Download My Brand New Instrumental Rock Track ’iHeart Guitar’ For Free Via My MySpace!!!
Current mood: iHeart Guitar
Category: iHeart Guitar Music
Morning, Afternoon & Good Evening to you all, wherever you are, whatever the time of day is. Right now I'm not sure, because I've been up nearly 24 hours straight finishing off the recording and mixing of My Brand New Instrumental Rock Track 'iHeart Guitar'.
Here's the sweet part, it's a FREE DOWNLOAD via My MySpace!!!
Go ahead, download it now, whack it on your iPod, email it to all of your mates, it's yours to keep.
Please feel free to let me know what you think of it. This is the 1st Instrumental Song I've created since the bastard that is tendonitis decided to crash the party. Personally, I'm quite pleased with the track. It's fun, energetic and it defines what I love and what my passion is, Guitar and rock n roll. In anycase, what do you think?
If you can't download the track from the player, please send us your email address and I will send the track over to you via email.
Also, send us your comments or leave them on this blog for the world to see.
FYI: All the instruments, recordings etc were single handedly [/pun] done myself.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the tune and don't forget to DOWNLOAD IT!!!
xxx
Ben. x
P.s: I may be uploading a video of me playing iHeart Guitar on to YouTube this week. Keep a look out for it.
New Live Pics Online + The G Casino Aftermath Blog!!!
Current mood: I’ve Got 99 Problems But A Bitch Ain’t One!
Category: I’ve Got 99 Problems But A Bitch Ain’t One! Music
Ello Ello Ello to everyone reading this, I see we're in Glastonbury season again, given the weather. British weather ladies and gentlemen, best in the world!!
I returned from the West End just a few hours ago, had some dinner, a fucking late dinner at that, and thought I would enlighten you all with the after events of the night just passed.
Last night was my 1st actual gig in a rather long time due to my Tendonitis arriving like a bad case of the flu, although the flu has the tendency to leave after a few weeks, but anyway, The G Casino, a nice intimate venue in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, and for anyone who likes a bet there was a roulete table not too far away.
A bit of a smallish turn out, but considering that Glastonbury kicks off today/tomorrow, as well as the Football being on, Def Leppard & Whitesnake being in town, Wanted premiering up the road and Friday being pay day, nonetheless, I wholeheartedly enjoyed myself.
The sound was top notch, met two other fabulous singer/songwriters in Jessie Grace & Tom Ritchie, both whom have incredible voices. It was great to meet them as well as a few others including John & Sue, who run the OXJAM set-up.
My set list was a mixture of covers and originals, as follows;
1) Working Class Hero (John Lennon)
2) Forget The Unforgettable
3) Violet Hill (Coldplay)
4) Journey Home
5) 2nd 1st Love
6) The Theory Of Life
7) Lucky Man (The Verve)
I've also uploaded some new pics of myself, taken live whilst playing my set. Please feel free to leave your comments and thoughts both here and on the pics themselves, which you'll find in my photo albums on my MySpace.
One more thing to add, I'll be uploading a brand new instrumental rock track onto MySpace very soon, but not just that, it will be a free download for all to own via MySpace.
Have a good weekend everybody, roll on August, but first, Glastonbury baby!!!
I open this blog with a line I shall quote from none other than myself
"Fuck going to Download, the real talents at the London Guitar Show", and who the hell's gonna argue with the line-up of Sheehan, Gilbert, Malmsteen & Satch among others?
I would like to point out that I've been up all night talking to a lovely lady (she knows) then making cd's to give to peeps, all the while watching Quadrophenia. I fucking love that film!
So yeah, who reading this loves London Transport? If you haven't experienced Londons Underground, let me sumarise it for yu in two words, concistantly inconsistant. Hal;f the train lines were suspended on a saturday, of all days. How retarded. So rather than doing the simple journey of hitting the Jubilee line, yours trulyy and many others had to faff about with the DLR, what fun and games that was.
After all that jazz, I get to the ExCeL about 10 a.m, fucked by the way, I'm literally relying on my lucozade to keep me going. Good ol' sugar, does it's job better than any actual drug will do. The thing about the show this year was that it was split into 3 seperate areas instead of two, making my tired ass really confused as to where the hell I should be queuing, but common sense prevailed and I got a decent spot at the live stage in preperation for the Guitar Idol Final.
Starting about 10:50 (ish) and going on through till midday were some proper talents. In order of playing were as follows.:
1) Jas Morris
2) Chris Feener
3) Marc Playle
4) Lyle Watt
5) Peter Petchalov
6) Fernando Miyata
7) Daniele Gottardo
8) Muris Varajic
9) Gustavo Guerra
10) Tom Quayle
11) Ben Randall
12) Gustavo Di Padua
And the winner is.................................................Gustavo Guerra. Not only did he win the Judges vote to win this comp, but he did so by winning the only voting and therefore the people vote. Well deserved, though he didn't play the composition he entered the competition with, he played one of his most recent songs. I thought this was abit odd considering the basis of the comp, but at the end of the day, he still deserved to win, although I personally thought Di Padua and Miyata were right up there with him to win. Many congratulations to GG for winning, Lyle Watt as the runner-up, Ben Randall for the Under 18's Prize and for the rest for making it to the finals and supporting the cause.
Disregarding technical issues as you'll always get with something like this the organisation was a success despite the flaws aired amongst the competition community and a certain famous guitarists management leaving it till the last minute to fuck things around for James and the boys, who collectively did a fucking brilliant job and deserve not just a round of applause but some cuban cigars. Maybe the south american lads can pick up some en route eh?
Once the comp finished, I decided to take a wee stroll round the show, and while I thought it was "good", I'm never one of these people that turn up at these conventions with the intention of buying anything, because I already have the perfect set up as far as I believe and, well, I don't need to spend £10 on D'Addario strings when I can get them for a fiver in my local guitar shop. Talk about fucking inflation, it's shit like this that make me wonder where the value went in an extra "value" meal in Smackronalds. That was my best example of the rise of inflation on 2 hours sleep, go figure.
Anyhoo, managed to meet up with the man like James whilst trying and failing in vain to find the Hughes & Kettner stand, and off we went to grab a drink, on the way bumping into Fernando Miyata and then later on bumping into Marc Playle (who was holding a pizza right in front of me, man, I was so hungry!) and Gustavo Guerra back at the alloutguitar.com stand. All very pleasant and upstanding gentlemen, to which I gave out some cd's too, with a couple of Miyata's friends asking me to sign my own cd's. That was pretty col.
Here's something rather interesting that happened, and trust me, this was fucking hilarious. For those of you who have been on the alloutguitar.com forums and know of that whatsgoingons within the Guitar Idol comp, you will no doubt be familiar with 'The Mattrach Mafia', as they are now going to be referred to as after this incident.
Around the allouguitar.com stand were myself, James Edwards and a couple of the other lads from the forum and then appeared some random geeza, 'bout 5"4, 40's/50's and grey hair, he went up to James and was acting abit odd to say the least. He approached James and asked him who won the Guitar Idol competition and then asked who came second, but when James replied "Gustavo Guerra" he started saying "so he came 2nd then?". At this point James has looked at me like he's seen a bear shitting in the vatican. He replied to this random geeza "No, Guerra won, Lyle Watt came 2nd", the guy then said "Nah, Mattrach won".
AND THEN THE FUN BEGINS, AGAIN!!!
I then aptly stepped in with my East London charms of "Mate, what are you chatting about? Did you not see the final?" He then responded with "It was a fix". My reply, "Umm, nah mate. James said, rather obviously, "How was it a fix?". And that's the thing here people, how in the name of boris johnson was it a fix? What's there to gain from fixing a non-profit guitar competition. The fucking idiots that I have to share oxygen with, it's ridiculous.
The geezer then just started to walk off, dimissing James and my rather frank responses and muttering "Fix mate, was a fucking fix, Mattrach deserved it".
I'm gonna publically go on record here with the folowing. I don' know who that geezer is, and quite frankly I couldn't give a baboons left testicle who he fucking well is, but if you're reading this, read this very slowly so that your brain absorbs every syllable and every word in it's completion so that you may be able to comprehend simple logic. Shut your noise and quit your fucking moaning. Mattrach didn't make it because the Judges said so. There were 16 Judges in total, do you really think foul play was involved with him not making the finals? Hardly, he just didn't make the cut, like I didn't make the cut, like Steve from Meltdown didn't make the cut, as well as Lavaman, CELTA, Ozielzinho and others. Seriously, you and your clique, if you don't like the truth, fuck off. You clearly have issues with the fact that people don't like being told what to like and then being insulted when they choose not to agree with your 'opinions', so why stick around? If the Guitar Idol community is as ignorant and as corrupt as you genuinely believe it to be then why bitch and moan about being a part of it? What do you gain by chatting shit and causing more controversy as opposed to letting the kid play music? You're what's corrupt about the comp, not the rest of us. You and the clique are responsible for the majority of the spam voting which inevitably fucked up the whole system, and yet Mattrach STILL didn't win the people vote. One album title can describe this, "And Justice For All...."
Anyway, that and a few Marlboro Lights and a KFC later on captivated the end of a pretty sweet day on all accounts. Met some truly great individuals in a collective group of top lads and saw some great talent on show today, and took some rather lovely pictures too. Go to my photo albums to see.
This is where I sign off. Just a note, I'll be playing a solo acoustic gig on the 26th June @ The G Casino, Picaddilly Circus, The Bitter End in Romford Aug 2nd and The Roadhouse in Covent Garden Aug 10th, last two are full band sets. Hope to see you at all of them.
One other thing, turn up and spy us after the gig and I'll chuck you a free sample cd, or will have my whole demo collecion with us on the cheap if sought after.
Oh yeah, almost forgot, sample clip of a new track on My MySpace free to download.
xxx
Ben. x
Currently
listening
:
1984
By
Van Halen
Release date: 2000-09-19
My Dream Of Visiting Japan - Amongst Other Musical Dreams!!!
Current mood: Bullet Train
Category: Bullet Train Music
Warning: This is a long one.
I'm having a personal reflection overload tonight and I feel that this is the genuinely perfect way for me to vent out some inner thoughts, dreams and general hopes for my future in the long-term, both personally and musically. Why am I venting? Because I believe it's part of the passion for what I love to do, and that is to create and play music. Honest writings have always been a strong focus of my attention, because without honesty you have no foundation, and this applies to music too.
How so? Well most bands, as debatable as this may be, of whatever genre or style they're categorised in usually end up all going the same way of merely fading into the distance, attempting to re-create old sounds of yesterday and appearing on VH-1 Classic in a few years. You then have your legendary bands of yesterday and the bands of today and tomorrow.
In my opinion, examples of yesterday being The Beatles, Elvis, Black Sabbath, Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Deep Purple, Michael Jackson, Prince, ABBA, KISS, Van Halen, Metallica, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Guns N Roses, The Sex Pistols, AC/DC, Yes, Iron Maiden, The Smiths, Ozzy Osbourne etc.
Bands of today, in my opinion, Oasis, The Verve, Radiohead, Tool, R.E.M, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Dream Theater, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Dizzie Rascal, The Streets, Weezer, Vince DiCola, Ayumi Hamasaki, Britney Spears, Linkin Park, Kid Rock, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ian Brown, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Tool, Korn, Embrace, Reverend And The Makers, Amy Winehouse, Paramore, Panic At The Disco, Dragonforce, 30 Seconds To Mars, Amy Macdonald, Airbourne etc.
I'm writing this as it comes to me so forgive the slight possible inaccuracy of my above paragraphs, but reason being for said segregation is the Legendary bands are exactly that, Legends. They inspired generations of musicians and have fan bases beyond anything imaginable. You will always find someone in any one place that likes at least one of those legendary bands, I guarantee it. And that's how it should be. Personally, I'm not a fan of the Stones, but damn, their legacy is phenomenal. They could sell out Wembley Stadium 7 times over. Millions and millions of fans, millions of albums sold, world tours, the lot. And you look back at their musical achievements, they are legends of yesterday.
By todays standards, example, Oasis. Every album they've released has gone straight to number one. They've sold out Wembley, Knebworth, every world tour they've done, and yet they're still going and still making brilliant music. They single handedly changed the face of British rock music from the 90's and still continue to inspire today.
An example of tomorrow, 30 Seconds To Mars. This band in particular are tremendous and yet they've only just got started. Jared Leto's voice is a blessing to rock music, it's powerful, soulful, electric and will stand the test of time for many years to come.
Getting back to my point, honesty in music. These bands are all true to their own and not one of them sounds the same. Go ahead, read back on my lists, see if any two artist/bands that I've listed remotely sound alike. They don't. They are all true to what they believe in, and with that came their inspiration which has, in turn, inspired others, like myself, to be true to what one believes in. It makes me truly appreciate being a musician on so many more levels, because I'm always thinking of new ideas and new ways of bettering my music and bettering myself as a musician.
Part of my honesty is displayed within the lyrics of some of my songs. Forget The Unforgettable was the 1st song I ever wrote, which was about overcoming battles and finding hope, as I was always bullied as a child/teenager, teased and picked on for being "different" and having to stand up for myself which at times lead to violence. I hate violence, other than on tv and films of course, but personally I'm against violence, there's no need for it.
At the time before writing that particular song I was so screwed up I attempted to commit suicide, but thanks to a friend in high school who physically stopped me from doing so I was able to rebuild my shattered confidence and my emotions from scratch. It's an experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but at the same time, that I will never forget nor look back on with regret, because something good came out of something bad.
Songs like The Theory Of Life, written about how people see the world in their own view who take the path of telling you what life is; rather than finding out what life is and appreciating it. Your life is what you make it, but there are times when things happen that are beyond your control. The key is how you make the best of any situation through your integrity and sheer perseverence with it all. Have belief and the belief will pay off. Songs like Chances, which I wrote about a past love who meant the world to me at the time but somehow our paths streamed into different directions with the eternal knowledge that there will always be something there that will never be forgotten.
The lyrics in my vocal songs, they mean something to me, because they are me. They're my loves, my losses, my hopes, my ambitions, my sense of humour, my passion, my determination, my beliefs and my soul. Whereas with my Instrumental songs, you add all of the above with my perseverence of eccentricity as a guitarist and you get me completely. I wish I was a better singer, because my musical creations would have a slightly broader range than they currently do now. Not to say they don't get broader, just the process is not as frequent with my somewhat limited vocal range. This isn't to say that I may never find my voice, because I'm still young at heart, mind, body and soul. I aim to get vocal coaching in time and hopefully take my tones up a few notches.
I've had my vocals compared to that of Alice Cooper, Ian Brown, Liam & Noel Gallagher, Richard Ashcroft, Michael Stipe among a couple of others. As priveliged as I am to even be named in the same sentence as the above with a positive tone to the comment, personally, I want to expand my vocal horizons.
I listen to singers like Jon Anderson from Yes, Jared Leto from 30 Seconds To Mars and Ayumi Hamasaki, the greatest J-Pop singer of all time and I just cannot believe how perfect their vocals are. It's something out of this world. When I was younger I always had the "I wanna be like...." thoughts and wondered if I would ever amount to the dreams. Then as time went by I discovered that I wanted to be able to inspire generations after me. I wanted to be an awesome singer. That soon turned into me wanting to be an awesome guitarist. To this day I am eternally thankful for the gift of guitar. It's changed my life and made so fucking happy that it brings tears to my eyes. I love making music so much and it's such a gift to be able to do so and make people smile with your music.
This is why I love busking on London Underground, because I love making peoples day just that little bit better with music. The buzz is incredible, be it just me singing with an acoustic guitar. I used to sing in school choirs mainly in Hebrew too. Really enjoyed portions of my choir days, but I lost interest over time. I honestly regret that slightly, because I've long for a higher vocal range than what I have been blessed with today.
I never wanted to have that Axl Rose, Sebastian Bach, 80's Rock style voice. As much as I like certain 80's Rock, it just wasn't really for me. The style lacked the soulfulness that I desired from singing. Jon Anderson, Jared Leto & Ayumi Hamasaki (even though she's female) have ranges and styles that I would only love to combine. But, saying that, comes my genuine dreams of today and tomorrow.
The Main Part: With Japan In Sight
One of my main goals in life is to visit Japan, and as time goes by, the urge gets stronger. I want to experience an atmosphere I've never experienced before, be in the centre of technological advancement beyond my general knowledge and be introduced to a culture that has so much to offer with so much to experience. And with this comes the music.
I love Anime music and I love J-Pop. I may not be able to speak or understand Japanese to a high degree, but not knowing makes me want to know. I want to and aim to learn to speak Japanese in the future. I wish to one day have an apartment out there (as well as the UK and USA btw) and embrace the difference of culture and delight. With the fact that I don't know Japanese makes my love for Japenese Pop and Anime Music that much stronger, because it's something I like that I'm not fully clued up about as yet. However, one Japanese artist has captured my musical attention. Ayumi Hamasaki.
Ayumi Hamasaki, to put it briefly, is the "Britney Spears of Asia", though much better. Every single she has released since 1998 has debuted at number 1 in the Japanese (Oricon) Charts. Her first 8 studio albums have also debuted at number one, Guilty, her latest album, reached number two spot. She has sold millions and millions of records, sold out numerous tours, set sales records in Japanese music history and is known to be a fashion icon as well as a musical phenomenon. Check Wikipedia for more information.
I love her music. I own a couple of her cd's and a dvd. I actually started writing this blog as I began watching the Dome Tour 2001 DVD. To say I was amazed would be putting it likely. How Big Was The Dome!!!!??? I've been to some gigs in my time, but the Dome is one thing I wish to experience.
Whilst I was watching the concert I felt a slight sadness. Not with the concert, it was amazing, but with the thoughts that I want more. I want more musically, professionally and personally. I'm slightly impetuous and this is a slight downside to my being, but I am conciously aware of this and have learnt to overcome this with sheer common sense over time. The sadness came in the wanting to be on a stage, to a crowd of that proportions, to be able to please so many people with your music. It is the stuff that dreams are made of.
One of my dreams has truly emerged and come to the fore front of my mind tonight. I want to collaborate with many musicians in the years to come, but sitting at the top of that list is Ayumi Hamasaki. As mentioned before, her voice, her passion, her diversity within her music and her incredible all round charisma genuinely put her at the very top of my "Collaborations" list. Be it an album or just one song, either would be a dream come true, along with that, my visiting Japan. It would be an honour and a privelidge to hopefully one day work with such a talented artist and I can only hope and pray that this particular dream may become a reality within the future.
I know that one day I will visit Japan, hopefully tour the country and get to meet some truly great people whilst I'm there, but the aforementioned dream is high up on my list of dreams to accomplish down the line. It's a shame that her music is mainly marketed in Asia. I mean, many rock bands and pop stars from America and Europe go to Japan and Asia, sell millions of albums and tour and sell out shows, why can't the Asian artists do the same in the western market? I know why obviously, but I'm just saying, you know, if someone like myself, who's favourite bands consist of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Oasis, The Verve, Embrace, Dream Theater, Yes and R.E.M, why not attempt to break into the market? Yes, the language barrier is an issue, but barriers were made to be broken were they not?
Anyhoo, that's just some of my dreams and more of my many personal thoughts. I pray that my dreams will one day come true and that I not only have the opportunity to tour japan as a successful musician but that I get to work with the beautiful icon that is Ayumi Hamasaki.
I dedicate this blog to the nation and the people of Japan. You've given me so much inspiration both spiritually and musically and I love you for it. I'll make it to your shores, one day. You Guys Rock!!!
Thanks to everyone that read this blog by the way. Please feel free to send us your thoughts.
P.S: There'll be a new track online soon, and it will be a free download. : )
xxx
Ben. x
Currently
listening
:
Guilty Release date: 2008-01-01
Meeting Joe Satriani @ Hammersmith Apollo Aftermath + 170 Pics!!!
Current mood: What Is Your Purpose? I Just Wanna Rock!!!
Category: What Is Your Purpose? I Just Wanna Rock!!! Music
Well now rock and rollers. The time has come for another one of my patented long arse in depth "how did my day go" blogs. Though this is no ordinary blog, oh no, this is the daddy of them all!!!
Once upon a time, tickets went on sale for a gig at the Hammersmith Apollo for the very talented Joe Satriani, and let's just say, yours truly opted out of buying a normal ticket and settled for a Club Joe ticket instead.
For those reading this that have no idea what the bloody hell I'm talking about, Club Joe tickets are special package tickets that are expensive as hell but, for someone like myself, worth every fucking penny. The Club Joe ticket I purchased came with a backstage pass to a Meet and Greet + Q&A Session with Joe himself as well as a seat anywhere in the Apollo. Naturally, I picked first row on the balcony, seeing as I sat 3rd row for Steve Vai I thought, meh, I don't need to sit closer.
Like Christ I sat on the balcony, I sat front row fucking centre baby!!! Woohoo!!!
Anyway, we (all the Club Joe ticket holders) were told to be there between half 4 and 5, so when I arrived there were only about 5 of us there at that time, plus the ticket touts, but fuck them. Then, within a few minutes, about 25 others just appear from nowhere like something out of a horror film, Wtf? Freaky stuff I tell ya.
Joe's Road Manager calls us over, hands out our tickets and backstage laminates and we head round the back of the Apollo and up to a bar that seemed quite cosy, nice and quiet, though we could still hear Paul Gilbert doing sound check.
I would like to point out that by this point I've got butterflies like I'm diving out of a god damn airplane with no parachute, god knows how many Marlboro Lights I had outside, but good old Wrigley's chewing gum, never fails. So we're up in the bar area waiting for Joe to appear as we get handed a 8 x 10 pic and Satch Guitar pic each and I've got that sense of overwhelming excitement and that fear of 'Oh God I hope I don't say or do anything stupid', and for the record, I didn't, I was on my best behaviour thank you!!
So, Joe appears, and I had that Wayne's World moment spinning round my mind the same time when I met Steve Vai for the 1st time, but this isn't Vai, this is Satch, not a world of difference, but still, a difference on the same if not above level. After a few minutes of Joe talking it really occurred to me that this guy is just the epitome of cool. Anyone who says otherwise can kiss the sun that shines out of my arse, cos one of the Ten Commandments most people don't know about, the secret 11th commandment, "thou shalt not diss Satch".
Anyway, enough bollocks, down to the happenings, the Q&A session began with your standing gear and influence questions and the like, but then, we get to my question. My question to Joe was as follows….
"Like yourself, Hendrix has been a major influence not just on my music but on my playing as a whole, so, if you had had the opportunity to play any one of his songs with him on stage, which song would you have chosen to play?"
His answer was quite lengthy, but in short, he would have chosen one of his more Bluesy numbers. I couldn't remember the whole of his reply, but it was an intriguing question for him to answer as he really had to think about it for a second. Though in hindsight I probably should have asked him where he got his hat from, cos that's such a cool hat.
So the Q&A session finishes and it's that time for autographs and photos, and guess which lucky bastard got to be the 1st? Figured it out? Come on? It isn't hard!
I swear, I felt like a kid in a candy store, I had a smile as wide as a cinema screen and was slightly nervous, y'know, I mean I'm meeting like my biggest influence musically and I'm shaking inside but smiling on the outside. And with that, a handshake, a hello, a my name is Ben, I got my pic of him signed, 7 of his CDs signed, and as a thank you for the inspiration and the music I gave him my 4 CDs, which he was very thankful for and was quite impressed by the amount of music I've made in the last 3 years and with that followed me showing him one of my video clips of me playing guitar. Satch's face was set to stun, hand on heart, it was one of the greatest moments of my life seeing the look on his face as he watched how I play guitar, which was closely followed by a "wow, that is absolutely awesome, amazing stuff", and his road manager agreed with him too, so that was extra cool.
Finally, I got my picture taken with the legend himself, which I'll be receiving via email within the next 2 weeks. I bet I look a right mess, immortalised in a photo for life looking a right state, oh the possible embarrassment, but fuck it, end of the day, I could have been wearing a kick me sticker on an I'm with stupid t-shirt and I still would felt like a million dollars.
After a few conversations with some of the other peeps post meet and greet, we queued up inside like sardines in a frickin' can in the main foyer. One thing I hate about gigs at the Apollo, waiting around to get the fuck inside and being bundled together with everyone else like a packed tube train, arrrgghhhh!!!!!
Anyway, doors open, and me being me, I'm feeling fancy free and such and I start flicking about my Satch guitar pick like a coin, only to fucking drop it!! By the way, did I mention it was dark? Yeah, that made the search more fun, but luckily I found it under the seat near where I sat. I fucking hate the dark, because I have a damn night vision disorder/disease/thingy, making life extra fun adding to the one arm and tendonitis that I've already got. Does God exist? If he does, he's definitely English; he's got that dry sarcastic overtone to his overall odd sense of humour judging by how he gives me gifts like playing guitar and taking away such things like my god damn hand and motherfucking decent eyesight. Complex irony is sometimes funny though, but life's a bitch and then you're surrounded by them. Meh!!
So front row seat it is, and again with the irony, front row seat, marvellous, though it had to be me who got the monitor directly in front of me on the stage, slightly blocking my view eh? I always try to make the best of a difficult situation, so tonight was no exception.
Now, I'll be the 1st to admit, I admire Paul Gilbert, but was never a huge fan of his before tonight. Well I'll tell you something, I'm definitely getting his new CD, the guy just blew me away. Fantastic technique, amazing musicianship, the tunes were quite clever for someone like myself who's not familiar with his entire back catalogue including Racer X stuff. And the sound was massive, even with the stage set up of one guitar, keys, bass and drums. Very thick and rich, could hear every single note and was fantastic to see him live. A top choice for support. Norwegian cowbell is a fine track.
Here we go, lights go up, slightly, and what sounds? "What Is Your Purpose? I JUST WANNA ROCK!!!" Ohhhhhhhhh mate!!! That tune is the ultimate opener!!! Bang on the money, and the entire set list was quality too.
Here's what I can remember of the set list, the order may be wrong mind….
I Just Wanna Rock
Revelation
Satch Boogie
Diddle-Y-A-Doo-Dat
Ice 9
One Big Rush
Musterion
Super Colossal
Come on Baby
Cool 9
Overdriver
Out of the Sunrise
Cryin'
Asik Vaysel
Andalusia
Stu Hamm Bass Solo
Time Machine
Flying In A Blue Dream
The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing
Always With Me, Always With You
Surfing With The Alien
Crowd Chant
Summer Song
Don't quote me exactly on that with regards to the order, but I'm quite sure it was exactly that.
Now, I've gotta say, when I bought the new CD (Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock….what a mouthful that is to say out loud), I wasn't really into it to begin with, but after hearing most of it live, I fucking love it, it's one of my fav Satch albums, because it's simply a beautiful and clever record. See, its things like this that make my love and appreciation for Satch's music just that much better over time. His ability to keep redefining his catalogue of sheer creative genius without succumbing to what many a band have done in their time and re-hash past glories with the same stuff year after year. Any fan of Satch will tell you the same, that if you're waiting for a new Surfing or a new Extremist CD, don't hold your breath, Satriani has a wider musical palette than your typical instrumental "let's see how many notes I can hit in a second" shredding guitarist, because I'll tell you something, as a musician and a predominant self taught guitarist myself, Satch can shred faster than ANYONE on this planet, but yet he still keeps coming back with new ideas that can blow the crowd away and that his still ever growing fan base will truly appreciate for years to come. How do I know this as concrete fact? Well, I've seen it for myself, that's how I know, and anyone else who was there can tell you the same. With a set that combined a compelling blend of classic Satch tracks with latest numbers, even a song like Super Colossal, fucking brilliant tune, so catchy and melodic with a proper rock and roll undertone to the structure.
The sound at the Apollo was amazing. Loud as hell, yet clear as crystal glass. The term wall of sound is the ultimate association with the overall tone me thinks. My ears were ringing like bells on Chinese bicycles, so I knew I had a top time, and an overall treasured experience from the heart, because I not only went to the best gig I've ever been to, I also met MY Guitar Idol. My dream still stands tall, to share a stage with the man himself. Be it G3, be it supporting the man around the UK, USA, Japan, anywhere, it could be Antarctica for all I care, it would still be a dream come true.
One guy asked the question before the show, to Joe, whether he would ever imagine for his music to be turned into transcript and studied in the future the same way that musicians study Mozart and Beethoven etc. Joe answered very honestly that it's not how his music should be seen, and I can completely understand where he's coming from, logistically thinking about it, Mozart and the like are the foundations for most modern music of a generations of all genres, but I'll tell you what, in my mind, Satch is the Guitar equivalent to Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, etcetera, judging by tonight's performance without a doubt.
Post show, I bought myself a poster and jersey, both Satchafunkilus-esque, and whilst I had all of this written down in my head, I had Satch on the MP3 player all the way home.
I took over 70 pics of Paul Gilbert and over 100 pics of Satch, as well as the autographs and such I got, so feel free to go have a glance, send us your thoughts and comments etc, and if you want me to take pics of your gigs in the future send us an email.
One thing I'll say about this whole event, it's made me want to persevere even more with the Guitar. I'm not the best singer on the planet and would never claim to be, but I know I am a better Guitarist than a Singer. So, with that, more instrumental music. Within the next couple of weeks I shall upload a brand new instrumental rock track. The best part of it is that it will be free to download via My MySpace. So keep a look out for it.
Hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing about it. Best gig ever, best day of my life thus far. Roll on the London Guitar Show.
Leave us your comments/thoughts both on the blog and the pics by all means.
Brand New Guitar Video Uploaded To MySpace!!!
Current mood: Mouth For War
Category: Mouth For War Music
Filmed randomly by a friend a couple of days ago and uploaded on to youtube, this is the first vid of me playing with my new guitar, Fi. There’s also some parts of a new song of mine included in the clip, titled ’Heavy Mettle’.
A Special Thank You To You All + New Pics Online!!!
Current mood: Royal Rumble
Category: Royal Rumble Music
Hello y'all.
I'm so tired right now, I'm on 4 hours sleep, and I'm typing this as I watch the Royal Rumble, just spied Chris Jericho mashing JBL up with a chair, noooiiiiicceee!!!!
Anyhoo, I just wanted to say to everyone, fans, friends, random passers by, the cool kids, the hip cats, the rocker, hip hoppers, indie boys and rockin' girls, from the UK to the USA and all over the globe, for all your birthday wishes, kind words and best regards of recent weeks, thank you ever so much, your love and kindness is what makes me smile everyday, being able to please so many of you with my music and my odd little anecdotes and long ass blogs alike/
Adding to that, thank you again to all of your kind comments about my new song, Chances, I'm so glad you lot like the new track as I personally feel it is some of my best work to date and I hope to keep in with that theme in the near future with newer music. The Code Breaker E.P will be ready for everyone interested to purchase within the coming months, so watch this space - My Myspace :-D
Before I forget, there are some new pics of me on my myspace, with my new hairdo, short baby!! Leave us your comments, let me know what you think.
I hope all of you are doing well. More infor on band related stuff to come soon.
Oh yeah, if you like AC/DC, go to www.myspace.com/airbourne, and tell them that Benjamin Teacher sent you, because they fuckin' rock!!!
Management Wanted, A&R Representation Wanted, Record Deal Wanted!!!
Current mood: determined
Category: Music
I have never asked nor expected anything of anyone or anything, and where's it got me? Places, but not every place, and that's where I want to be, everywhere.
I wanna travel the world and play my music to whoever wants to listen to it, so it's pretty simple, I am looking for a band manager, I am looking for A&R representatives to take a chance of me, my music and my band and I am looking for a record deal.
I am prepared to put in as much hard work and effort and beyond to fulfill these particular aspirations, so I say this to you, if this applies to you and you're reading this blog that I have written personally.
If you are a band manager who is legitimate, an A&R representative for either an Independant or Major label or if you either run, own or work for said Indie or Major record label and you have faith in my music, my abilities and my passion for music then please get in touch and email me via myspace or via benteacher@hotmail.co.uk
I want to make things happen, and so help me that is what I intend to do.
2007 - My Year In Review!!!
Current mood: Bittersweet Symphony
Category: Bittersweet Symphony Music
Ladies and Gentleblokes, I could quite easily sum this entire year up in 2 clear words, 'Fucking Mental'. I could also win the lottery, but chances are I probably won't, so summarizing my year in just 2 words doesn't seem likely neither.
Let's recap, starting with the shit things. I struggled to get a new band line-up together, and when doing so, my drummer fucked up his ankle. Adding to that, he was the best drummer I've ever played with. I was diagnosed with tendo-fucking-nitus all down my left arm, which stopped me playing guitar for 3 god damn irreplaceable months.
There was more illness within my family (which for personal reasons I shaln't be elaborating on, but rest assured, it makes my tendonitus more than slightly insignificant to say the least). I missed out on meeting The Verve & The Reverend after the O2 gig and life in general has been fucking crap this year what with other such things going on and up an ddown like a bloody rollercoaster on coke. Oh yeah, and england failed to qualify for Euro 2008, but that's another blog in it's entirity right there.
On the flipside of the coin, I saw Steve Vai, twice. I met Steve Vai, twice! I saw Metallica (w/ Machine Head, Mastadon and that pile of shit from finland who I shall not even address in this paragraph correctly because they're not worth the fucking energy) at the new Wembley Stadium. I saw Black Sabbath supported by Iced Earth & Lamb of God. I met Black Sabbath & Bruce Dickinson after the gig! I saw one of my top 5 favourite bands The Verve reform and gig at the O2. I saw them be supported by one of my new favourite bands, Reverend And The Makers.
Stepping away from the gigs, I recorded my 3rd CD, Violet Sky (which you can buy via my myspace). I saw The Transformers movie I'd been waiting fucking forever to see, despite the umpteen amount of flaws within. Carl Roa & Circa: both released fine debut albums (both of which I have signed, thank you gentlemen!). One of my best friends gave birth to the most adorable lil' girl ever! I'm playing guitar again (please see my videos on youtube as proof, the one with the baseball cap!) I've added 2 new guitars to my family (more photos coming soon). I've got a new band line-up sorted, just looking to add one more piece to the puzzle.
Finally, I've reached a milestone, somewhat, on myspace. 100,000 plays. A special thank you to all my friends & fans who've contributed to such a feat, it's truly appreciated sincerely and dearly. As a token of appreciation I shall be uploading a new track of two very soon.
Roll on 2008, because I smell some gigs, new material and TV appearances. Without getting ahead of myself or trying to make out that more is going on than actual fact, I intend to make things happen. I intend to concentrate all my focus and energy on breaking through into the music industry and basically making a name for myself as a musician within the new year.
I've been working and working and working at my craft for nearly 8 years now. I've seen many bands come and go. I've played with many musicians, various different bands. I've met some upstanding people and some right backstabbing, two-faced, selfish, talentless, nasty, spiteful, miserable, worthless pieces of shit that dare to call themselves musicians. I've had to endure endless amounts of criticsm and much unwarranted venom from ex band members who truly aren't worth the puddle of piss on a pub floor and who simply cannot get over how things have turned out in time and how people will not always see eye to eye irrespective of musical taste and/or ability.
The past is the past. I'm fucking done with the musical past and all the personal grief from friends and ex gielfriends who've come and gone. When people say "a new year, a new start" they never usually stick to the script, nor the resolutions they set out to achieve. Not on my watch. Next year, the next chapter, new stories and new prospects, better ambitions, higher mountains to climb and more goals to score.
Everyone who reads this, read this clearly. Only you can make things happen, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.
It's time to stop dreaming and start living it. To quote the legendary Mr Richard Ashcroft, "See you in the next one, have a good time".
The Verve (+ Reverend And The Makers) @ The O2 Aftermath!!!
Current mood: This Is Music
Category: This Is Music Music
*Drum Roll*
Ok, where in the FUCK do I begin with this one? I know, a bit of comedy. It isn't much but it's all you're gonna get.
Waiting around in the freezing fucking cold doesn't help when you have a cold, sore throat, temperature and the potential to projectile the ironic bacon sandwich I had for lunch. The irony for those that haven't clocked is slightly Jewish.
Anyway, when Daniel son finally fucking arrived at the meeting point, we proceeded to leg it on to the train that had just arrived, only to be greeted by a big fucking mutt of a dog and some growling bitch on a leash. This didn't bother me, but it before Dan, cos he got bit by a dog many moons ago and proceeded to brick it like many built houses. That, ladies and gentlemen, was the humour portion of this collection of words. Now here comes the interesting bit.
I've never been to the O2 before, so seeing as it was a brand new venue and not too far away from the abode adding to the fact I couldn't quite believe I was going to see The Verve, adding to THAT the genius fact that they were being supported by Reverend And The Makers who're one of my favourite new bands to emerge in the mainstream this year, I knew this would be a night to remember and, subsequently, write a small (pah!) blog in celebration of my evenings events.
Please bare this in mind, my English may not be the greatest read of your life, but I can only guarantee you of one thing. You'll have read something interesting, which at the same time, you may wholeheartedly agree with either overall or in segments. So, not too dissimilar to anything you read in a music mag then? And yet, I am not being paid for this, but fuck it.
So, we got to North Greenwich, thinking "Oh Shit!" we're in for a star trek voyage of a fucking mission (should we choose to accept it) of getting to ze Dome. It weren't like that one flaming bit; it was a Michael Johnson 200 Metre sprint round the corner, Result!
Seeing as we had seats I felt obliged to spark up a Marlboro and stroll like a raggy doll till I was given 'the look', you know, the one that says 'if you don't put that cigarette out right fucking now you better be praying I don't think of something clever to do with it, to you'. By then, I was already done. Fucking security, tried taking my camera as well. Not bloody likely.
So yeah, get in there, eventually, find our seats (sweeeet), spy the few hundred in the standing area, recognising that once again I had done well with the purchasing of the seated tickets. The block next to the stage, few rows up, perrrrfik!!
On comes the Reverend, hits it off with The State Of Things, followed by other personal favourites of mine in Heavyweight Champion Of The World, Open Your Window & ending with He Said He Loves Me. Top band, well worth getting there early to see them. Although the sound weren't tops they still drew a decent reaction. Jon (sporting a new haircut) then mentioned something near the end of the set about the record company trying to fuck him over and that all their songs were available for download via their website. To each is their own. If you wanna check them out go to www.myspace.com/reverendmusic, trust me, tunes!!!
It's funny how once a band has finished you tend to get the munchies. I felt a £7.50 burger, chips and drink combo coming on, oh yes!!! Weren't too bad neither, better than Wembley Fucking Arena!
Once that feast was polished off and a lil browse on the old Internet phone (I heart Google!), one of the greatest bands arrive. I've been waiting over 10 years for this day, do you know how fucking long that is!? That's 10 years that is! Arrrgghhhh!!!
A New Decaaaaaaaaade!!!!! What a way to open! Followed by (let's see how my memory serves me), This Is Music, Space & Time, Gravity Grave, Weeping Willow, Velvet Morning, Sit & Wonder (A New One, Woohoo!!!), Sonnet, Lucky Man, Stormy Clouds, On Your Own, The Rolling People, The Drugs Don't Work, Bittersweet Symphony, History, Come On.
Don't quote me on that set list, although I think it's near enough on the money. Personally for me it was all about Bittersweet Symphony and Lucky Man (when Ashcroft proceeeded to smash his guitar to shit following the song ending, rock and/or rolling people!)
Ashcroft was also sporting a new hairdo, short and dyed. Was rather different from his usual appearance (see below).
Now, like every gig, ever, there's always gonna be a few things you generally don't like, right? Right. Well, here are mine. They didn't play a single song from A Storm In Heaven and it wasn't loud enough. Those are pretty much my only grievances. The O2 looks good and all that, but it is by no means the best venue for gigs. I'm not an expert on this kind of shit, so I'm not gonna go into one about this and that and what should be done. All I know is what I could hear. The bass weren't drilling holes in my stomach, the drums weren't making me hold on to the seat and the guitars just weren't fucking loud enough. My ears should've been ringing. Alas, they were not.
What I did like however was everything else. Despite it's sound flaws, the venue being so close to home was mint. Travelling, what travelling? The timing getting in and out was sweet, the support band were fucking quality and The Verve are the best band in the world (bar the obvious exceptions as far as the rest of my main musical favourites/influences go). And the company I kept was actually well behaved for once, considering how much of an absolute cunt he can be at the best of times. He got his Xmas present and I got a decent night out and another gig ticket to add to the wall of…………well, tickets.
Oh yeah, one more grievance, I didn't get a backstage or after show pas at this gig, but saying that I met Richard Ashcroft on my 22nd Birthday (last year) so I can't really complain that much. I could, for hours, but I can't be arsed, I'm feeling peanut butter on toast and watching recorded Eastenders is a sufficient way to conclude this evenings events.
As far as gigs go, compared to Steve Vai, Metallica, Black Sabbath & seeing my friends new band, without a doubt this gig sits right up there with them all. In terms of the experience, 2nd to Vai & Sabbath (given the inclusion of backstage passes), but, in terms of a gig, one that I've been waiting half my life to date to see, tonight was one of the best.
This was Music.
Gig photos online now!!
Ben. x
Currently
listening
:
Alone with Everybody
By
Richard Ashcroft
Release date: 27 June, 2000
determined
