AWAKE

It does not have to be this hard...

2011-10-15T12:12:00.002-05:00

Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.
Take your money out of the fucking bank.

Put it in a local Credit Union.

Stop giving them what they want.

Cash your stocks out.

Stop buying their products.

No more cel-phones. No more ipods. We lived without these things for centuries, we should be able to figure out how to get by for a short while.

Stop supporting this system of iniquity.

It doesn't have to be forever. If this was done for one month then what would "they" do?

Who are "they?"

Have we met the enemy only to find it is us?

Are we the tools? Maybe the things that are happening are happening because we asked for it? Is the technology running us now?

Here's a random thought that relates:

There is an ongoing debate as to whether video games are becoming too realistically violent. Why isn't the question about the environment that generates the want for the violence? Supply and demand anyone?

I have a dream, one day people will actually possess something that could pass for reasonable intelligence. Yeah, it's a dream...

It is an ongoing process...

2011-10-05T18:29:00.000-05:00

RIP Troy Davis

2011-09-22T08:04:00.002-05:00

3 Hour Tour

2011-07-13T08:44:00.002-05:00

RIP.

Bon Voyage.

There are no words...

2011-05-28T09:02:00.002-05:00

...because you said them all.

RIP

You will not be forgotten.

Death to all...

2011-05-02T08:41:00.004-05:00

Yay! Killers killing killers!

Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die! Kill! Kill! Kill! Die! Die! Die!

Right?

Endless death machines. Welcome to the world of the toothless blind.

When II

2011-04-30T12:12:00.003-05:00

When was the last time you helped something?

When was the last time you comforted something?

Do you know what help is?

Do you know what comforting is?

Moving a spider from your house back into your garden is helping.

Squashing it is not.

Comforting is listening.

Telling people what to do is not.

When?

2011-04-22T08:37:00.007-05:00

When is it your problem?

How long until the US realizes that it is going to change?

A US city has about 3 days worth of readily available food supply. 3 days. We are 3 days away from becoming barbarians.

How much water do you need to live each day?

How much plastic do you need to live each day?

When will the companies own too much?

When will people realize that you don't have to fight their wars, work for their companies, buy their products, drive their cars, eat their food, listen to their words, watch their distractions, and live their lives?

When will you begin living your life?

When will you take personal responsibility?

When will it stop being their fault?

When will we realize the problem is that we have no personal standards?

When will we accept that we were born to die? When will we start acting like it?

When will people begin realizing that manifest destiny only works in a closed thought experiment?

When will money stop being seen as an indicator of value?

BP whistleblowers dead

2011-04-08T08:45:00.001-05:00

Talk shit about the company and you get killed.

Yeah. Accidents don't happen.

March Madness

2011-03-29T08:15:00.007-05:00

Protecting civilians, right? No slaughter or mass graves! In Libya, not Afghanistan though...

Costing 600 million to boot!

And gonna kill Troy Davis huh? Good job America! Way to stay the course!

http://www.troyanthonydavis.org/

RACIST ASS FUCKING COUNTRY!

Egon Box Rebuild Pt. 2

2010-10-11T09:56:00.005-05:00

Didn't use tie wraps as I kept the runs quite short. D'arsonval meter is now responsive to frequency.

About 1/2 way there...

Egon Box rebuild.

2010-09-24T09:06:00.004-05:00

A rebuild for a buddy. Everything is nicely done but for the wiring runs, so that is what I am gonna clean up. Here's a before picture.

Wiring can be tricky, especially for a novice. I know my first projects took some rebuilding before I got use to making clean runs and nice connections. Some tips for anyone building their own project:

- Heat shrink tubing! Yes this stuff rules. Electrical tape is a temporary fix, DO NOT use it for your projects! It leaves a horrid sticky mess and will become un-sticky itself in a year or less. So heat shrink tubing all the way. Just don't forget to slip it over the wires BEFORE you solder them together. Putting some tubing over your solder joints on the pots and switches will help to stave off any disconnects.

- If the build requires some off board component mounting(ie; a resistor on the input of a jack) then make sure you cut the leads short. Cut them as short as possible. It is even better to get them attached and then cut the leads. Shorter lead length = less heat needed to solder the part and less wire to accidentally short against something else. Also some more, you guessed it, heat shrink over the part in question will help secure and prevent shorts.

- When soldering to a board; cut your leads short before soldering(not too short!) for less heat needed to flow the joint and less chance of a short to the chassis or another lead. Also, make note of the type of hole you are soldering to. Some circuit boards are printed on one side, some on both and some have 'thru-hole' construction. Make sure you get that solder flowed over the part and board and that is is a seamless joint. The thru-hole stuff is a bit trickier. It requires a bit more time, just a bit more heat. If you hold the iron on the joint you should see a series of little bubbles begin popping out of the joint. This is air escaping the joint. Air in the joint = a gap which = bad connection which = oxidizing solder joint = no workee.

- Multiple parts to the same spot. I find it best to unify the parts and THEN run a single wire to the connection spot. I have seen pieces of wire used as a bus rail and I have seen multiple part leads mashed into the same spot or same hole. Don't do this. Twist the common ends together and run a wire from there to the spot on the board. Barring this, say because of distance, attach a wire lead to each part then connect the wires together and run a single wire to the board.

- Keep your wires short. Especially for audio projects. Think about it, what is an antenna? That's right, a wire! So long wires can = signal antenna. Whoops, where are those spurious signals coming from? Also, data has to travel down those wires too. Think of it this way, you like the shortest distance between two points right? So does electricity! Also, if you are wiring a project it is good to do it in stages. In other words, work on the power supply, then the LFO, then the keyboard matrix, then whatever is next. One at a time = a bundle of wires that all relate to one area that can be bundled together with a zip tie. That makes it WAY easier to troubleshoot a problem. Say there is a problem with the LED blinker part of a circuit, if all of the wires involved in that part are bundled together then it makes looking that section over that much faster and easier.

Just some tips. These are things that I have learned by doing over and over, thought I would pass them along. Hope they help someone make an awesome project!

Stu-Stu-Studioooo oh oh oh oh ohhh!

2010-09-09T16:00:00.004-05:00

Just say the word.

Show soon

2010-09-06T22:01:00.001-05:00

Full band.
Electric.
Only 1 or 2.

Keep watching the skies...

Resounding Pause

2010-07-29T00:12:00.004-05:00

Some Pics from the last(for now) Resonant Interval.

Lance is a great guy and I wish him well in his new city. The place will be richer for having him. And we are not poorer fortunately! Trills is taking over with a new series. I'll have the info as soon as I get it.

Wonderful fun to play a solo AWAKE set. And MECA was dope, dope, dope!

T was also wonderful enough to provide me with MP3's of the show. I will have a link or something up soon to the AWAKE set.

All photos by Trills.

Hmmm...Mixer, Barbie Krunkaoke, Speak and Read, SA-20, Phaser, Stutterer, Finger Box, UE-405, 2 tape players, pre-made loop tapes, Boomerang, A/B/Y pedal. Another keyboard was there but out of batteries.

Eddie Parsec handled up on a bit of video work for me last minute style.

2010-07-26T12:31:00.001-05:00

Happy birthday sir. Orgy-porgy, Feelies, Soma...man, if you could only see this motherfucking place now...

And also, F yeah Wikileaks! Good show!

Talking Literacy

2010-07-20T09:23:00.004-05:00

Circuit bent Speak and Read

- LFO Vibrato
- Pitch Adjust
- 2 Glitch Switches
- Loop/Glitch Switch
- Loop Switch
- 1/4" Out
- Spkr Shutoff
- Reset

Speech Impedalment Mark I

2010-07-04T13:17:00.002-05:00

A 4 channel stutter pedal. Each channel is separately controllable or can be synched to a master signal. Video coming soon.

K'naan...Coke head

2010-06-11T08:48:00.002-05:00

So K'naan's song 'Wavin' Flag' was adopted as the anthem of the World Cup.

Except for one thing.

Coca-Cola asked that K'naan change the lyrics. Here is the statement:

"For its part, Coca-Cola loved the song but noted that lyrical references to “a violent prone, poor people zone” and people “struggling, fighting to eat” didn’t fit the campaign’s themes. “The crucial moment in the discussion came when K’Naan said, ‘I can take that song, refashion some of the lyrics and give you an exclusive version,’ ” Diener says. “That’s an attempt on K’Naan’s part to revitalize the song in the spirit of the World Cup.”

“I saw it as an opportunity to reach more people,” K’Naan says. “I don’t work for Coke or anything; what I do is my music. This was a really great opportunity for them to use my song, without compromising my integrity as a musician. This is what I write, these are the songs I make. I’m happy about it.”

VERY disappointing. Another artist trying to make money and the corporation steps in to fund it...with a few changes. It's not a super big deal. It's not like patrons have never done this.

But if one can't see how wrong and disappointing this is. Millions are spent on soccer and pomp and circumstance, meanwhile shack dwellers are being marginalized(as usual) people are still 'fighting to eat', Somalia is still a 'violent prone, poor people zone'

See here's the damn thing. The 'opportunity to reach more people' deal is B.S. Oh he will reach people...as a Coke advertisement. This kind of bowing to our corporate overlords(Coke is not without egregious human rights violations) is pathetically typical.

Yeah. Have fun hanging with the Black Eyed Peas K'naan...you just lost a fan...not that it should matter, you got Coke behind you now...sellout.

Schmeer

2010-05-22T06:45:00.005-05:00

Pop Smear. This is the video, by Chris Hawley and Fabian Almeda, that TWaI did the soundtrack for. We did a live version at Projected, a multimedia presentation here in Houston.

Told you so

2010-05-07T09:48:00.003-05:00

I said I would get some new damn music up didn't I? Well, here is TWAI kicking mucho ass at the Husk. In 3 parts. We were missing DR. Obinson for this one unfortunately.

To clarify, TWAI is a more or less rotating collective of musicians that was started by Eddie Parsec, Nectarine, and Rocketship Ajax. The O.G. lineup has been these 3 members consistently, with contributions from various vocalists. Phase 2 saw the arrival of DR. Obinson, Shun J, and myself. Now we are legion. Cut off one head and 2 grow in its place. H-town massif!

Ant City

2010-05-07T09:39:00.003-05:00

A video done by E. Parsec for TWaI.

Yeah. We're pretty fucking good. And getting better.

There are 6 of us on this, unless I am thinking of the wrong session, and I have only vague ideas as to who is doing what. Not that it matters.

Goodbye

2010-05-01T01:17:00.001-05:00

Goodbye Gulf.

It was nice to know you.

Blame, hatred, and anger are the predictable results.

But does it matter? Look what happened.

Bentfest 2010

2010-03-15T08:45:00.003-05:00

Due to circumstances beyond my control I will NOT be attending Bentfest this year.

Together We are Instruments

2010-02-24T12:08:00.003-06:00

I am playing with TWaI now. As well as Dave and Dj Shun. On the last Thursday of every month we are playing at the Husk. After this first one we will be featuring guest bands/musicians. Should be interesting. We have been working together a lot and have covered a shitload of ground stylistically. It seems to be some sort of psychedelic hip hop noise space swamp gumbo dub. So...there.

The Husk. 2808 Milam(between Khon's and Pho Saigon.) Doors 8-9p

We also have a gig this Sunday at the same spot. We were invited by the Resident Interval Sound Series to play. Tix are 5$. The Husk. Check the link for more details. It usually starts kind of early.

Another dead hero.

2010-01-28T11:22:00.001-06:00

RIP

Don't forget.

2010-01-18T08:49:00.002-06:00

Shit can always be made better.

Sticky Green

2009-12-16T09:53:00.003-06:00

If climate change and pollution are some of the biggest hazards humanity has faced, why is it that we only have one big conference a year? Doesn't it seem to make more sense to have a commission comprised of all the representatives from all the countries that want to participate that...I don't know...say...IS ALWAYS TOGETHER DISCUSSING THIS SHIT!!??!!

Seriously.

And I love the people(mostly affluent white Americans) who are screaming about the whole issue being a sham. I guess all I have to say is, if you don't understand the basic principle of heat accumulation then there's no hope for you. Quick experiment. Take your temperature. What is it? That's right, if you're 'normal' it's around 98.6 F. What does this prove? Well, let's see...everything puts out heat. In fact, does anything produce cold without warming something else up? Ummmmmm...nope. So heat pollution is a reality, as is drought, and so is the acidization of the oceans.

I heard some senator talking to some reporter on some station at some time some days ago. She asked him what was to be done about all of this. He said there was pretty much nothing to be done. That what the higher ups are really doing is fighting about money. The most poignant shit he said was, to paraphrase, that the solution is quite simple but would never be enacted because no one would stand for it. His solution? Tell people they just don't NEED to drive as much. They don't NEED all of the luxuries that are burying them. Yeah, right, try and tell someone not to water their lawn at noon during the summer and see what happens. Logic goes out of the window and the chest thumping freedom fighter that lies dormant in most fat, lazy, fuckheads here comes out with guns blazing. 'You ain't got no right to limit my freedom!'

Haha. We're doomed. Fuck yes.

Oh. And I promise. I'll get some music up soon. The Hard Disk in my recorder is futzed. Guess I'll go make my carbon contribution and buy a new one. Sigh.

Happy Birthday

2009-10-02T08:25:00.001-05:00

Open happiness....

2009-08-05T08:25:00.002-05:00

You must be kidding.

Cee-lo Green. How far you have fallen.

The Goodies fell off after releasing 'World Party'. I still think that release smacks of producer/label pressure. What's funny is that 'Kast released horrible bullshit easily rivaling the poor job on WP but did it just that much later that people bit. Poor Goodie. Now Cee-lo is a shill for Coke. Really pathetic.

Ah well. There's always the past.

" My mind won't allow me to not be curious
My folk don't understand so they don't take it serious
But every now and then, I wonder
If the gate was put up to keep crime out or to keep our ass in"

Have you figured it out yet Cee-lo?

Show soon

2009-05-23T10:19:00.001-05:00

The 13th of June.
Super Happy Fun Land.
More info + flyer soon.

Laters...

2009-02-10T10:02:00.002-06:00

I'll see you. I'll hear you. I'll feel you. But you'll never be here in front of me. It goes like that though. I am lucky you left that big imprint in me. Whenever I think I have something brilliant to say, I'll stop and think of what you would have said that trumped it. And with such matter of fact clarity. Such obviousness.

The universe got better because you joined it finally.

RIP Tony Patt.

My friend.

2009-02-02T10:51:00.006-06:00

I am circuit building, bending, and fixing now. You can email me at pleasewakemeup@gmail.com for prices etc...

All of these are already out there in the world. I have ONE EFX Looper waiting for labels and ready to go.

First up is the benders standby a Speak and Math. It has a glitch switch, a loop switch, 1/4" out, and a pitch mod. I didn't get crazy w/ this one as I had only the one.

Next is a bent Barbie Karaoke machine. Thanks to Pete Edwards at Casper Electronics for the inspiration for this one! It has an adjustable tape speed, tweakable echo/delay parameters, 2 1/4" mono inputs , one 1/8" stereo input, 2 selectable 1/4" outs, a gain pot, and a master power switch.
Kids keyboard. I added a switchable 1/4" out, gain switch, and pitch mod. The coolest thing is that this keyboard will record up to 7 seconds of your key presses and repeat them back to you, but only once. I added a circuit so that it will repeat the phrase as many times as you want and at user set variable intervals. Basically turned it into a little backup machine. This particular model records the presses of not only the keys, but also the drum buttons, not every model does this, so also it can sub as a super lo-fi drum machine.

EFX Looper/True bypass pedal, noise madness.

Offensive?

2008-12-10T08:59:00.006-06:00

Art and confrontation. These two things hold hands so tightly. The ideas behind visual perspective were confrontational to the old school ideas of the picture plane. All of a sudden we had real depth. Is it any wonder that modern perspective use in painting and Mr. Copernicus were contemporaries(roughly)? They both brought more depth to the universe, internally and externally. The point of some art is to challenge. Obviously not ALL art, but there is that which is intended as a confrontation.

There is an art to confrontation. And it is not easy. It would seem that it is. Of course it is easy to offend, very easy. I am poorly paraphrasing now, but here goes; George Lucas was asked to put more 'emotional' scenes in his movie by his producers. He said basically that it was too easy, take a kitten on screen, show someone murder it or appear to, and voila', an emotional reaction. What he said was much harder to do was finding a way to interact with or challenge people BEYOND the obvious evocative imagery or concepts. (Aside, yes I do realize that Lucas is an extremely sappy director, but the film I am speaking of specifically is THX-1138) Think about how many times one may be disturbed by a more abstract gesture than a direct showing. Maybe something like a David Lynch movie can express this best.

The Band Whitehouse is a good sonic jumping off point. They were challenging to people at the time. Now the same things would be passe. They started in 1980 and took their name from the Brit moral advocate Mary Whitehouse and the porn rag of the same name. As you can see, they had their goal in mind from step one. However, they of course were preceded by bands such as Throbbing Gristle, SPK, Cabaret Voltaire, etc... However, Whitehouse chose to keep hitting the same point as opposed to moving about as much as some of their predecessors. Pretty much their schtik was piercing high end noise coupled with screaming, shouting, demanding, etc... vocals filled with hyper-violent imagery(yes, yes, I am simplifying). They spoke of rape, abuse, murder, misogyny, all the stuff people love to hear. Actually, what really made Whitehouse interesting was the fact that they pissed off the very audience that was there for them. It's not always easy to piss off a noise crowd with noise. They seemed to understand that there were some things that sonics can do to people's moods, couple that with the disturbing imagery/vocals and...voila again. Whitehouse met the audience on a field of their own division, so angering audiences that they had halls torn apart, riots, bottles thrown, their car destroyed, and death threats(however, there is speculation that some of this, esp. the latter, was part of the created mystique of the band). It is interesting to note that they never got banned from their home country for any of this(unlike Genesis P. Orridge, exiled from Britain for being too 'extreme').

Nor were they banned from performing, like Japanese noise terrorist Hanatarash. No one had to sign waivers for their safety at a Whitehouse show. Whereas Hanatarash was not only a danger to his audience, but to himself(almost cut his own leg off with a bandsaw at a show{accident of course}). Point of fact is that Whitehouse, for all their results, were actually a far safer band as their imagery and sound followed a more obvious path than the other noise artists who seemed to turn up unpleasantness underneath ANY rock they turned over. It is precisely when one can be shown a convention and have the conventional ideas surrounding it be questioned or upset that one has realized a new offense. A pile of shit on the ground is one thing, not too gross. But drizzle icing over it and add candy sprinkles, that same pile of shit takes on a whole new, more specifically disgusting meaning. It is a question of perspective indeed.

What am I talking about this for? It is interesting to see that the things that people find offensive have never and will never change. We are programmed to find some things off putting. It is instinctual not to want to roll around in shit. When we see someone else doing it, it is definitely a signal to keep back. This brings us to someone like(you knew it was coming) G.G. Allin. The thing that seemed to make him viable as an artist was the fact that people came to see him directly BECAUSE he was supposed to offend. Of course this leads to a quandary. How do you remain relevant(if your intent is to offend) when people are lining up to see you be offensive? The thing he did was that he actually lived it. Like Bukowski(up to a point)(no I'm not putting them in the same league here), he was willing to actually live the life that he portrayed. Indeed it seems the other way around, he portrayed the life he lived. But was he relevant? Of course any output can be deemed worth viewing, and relevancy is a totally objective term, but were there boundaries pushed? Beyond the shit flinging? Taste is a personal judgment indeed, but what of actual merit artistically? Did he push a boundary or at least explore a concept in a way that invited more interest? Did he do something different? Not really. Which is not to deem it unnecessary, The jester always has a function. A VERY important one indeed. He shows us the things we would usually find offensive, turns them on their head, and we laugh(see a thread here?) It is important to note that many times, people are offended by that which most intrigues them(death is the easiest example here, but also think of the anti-gay rights senator busted for solicitation at an airport{and not a female pro either]), and the jester gets to bounce these ideas off of his audience. He gives them an excuse to deal with what would normally be shunned. Allin definitely came off as more of a jester than a scientist.

We come back to Whitehouse. Scientists at one point, I believe. But maybe their field, like the Helio-centric theory, is not really culturally as important as it WAS because they helped to bring it into mainstream consciousness. And of course it is hard to keep pointing and screaming at the same thing and have an audience keep paying attention. The audience for Whitehouse now has become an audience that is going to the occasion because they know PRECISELY what to expect. now they are more of a, daresay, pop band(for a brief diatribe on noise going pop, see earlier posts). No, this obviously isn't a meticulously researched thesis, just thinking. Love to do it.

Old, old, old...

2008-11-24T20:29:00.002-06:00

This is from sometime long ago. When I first got the MPC. I was to do a show and needed something to play between load times and some added texture. I recorded this direct to the Minidisc player, everything was improvised using the samples I recorded and loaded. The track was then cut up on the Minidisc player.

Mixer

Acoustic and Acoustic-ish

2008-11-19T11:13:00.010-06:00

From a few posts below. Details about these 2 sets.

Porch Session 1

ACOUSTIC
09/13/2008 9:00 AM(or so) - Right after Ike.
Back porch of the crib
Me and Eddie Parsec from Together We are Instruments.

Setlist:

FMB II
Idrink
Whattanight
Redshift

AWAKE : Acoustic guitar, Vocals
Eddie Parsec : Djembe, Modified Keyboard, Mini Kaoss Pad
Recorded live into two unmodified Barbie Karaoke tape recorders.

Pluckluck House Party

ACOUSTIC
08/31/2008 05:30 PM - Potluck house party
Lineup :
Robt. Ellis
AWAKE
Corey Derden
Airon Paul Dugas

I have a recording of the whole show. It's fucking amazing. The other acts basically humbled me with their prowess. And the band brought it hard again as usual, so we sound great too. Thanks to Trey who developed this horrid huge blister on his left finger from the Upright. JD recorded this. JD and Stacey are wonderful people and great hosts.

Noixe

2008-11-19T09:24:00.006-06:00

Live at Walters 10-18-07

Alarma!
AWAKE
Rusted Shut

1st time seeing Alarma! They were tight.

Best Rusted Shut show I have seen.

AWAKE was me and Trey this time.

Enjoy.

Hooray.

2008-11-10T16:07:00.002-06:00

Hooray to 4 more years of lies and injustice.
Hooray to more thievery and murder.
Hooray to stupid shit ideas of change.
Hooray to more anti Palestinian sentiment.
Hooray to pro war stance.
Hooray to economic policies that support inequalities.
Hooray to conspicuous, thoughtless, consumption.
Hooray to the corporation.
Hooray to pulling the wool over the eyes of the public again.
Hooray to the continuation of the injustice system.
Hooray to control.
Hooray to the yes/no mindset.

...

2008-11-03T13:48:00.006-06:00

What have we done?
What have we done?
Fostered sickness, avarice, greed, resentment, humiliation, Degradation, enslavement, ignorance, rapaciousness, and murder.
What have we done?
What have we done?
Created art, science, language, worth, liberty, and communication.
What have we sacrificed?
And what for?
What do you want?
To be validated?
Are the festering sores gouged in our planet not enough?
Must you write your name across the landscape so indelibly?
What have we forgotten?
Community, responsibility, affection, pride, respect, and most important,
Most important of all,
Justice.
Not justice for those who participate in wanton hedonism and Destruction.
Justice for life itself.
We are becoming anti-self.
Anti-mind.
Anti-life.
What do you want?
To be venerated?
At the cost of justice?
Is it so important to be heard?
Listen then.
Shut up and listen.
You will hear yourself.
The ultimate judgment.
Look around you.
What have we done that is so just?
What makes the difference?
You want to be a rock star?
Fuck your rock stars.
The music doesn't come from them.
It was always here.
You want to be a businessman?
Fuck your businessmen.
The value doesn't come from them.
It was always here.
You want to be a prophet?
Fuck your prophets.
The idea doesn't come from them.
It was always here.
Why is it so important to have the masses hear your words?
Do you think they have not been said before?
You want change?
Ha.
No you don't.
Change comes from within?
Ha.
Tell that to a bullet perforated body.
Tell that to a herd of cows.
Tell that to your so-called god.
Tell that to a slave.
You want people to listen to you?
Say something relevant.
Better yet.
Act different.
You can proselytize all day and night.
You will be ignored.
Just as this is being ignored.
You say this is too serious?
Life is serious business.
If you don't take it seriously.
If you don't act responsibly.
If you don't thirst for justice until you die.
You are wasting the one thing given.
Your mind.
Find justice now.
Look hard.
And realize that the replication and mass distribution of your voice Only adds to the chorus of wastrels that sing day and night to the Unconcerned.
Willful ignorance is no excuse.
Gurus will not save you.
Religion will not save you.
Science will not save you.
A few moments of fleeting pleasure will not sate you.
If you are not taking steps to move forward.
To take responsibility for your life and actions.
Then you are but a stumbling block.
Impeding true moral progress.
These atrocities are in your name.
When you do nothing you are an accomplice.
Complicit in the very actions you rage against.
You can't vote for change.
Or we would have voted ourselves out of the briny depths millenia Ago.
We are out of balance.
Anti-life.
And there shall be a reckoning for us.
And it shall be just.
But you won't see it as such.
You will wonder:
What happened to my CD's
My DVD's
My PC
My AC
My happiness
My cheesebuger
Where did my Sunday drive go
My pets
My food
My life?
A life that you have been careless and wasteful with.
People are asking these questions now.
And bemoaning the fact that life is not fair.
Yes it is.
It is just.
It is a swift and brutal justice.
And all your constructs of plastic and metal
Your houses of chipboard and Tyvek
Your bank accounts
All your lies will fall around you like ashes
Once the fiery, stifled mouth of justice
Opens
And consumes you.

Band break

2008-10-02T12:36:00.002-05:00

I have to write. And take care of other shit. So the band side is on hiatus for now. New LP around Feb. or so. Different direction. New shows to follow. Should be fun.

Will figure out what to do with the now 3(!) unreleased live recordings.

Thanks to all who support.

Doug

Live

2008-10-02T12:10:00.007-05:00

Played a few great shows since I last posted:

ACOUSTIC
09/13/2008 9:00 AM - Right after Ike.
Back porch of the crib
Me and Eddie Parsec from Together We are Instruments.

Setlist:

FMB II
Idrink
Whattanight
Redshift

AWAKE : Acoustic guitar, Vocals
Eddie Parsec : Djembe, Modified Keyboard, Mini Kaoss Pad
Recorded live into two unmodified Barbie Karaoke tape recorders.
I have a recording of this. I'm trying to figure out what to do with it.

ACOUSTIC
08/31/2008 05:30 PM - Potluck house party
Lineup :
Robt. Ellis
AWAKE
Corey Derden
Airon Paul Dugas

I have a recording of the whole show. It's fucking amazing. The other acts basically humbled me with their prowess. And the band brought it hard again as usual, so we sound great too. Thanks to Trey who developed this horrid huge blister on his left finger from the Upright. JD recorded this. JD and Stacey are wonderful people and great hosts.

ACOUSTIC
08/29/2008 08:00 PM - Avant Garden
Lineup:
Together we Are Instruments
AWAKE
Thomas Ayersol
J. Thelonious

J's first show and he did very well. Thomas Ayersol I had never seen live and it was a bang up job on his part. He parties in a way I really enjoy, listen or fuck off. Speaking of that, Together were the most together I've seen them yet. They get better every single time. And they were great when they started, so... We did good.

ACOUSTIC
08/03/2008 01:00 PM - Shady Tavern
Secret Saturday Showcase.
Mucho bands.
They ruled. Highlights were Corey D, Robt. Ellis, And the Mathletes. Oh and it was No surprise that Nosaprise killed it. Thank you again veggie chili dog man, you're my hero.

Also, this marked the first of the acoustic sets.

06/15/2008 09:00 PM - Rudyards
Lineup:
Act of God
AWAKE
Dysrhythmia

Intimidated? A bit. Really qualified musicians and hella nice guys.

06/09/2008 08:00 PM - Boondock’s
Description:
AWAKE
Wicked Poseur

They are intense. My brain is getting fuzzy going so far back.

05/31/2008 09:00 PM - Mink Backroom
Lineup:
The Mckenzies
The Gold Sounds
AWAKE

The Mckenzies always bring the party. This was no exception. And The Gold Sounds rocked it pretty damn hard too. I broke my own glasses.

05/10/2008 08:00 PM - The Mink Backroom
Lineup:
Golden Axe
AWAKE
The Jonx

Was this a good lineup? Gee, whadda you think?

04/19/2008 02:00 PM - Secret Saturday Show
Shit I can't remember now...
Judas Bear came back from tour and played.
Was there anyone else?

WHAT?????

2008-05-24T12:10:00.002-05:00

I was poking around the net and happened across a review of an album. I won't mention the band as it is irrelevant(and besides...I don't like 'em anyway...). But the reviewer(who will also remain namless...no free publicity for this.) had this to say in summing up the LP.

"They set out to make a musical equivalent of a work of art — and succeeded."

Let's see. Hmmm...

ART:

1. the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

2. the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria; works of art collectively, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings: a museum of art; an art collection.

3. a field, genre, or category of art: Dance is an art.

4. the fine arts collectively, often excluding architecture: art and architecture.

5. any field using the skills or techniques of art: advertising art; industrial art.

6. (in printed matter) illustrative or decorative material: Is there any art with the copy for this story?

7. the principles or methods governing any craft or branch of learning: the art of baking; the art of selling.

8. the craft or trade using these principles or methods.

9. skill in conducting any human activity: a master at the art of conversation.

10. a branch of learning or university study, esp. one of the fine arts or the humanities, as music, philosophy, or literature.

11. arts,
a. (used with a singular verb) the humanities: a college of arts and sciences.
b. (used with a plural verb) liberal arts.

12. skilled workmanship, execution, or agency, as distinguished from nature.

13. trickery; cunning: glib and devious art.

14. studied action; artificiality in behavior.

15. an artifice or artful device: the innumerable arts and wiles of politics.

16. Archaic. science, learning, or scholarship.

Sorry. Just the dumbest thing I have read in a minute. Pretty idiotic statement. And it's from a 'professional' writer... Am I supposed to know what they meant? I do, it means you're lazy. The review was as pointless as most, not much in the way of actual assessing of the work, mostly just frivolous trivia about the band and their lives. Whatever. I know it's common. But damn that is an asinine thing to say.

Pics of the studio/workspace.

2008-05-14T11:30:00.003-05:00

Now I have shelves, so there is a bit more organization. I'll post more later.

What's the difference?

2008-03-27T12:38:00.002-05:00

Been having discussions with various friends about art(shock!). Some thoughts that circulated:

- Why is it common for people to equate art that they do not like with the personality, intelligence, etc... of the artists themselves? Just because you may dislike someone's film, or painting, etc... doesn't seem to give reason to judge the person on a fundamental level. I see/hear this happening often enough that it bugs me I guess. Yet we can overlook Miles Davis being a dick BECAUSE of his music, so the opposite isn't always in effect.

- "I don't like it so it isn't art!" mentality. Another extremely common mentality it would seem amongst appreciators of art. I guess it's obvious how lame that sentiment is, but it seems to be another VERY common attitude. And tragic. Sure it's good to know what you like and don't like, but leave some room to grow. I used to hate tomatoes, now I love them. I didn't force it, but I didn't refuse to try them. I only disliked the raw fruit anyway, so I knew that I was reacting to a specific perspective and therefore allowed for the possibility of eventually liking tomatoes. This is being open to growth.

- The LCD factor. What is this? Mass appeal. Lowest common denominator shit. This is tricky. So what if your art has mass appeal? In other words most everyone enjoys it. What does that mean/translate into? A few different ideas surrounding this have come up. And these are obviously not the only way to view the issue, this is just some of what came up:

1) If a majority enjoys the work it may be a sign that the art is extremely non-threatening or conservative in message or medium. I believe it is quite possible to couch a difficult message in a easy to swallow medium. The inverse is true, but harder to create mass appeal with as the medium itself would be off putting.

2) The cheeseburger effect. Ok, so when you go to a fast food place, no one is fooling anyone. You know and they know that the meal you will eat is not great. It's not fresh, not very sanitary, not very tasty, etc... When one goes to, for example, Taco Hut, one does not expect authentic mexican food. It is a shallow representation of the idea that is also cheaper, faster, and more 'regulated' in terms of taste(won't taste different from one location to the next). So how can one expect depth or variety from fast food art? IE. the shit has been processed and quality controlled, group approved and force fed. There's no democracy on the radio(am/fm) so it is a medium that, at this point, forces people to accept the output as listen-able and 'good'. But of course everything has it's place...

3) Zeitgeist. Right place, right time, right sound. Is this luck? Sometimes, but some artists(the really perceptive ones) seem to be out there at the front lines of experience feeding us the right thing at the right time. Seeing and anticipating.

4) Eventuality. Take the Flaming Lips as an example(there have been others to be sure...). They plugged away at what they wanted to hear for a LONG time. It seems pretty inevitable that anyone that does this with dedication will cover some ground that is enjoyable on a widespread level. The Boredoms are another great example. Compare "Doo Ya Tari" with "Vision Creation Newsun". Definitely NOT speaking of the whole monkeys and typewriters thing here. I am speaking of INTENT, not random chance.

- "It's experimental, I don't have to be responsible for what it means/says to anyone" Ok. But why participate in art then? It would SEEM the major impetus behind art is, at base, communication. Sure, one can communicate the idea of indifference to the audience, but even that becomes a pose. It would seem that an artist then has a RESPONSIBILITY to the art, the audience, and themselves. An artists job ultimately is to output for others to input. But yelling 'fire' in a crowded theatre is not covered under free speech, it's just irresponsible. This idea applies to art then. And most especially to experimental material.

Thoughts. Just thinking. Love to do it.

2008-03-19T11:56:00.001-05:00

Dave does what he does SECOND best...ordering a drink.

Derek is so bad ass he bursts into flames at the shows!

Trey's split personality

Dave doing what he does best...getting at it!

I'll shred now.

Bending/creating

2008-03-13T11:26:00.003-05:00

Lately I have been doing a good deal of research into modification of existing instruments/toys and building instruments (electronic for the most part). This is beginning to meet with a modicum of success. I hope to have a few examples up here soon. I have a pretty fine stockpile of gear waiting to be modded. So I expect I will begin selling some stuff as I finish it. More about this later. Meanwhile, here are some links for more info to maybe get you started on this too.

This dude is the jam!

Great site for modding

Reed Ghazala, the Godfather of Bending

Nicolas Collins, a bad mother...

Show

2008-03-13T10:10:00.004-05:00

March 9th 2008
Walter's

AWAKE
Estradasphere
Secret Chiefs 3

Wonderful show. Man, talk about skilled musicians! Everyone was damn good! And Trey Spruance is great and accommodating to people with questions.

Oh yeah. Did I mention we killed it? Fuck yes we did. We set up in front of the stage as Estradasphere/SC3 had a TON of stuff on stage. Easily our best show yet.

Pictures will be forthcoming as well as some video clips. Merch coming someday.

2 Shows

2008-02-29T17:38:00.002-06:00

Rudyard's
Feb 22nd.

Great show!

Potbelly were on their 1st show at a venue, and you couldn't tell. Quite together. Nice job guys!

Kvalla. Kvalla kills. Great band, great sound, and gotta love that bassist! I don't think I've seen a person smile on stage that much ever!

We did well. Once again I'm lucky to play with guys this good.

Walter's on Washington
Feb 16th

What a great show!

Lineup:

AWAKE
Ringo Deathstarr
For That Day
Co-pilot

If you missed this, you blew it. It was awesome! All the bands rocked. 'Ringo Deathstarr' from Austin had some great, loud, shit that made me have to stare at some shoes for a bit. 'For That Day' from Toronto. What can I say? Wow, that's what. Totally pro and they weren't even playing on their own gear. Great songs and intense! 'Co-pilot' are from Houston, but I never knew these guys. How could I not though? They are fucking awesome! A great way to end the night. Fucking symphonic. Don't miss these guys next time. Seriously

It was an honor to share the stage with musicians of so great a calibre as these guys. And a privilege to have such perfect musicians as Trey, Dave, and Derek playing alongside me(holding it down).

Reviews

2008-01-17T10:56:00.000-06:00

From Warren Ellis:

He put 'Whattanight' on his website for a minute. This is what he had to say.

' AWAKE are, if you like, evil shoegaze. They're the people who fucked shoegaze in the night, puked blood in shoegaze's toilet, made a shank in shoegaze's bathroom and cut shoegaze's boyfriend, and then left before dawn with all shoegaze's money. There's just something sleazy about the sound of "Whattanight" that you rarely hear in the field.'

From John Nova Lomax :

He attended a Secret Saturday show we played(12 Jan 08). He gave a great review to Shady Tavern and had a bone to toss to us as well.

'...sludgy, pummeling rock'

Shhh... It's a secret!

2008-01-16T12:12:00.000-06:00

AWAKE played at Shady Tavern (1206 20th) in the Heights on the 12th January 2008.

It was great! Our new drummer Derek kills it! It is an honor to be playing alongside musicians of this calibre!

Also playing that day was local hip hop artists Fat Tony and Smash Bro. Fucking great as well! Refreshing, not a bunch of guntalk/rims, etc... Rhymes were tight and the energy was definitely there. Look for these guys to be blowing up and if you get the chance to see a show, don't blow it.

http://www.myspace.com/yeahobi2 FAT TONY'S MySpace

Then the 2 mc's were joined by another guy for some freestyles, he was game tight as well and whereas the songs in their set showed a careful crafting of lyrics and structure, their freestyles were wild and off the chain! Spitting fast and truly freestyling, great! They were kind enough to let yours truly handle the mic for a minute. The beat was cut off to announce that a car was blocking somebody, but prolly a good thing as it cut me off and I didn't have the chance to blow it!

The last act was a local toaster whose name escapes me(Don Dadda?) but he was tight. He was accompanied by the owner of his label(Lions Blood), 'Mr. Belvedere'(aka Ginger Bread Man). Both put on an enjoyable show showcasing a different take on hip-hop than the previous group. Once I find a link for Lions Blood productions, I'll post it.

And Shady Tavern itself is a freaking great place! DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO ROLL OUT ON SATURDAYS(if you don't work Saturday as I do...)! You will not regret it! Beer, Wine, BYOL, and a cat cooking Gardenburgers(thanks so much! From one veggie to another!). Support this shit! This is possibly one of the cooler things to do in this city!!! JD rocks!!!!

Secret Saturday Shows.

Thanks to all involved!

Seastack EP

2008-01-01T11:00:00.000-06:00

DL the Seastack EP.

Out on the CGR net label.

Lyrics:

FMB II

Floating, falling, moving faster
Dreams of Change and feelings followed
Rivers rise and seas at high tide
Rest your head upon my shoulder
We shall watch this old explosion
Naming the debris that's left
Crashing waves of green now paper
Copper wire nervous systems
Stone mapped out form arteries
Pumping platelets made of steel
Optics spring from vacuum tubes
Phallic pushing back the sackcloth
Stars now big and earth made small
Sand made clear can still be blown
Glassy eyed and taking pictures
Buying pasts and trading futures
Bony fingers rise from earth
Trying to escape the tomb
When was it you got so big?
Opinions hang like clouds of gnats
Burning down the paper people
Lobotomized by CRT's
Desires sold in two dimensions
Wingless flies crawling on windows
Babylon just keep on growing
Broadcasting the new tradition
Words that cut like whips on flesh
Feel me burn now ashes left

It's Surge

It's
Not a condition
It's
Just a way to feel
It's
Not a disease
It's
Just a means of defense
It's
Not an obstacle
It's
Just a chance to pause
It's
Not opposition
It's
Just a need to expand
It's
Not a separate thing
It's
Just so far away
Can't feel anything

I have an answer
To why should/does the plant surge
And try so
And dry so
And cry so

Happy Birthday LP

2008-01-01T10:57:00.000-06:00

DL the Happy Birthday LP

The Plant EP

2007-11-24T22:21:00.001-06:00

DL the Plant EP