Record breaking!

So I started my extra top secret project, I have to say I am very pleased with the first try. I bought some cheap records from this local record shop I frequent (one of them turned out to be a Foreigner one). The one I used tonight was a underground rap group from Miami. The single mentions the word black so I rolled with that. I went off this song from The Sword called "How Heavy This Axe", which is amazing. It's these black metal skeleton warriors with broad axes in the middle of a thunderstorm (cause it's been raining non-stop here in Tampa).

What did I learn?

White out = Ink
Ink = "Black" out
I have to get some dip white out or white opaque ink to do my next ones. I have some gruesome idea's in my head for the other two I am working on.

I also finished my second (or maybe first) piece in that 1860's series of illustrations. I am really happy with it, it looks great, I may not ink it, I may ink it, I know I am framing it.

For now I am out, going to lay down, play some Warriors Orochi 2, watch some Hulk and go to bed.

I may be opening a venue...with some help.

I have been booking shows for almost 3 or 4 years now in the Tampa Bay area. For that same span of time I have always wanted to open up my own venue. There are some great venues, but not many are left in Pinellas County, most are at opposite ends. In St Pete, most are on Central, theres one or two in Pinellas Park area and then there is a few at the north end. Nothing in the middle of the county.

Another issue is the constant demand for shows from a bloated scene. There isn't enough venues to meet the demand for shows of legit bands. I've heard from so many clubs that they can't handle the overload of emails from young bands wanting to open a show for a 15 minute time slot. It's hard for the clubs because when they do book them they may not even draw, and it's hard for the kids because some of the really good bands don't get noticed.

I have talked with a few close friends of mine that I have known for a good while and we have come to the conclusion that the Clearwater/Largo area needs a venue for the young extreme acts. All of us have been in the scene for about 20 years combined. We have all decided be it one time only, be it a sporadic amount of events, or be it a permanent main stay. We are currently looking into opening a venue.

Nothing is confirmed, we are still in the talking stages right now, but we have all decided to pursue this in one way or another. An if this goes through I have been asked to be the booking agent for the venue. So I will be looking into alot of the bands in the Largo/Clearwater area for this.

Work completed.

After some commotion with a client I have finished my work for two others.

Underoath Mom 0 - Me 1

I have a funny story for you if you don't mind. I don't know if you're too familiar with the band Underoath or The Almost, both of them are from my home town. One of the members Aaron Gillispe frequents a bar that local bands play at in a little town called Tarpon Springs, FL. So last weekend my band was playing at this bar with quite a few christian bands. I believe us and a NY style Hardcore band were the only bands that weren't. I my self am a LaVeyan Satanist and many of the lyrics I write are about those sort of ideals.

So Aaron is there promoting his new clothing line, he's not playing, he's just feeding off the scene, like the grammy award nominated sleaze needs anymore money. So I have a favorite shirt that has a picture of Mary holding the shroud of Jesus, her eyes are barred out and it says below the picture "Boycott this Product." I find out that his wife, younger brother and mother are at the show. Our merch guy has this shtick where he says, want a free shirt? An hands them a sticker and puts it on their shirts, pretty funny.

His mom and Brother don't get that I am in the band puts it on. So we play and get off the stage, his mom comes up to me pulls me aside "What does that shirt mean to you?", I tell her I don't believe in god and religion is an industry, simple enough. She asks how I think we got here, I tell her big bang and Darwin. So the rest of the night she gives me the most dirty looks, she stands behind a corner looking right at me like she want's to confront me the whole night. She goes driving off, I notice she STILL had our sticker on our shirt, tell the guys that weren't there about it and we all get a good laugh.

Still the speech and you aren't smart enough to take it off.

Some idea's I have had rattle around in my head.

Lately I had a revelation. I want to learn how to sing, like really sing, not passable Nickelback shit, like full on Ronnie Van Zant and Avett Brothers singing. I, of all places, have been looking on Youtube and think I have some good ground to start on, I have to get use to the fact I can't EVER sing too high, I am a baritone, but I can hold long notes, I already know how to do breathing controles. Just have to learn to do this while playing guitar.

Here is the kicker, I want to do this because....I want to do some sort of bluegrass/country music. Not Toby Keith crap, but like old outlaw stuff. But, in a bluegrass format, like Old Crow Medicine Show, Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin style stuff. I think I'd be good at it, and with my talent, I could make some money, maybe make it big. All to supplement my other endevors.


Just a thought.

Beautifully Depressed.

So this week I am probably jammed back about a month or two worth of work, I'll be making about 2 grand hopefully. I have been so busy with my life and work that I haven't had much time for this, which is a shame. I have been sort of brooding. I need to release some of my musical ambitions but I can't get them out from time restraints and the lack of equipment that befell my band. I need to get out MY feelings in sonic way, it will soon come about. About 10 or so bands need work that I will be doing, 3 or 4 of which is illustrated. Here's to that!

What a week.

Crazy last week, got a lot of work done, what is crazy though is I have even more work after that. I have been flooded with Emails for work. It is poor timing though because of my trip too Las Vegas within the coming weeks. Sam and I celebrated our 6 month Friday, it was a great day, she loved the gifts I got her, I can't believe she actually got me the Bowen Deadpool statue I wanted, she also got me a lot of great things, including some paint and pads I have been needing, and one thing I thought she'd never touch, CAPTAIN AMERICA! Haha, we went out to Tarpon that was alot of fun, had lunch at Molly Goodheads, Dinner at Joes Crab shack, it was a great day, capped off with her spending the night, god that was amazing. Band is doing really well, going really quick with Ryan, we are booking shows now, ordering shirts next week. I am excited for everything!