired muscles, aching bones and end-of-day exhaustion.

Snow to the top of the fences

The Music however is a different story, almost 180 degrees opposite. We have been recording new songs for a couple of months now. Warm, airy and powerful tracks that beg to be listened to. Back in December I spent several hours working on a drum track for 'I Want What You Got', a speedy Rock song with a fistful of punk. Lots of snare licks and cymbal crashes keep it moving and building from the first flam to the last double-bass roll. I can't wait to hear it mixed and mastered.

 February and March continued in the same vein as January: snowy, cold and exhausting. March 4th marked the official beginning of 'kidding' season with a set of twins from a doe named 'P' (because she's was so small when she was born). The next ten days were hell-on-wheels as the count increased from 2 to 150 kids. We barely found time to sleep, eat or bathe. With the cold and blowing wind, we made sure all newborns were dried and nursed before leaving them with their moms. It made for long days and some that continued into the next. Glad its over for another year.

Before the madness of March, I had time to increase my music library. There are many musicians and bands that didn't catch my fancy when I was younger but are important for their contributions. I should have been listening to and practicing songs from Yes, Jethro Tull, Weather Report, Tower of Power, and Little Feat to name a few. Each of these bands featured very respected drummers whose technique, creativity and song structure were impressive and should be studied by budding drummers.

The younger Me behind the younger Lance

Another New Year

It has been 2 years now that I have been writing this blog. Two Years ago I felt I needed to improve several aspects of my musicianship. Technique and stage presence were two of the most important areas I wanted to concentrate on. Practicing will always be the way to improving technique and the same can be said for showmanship - but only to a point.
At the Christmas Jam, I had the pleasure of watching Gearl Jam perform a set. I have seen them perform a few times and I can't get tired of it. They have a great selection of songs that keep you pumped, and there's always something cool you don't catch the first time - like a good movie. The drummer (M.H.) has that wonderful stage presence that isn't an act. She obviously loves playing and singing, you can see it in her big, bright smile. Even when she has to play bass drum, shaker, high-hat AND sing, she looks genuinely happy. When I play anything, even something simple, I tend to grimace like Al Bundy when Peggy asks him to rub her tummy.  In any case, if you haven't been to a Gearl Jam show, make sure you do in 2014.

I may not have improved much as a showman, but I have up'd my game as a player. Many of the exercises I have mentioned in previous posts have had an impact on my strength, speed or control. I have also spent more time with other drummers in my area, watching them and discussing various aspects of drumming. Watching video of some the greatest drummers in the world has always been part of my improvement philosophy. Learning and practicing takes a lot of time and a long time. I still have so much to learn and practice, but when I reflect back on the previous 2 years, I feel good about where I am. 

At our last gig - New Years Eve - I felt it was my strongest performance ever. Not that it was flawless, but I had the control and strength that I have been trying to achieve for a long time. There was a distinct, tangible difference from previous shows, my arms and fingers had a level of power that I hadn't felt before. As the evening rolled into morning, Old Year into New Year, I could only think of how great the band sounded and how good it felt to be backing them up. It made me remember why I fell in love with drums in the first place. Its always the best seat in the house... and sometimes the only seat.

So what am I going to do this year to improve? Not sure of the specifics yet, but it will include watching and listening to new drummers, bands and music. Exploring new rhythms and styles should be top of the list but I still have that image thing that needs attention. 

In any case I would like to wish everyone a happy, prosperous new year and hope you set aside time for self improvement.

Change of Scenery

I have been using the same sticks for as long as I can remember. Vater Manhattan 7a. I liked the thinner shaft, maybe because my hands are relatively small.

Recently I have been getting together with another drummer who toured with a few performers back in the 70's, and although he gave up the throne and sticks for about 20 years, he still plays with smooth chops and a great feel. During our get-togethers I like to try to learn what I can from him, things like stick grip, patterns that I can work on and albums I should listen to. I take my own sticks, which have been the Vaters, but one day we swapped sticks. He immediately stated that my Vater's were heavy and he didn't like the balance. I found that his maple sticks were in fact lighter and responded differently than mine. I actually liked how they handled.
 BINGO! A revelation! The sticks I have been using for years weren't the best fit for me. With that poke-in-the-eye, I decided to hit a music store and buy a few different models to test drive.

Above are the four I picked out and at the next practice I tried and evaluated them all.

I started with the Zildjian Heavy 6A. They are laminated birch and have a short taper making them fairly heavy for their size. I found that my wrist and finger muscles tired quickly due to the weight, as I am not used to that, but I actually found that the follow through when hitting crash cymbals easier. It may have taken a little more effort to start the motion, but inertia carried the stick through the cymbal. That feeling of extra power caught my attention.

Next, the sexy palm sisters cupped the pair of Vic Firth American Classic eSticks. Magic! Although these sticks were designed for Electronic drumkits, I found the weight and response to be just right for me. They have a longer taper with a small barrel tip and are made of hickory. Rolls and paradiddles seemed to require less effort, rimshots had nice depth without the cochlea irritation I suffer from heavier sticks and there was still enough weight to make a cymbal crash fill the room.

Once my infatuation with the Vic Firth pair waned a bit, I picked up the pair of ProMark's 'The Natural' 5A sticks. I liked the rough, raw wood feel because they didn't have the slick touch of the varnished pairs, but they are a little shorter and did not have all of the strong aspects of the previous two pairs of sticks. Still, I enjoyed having them in my hands for a few songs, but I am just not sure why. They were a little lighter than the Zildjian but still heavier than the Vic Firth in the hand but the balance leaned toward the teardrop shaped tip. The ride cymbal is where they felt and sounded most pleasing. A firm but controlled touch on the bell provided a distinct sound on my Sabian Medium Heavy 20" ride.

Last up were the Regal Tip 5A drumsticks. These are thicker but not any heavier than the ProMark pair. For me, the diameter was a little too big and bulky, though the balance was nicely placed and rimshots sounded thick and deep. I felt a little awkward and fumbly playing the ride or hi-hats with a quick swing or shuffle pattern and therefore put them back in the stick holder.

Going back to the Vic Firth pair confirmed my earlier evaluation which is why I will be switching my allegiance to the American Classics. Now I'm off to the store to pickup a few more pairs because I'll be wearing these out regularly.

As I write this, the band sits at #40 on the Reverbnation Rock chart for All of Canada and I am proud albeit bewildered that we have so many great fans who enjoy our music. If you haven't already, go to http://reverbnation.com/shootthemoonband and play a tune. I think you'll like us.