STEWART COPELAND

Folks have been tossing around lots of news about bands of late, but we haven't had much in the way of updates from our own musiciany folks.

Last I remember hearing, Ska Man had two bands going (Arsenal Band and *something* 6?); blueseattle's Romanesque band had been tabled; BongoBoy had jumped on the mic; Spec A! and lots of others weren't playing as much as they should . . .

So what's the news on the various SC.net musician projects and personal endeavors out there? New bands? Instruments? Songs? Recordings? Gigs? Orchestral compositions? (What?!?)

On my end, I've got a drum pad, pair of sticks, and guitar sitting in the corner collecting dust, so I've got squat to report (pathetic) -- but some of you MUST be making better progress than I.

I suppose Rock Band accomplishments don't count, eh?

Hahahaha, not quite was I was going for EQ. Besides, the Rock Band folks give progress reports all the time.

Okay, I'll dish, because like all frontpeeps, I'm an attention whore. (I'll admit it.)

Vocals: Still don't have my own band down here in FL, but that isn't really my goal right now. Enjoying glomming (sp?) onto my friends' bands for now. Have been working closely with my good friend John Kelly's band. you can check him out at http://www.myspace.com/johnrkelly if you care to. For him, I am intermitently singing back up vocals on his orginal tunes and we throw in a couple of covers each gig that I take the lead on. We are all over the map on styles of covers, but the one that we just added that people really like is MIAB. Primarily his style is country/alternative/roots rockish. I am also likely to appear on his next CD doing some back up vocals. He and I are shortly going to begin working up some originals for me to take the lead with. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Drums: I got them for Christmas and after banging away at them fruitlessly, but happily, for a couple of months, I decided to take some lessons. This was at the urging of some fellow percussive friends who suggested that I do this before I developed bad habits. Turns out they were right. I have only had two lessons so far, but feel like I've been given the "secret decoder ring" for this discipline. Having this information is making me enjoy playing them all the more. Hopefully, this will mean that I am sucking less too.

Incidentally, this is, I think, making me a better vocalist, which is really my first love. I've confirmed what I suspected all along, which is that one can be a fully functioning vocalist without ever being much of a musician -- hell, I've been doing it for at least 10 years. Kind of like learning to speak some key lines in another language (phonetically?), but without really being able to speak the language. Anyway, the learning process is really interesting and enjoyable.

A funny thing happened during my first drums lesson, which turned out to also be a lesson in generational gaps -- and it made me laugh out loud. My instructor, a young man, and I were discussing influences and the types of music that we like. Of course, I mentioned Stewart and the trip to Savannah. So this nice young fellow asks me..."So, is that Aaron Copland's son?" While I have to give him props for knowing who Aaron Copland is, in my head I was shrieking "AUGH, How can I take lessons from a drummer who doesn't know who Stewart Copeland is?!" Anyway, since I'm still learning valuable information from this fellow, I'm going to give him another chance.

poor kid. you must school the lad chatchka!

good luck with those lessons and the singing!

Wow where to begin...

I am working on all original project right now...with touring not far off. Will be recording my album in late July.

Will be doing rehearsals at SIR studios in May for another project...something like a Led Zep meets The Police. Have no Idea what I am in for. This album will be distributed by a label and a possible tour could shortly follow.

Also working on an all acoustic album...and when not touring or recording I will be playing in a Jazz group in an exclusive club just getting ready to open.

OH YEAH...I am working on a composition for a movie called working tile is Skunk Ape or Big Feet.

And also writing and singing and composing a song in tribute to Mr. Copeland.
Should be available sometime before summer...whew!!! that's it for now.

Going back to my classical roots a bit...my husband and I are doing a "half recital" for our institution's annual Volunteer Banquet at the beginning of May. Broadway tunes, opera arias, that kind of schtuff. He's singing and I'm accompanying.

In September we're doing a full recital together at the church where he's the music director.

I can't tell you the last time I had a real studio recording gig <<sigh>>. I fear the digital age has left me behind. I haven't had a gig since ADAT was all the rage... OH! But next month I do get to teach some Methodists about sound in a little podunk church in Selinsgrove. Part of their "seminar series". I teach them all the basics and then train them on their gear, etc. Yay.

Very cool thread...good idea DM !

Great to hear all the Nutters working away.

I am way behind.

I have been working on Flag of Copelandia 2008. It was supposed to be up on Myspace today but I need a few more days to try and make this thing listenable...it's rather self indulgent. Hey! if I can I will.

Other than that I have been practicing acoustic guitar faithfully everyday. Writing and recording many "sketch" tunes. Some of those are comin soon.

and I have been rehearsing with my Irish buddy...kind of an acoustic band, so far I'm singin and playing Dobro,Banjo and Mandolin, maybe even a little bass. Oh and harmonica.( Dylan,The Pogues,Daniel Lanois and original songs)

So I hope to have the Flag song up this week.

My drumming has fell behind and when I listen to the new song I am unhappy with the drum track Stewart might hear. The first version wasn't good enough. I don't want Stewart to remember me as a basement hack.

Well, basement hack is accurate but I want the song to at least groove in fun way.

Great to read about all the players here...heh,heh.

Keep us in da loop !

BongoBecomingSelfAbsorbedAgain O !

can't wait to hear everything BB! 2007 was a klassic.

Well after years and years of pre production, I've finally bought a digital 16 track and started recording in my shed in leafy Hertfordshire just north of London!

So my mate and I have recorded two demos and stuck them up on Myspace with more to follow during the year - not really the finished article but you can get the idea. Never know we might be quite good after some singing lessons!

Hope you guys like them and great to see a lot of good stuff from you all!

Liam.

Hey, Loved PreBeer Brain! Keep it up.

Cheers!

I've been playing around on my son's drums for a couple of months, have recently started taking lessons, so that I don't have to retrain before bad habits and techniques develop. Have a cool teacher, who was at Stewstock Savannah. I play as often as possible. Just luv it.

[quote="dontboxmein"]Will be doing rehearsals at SIR studios in May for another project...something like a Led Zep meets The Police.[/quote]

I'm intrigued.


[quote="BongoBoy"]I have been working on Flag of Copelandia 2008.[/quote]

Hahaha. I was actually wondering what ever happened with that alternative version, but I didn't want to sound like I was putting on any pressure.


Nice to hear all the different things going on with folks!

I just love the idea of this thread. We are fortunate to have some very talented folks around here. Thanks for starting it, DM!!!

I don't know about very talented but im in a band called Dreamhead, drummer obviously. Were not gigging yet but plan to do so very soon. Were over on myspace: www.myspace.com/dreamheadmusic