Akira The Don's Superhero Music is out!
"Fly Already" and "Video Highway" are my favorites. It's so weird how this came out right after I-Con, where I saw SUPERHEROES!!!
It's a pretty diverse mix as well, with rap, The Kinks, emo (the Smallville theme) and whatever The Polyphonic Spree is.
I still need to touch up "Steven Wells"
Monday, April 5, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
I Got A Record Deal!!
Mann Co. Records has just given me a record deal!
Their rep was a little too straight forward, but I was able to sign the contract, and only get one black eye!
Yeah!
Their rep was a little too straight forward, but I was able to sign the contract, and only get one black eye!
Yeah!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Fur And LARPing At I-Con
No, don't expect a full write-up, but I was at I-Con at Stony Brook University this weekend. While there, I decided to give random people a CD of the songs I made so far, including a secret one JUST RECORDED.
Hopefully of the 5 demo CDs I gave out, one of you got curious and decided to check me out.
Well, just to sum things up, here's the rundown:
This site originally started as a way for me to track my progress learning the songs from the original Rock Band game on guitar. Once I started playing Open Mics and expanding my repertoire, the blog now features Rock Band news, as well as my own stuff published under the Rhythm Bastard.
I will do the occasional song update like I used to, where after I learned a song, I write up a bit about the trickiest or most interesting parts.
All the songs learned so far, as well as accompanying tabs can be found on
THE SETLIST
So if you're looking to offer your opinion, or (hopefully) your expertise, feel free to contact me, or post up a comment.
How did I get the idea for the demos?
So, I'm there when my accountant Phil calls me:
Phil From Accounting: Um, while you're up there, why don't you do a little promotion? You made some songs, why not burn them on a CD and give them out at your table?
Rhythm Bastard: Wow, Phil, what a great idea!
PFA: Really?
RB: Until I actually thought about it, fuckface. Tables cost money I don't have, and nobody wants to buy a CD with only 3 songs!
PFA: Three songs, you mean you finished-
RB: Boning your wife? Yes. Besides, I'd rather other fun stuff like watch anime, buy some crappy little pins, tell furries to yiff in hell, bone some fat chicks...
PFA: I'm just saying, there are a lot of musical acts there, and it might be something to think about.
RB: Pfft... Like who?
PFA: AeroSith
RB: They were interesting to watch, I'll give them that. But they didn't really perform, the synced up to backing tracks.
PFA: Well, the guy there said-
RB: What guy?
PFA: The guy assisting with the show who wore a Jar Jar Binks costume said that they do record all the instruments live, but at shows they have to play it over a boom-box because of their costumes.
RB: Really? You trust an Episode 1 character?
PFA: *watches link* *70 minutes later* Wow, that was really funny! Thanks for that!
RB: I also boned your ex-wife 3 times.
PFA: No, I'm not letting you get to me! I know you lie about my wife!
RB: Ex-wife...
PFA: WHATEVER! Devo Spice was there as well...
RB: Like MC Lars, only less fresh. He's more... "dope".
PFA: Marc Gunn...
RB: “The Godfather of Celtic Music Online”? That's... specific. The I'm "The Emperor Of Muay Thai/Rock Band in New York Who Is Currently Wearing A Red Shirt and Makes Music"
PFA: You don't know Muay Thai.
RB: Yeah, but I know more than everyone else in New York who also makes rock music and plays Rock Band wearing a red shirt, so there.
PFA: Lastly, Voltaire.
RB: Shit, Stony Brook can revive dead people? I guess they really are a top research university.
PFA: No, he's a musician. He made a song called "Brains!!!" for The Grim Adventures Of Billy and Mandy
"He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"
RB: Oh, sorry, I'm an adult who does adult things. I don't watch cartoons.
PFA: He drew quite the crowd, and seemed to put on a really fun show. For "Goth Music", they had some pretty funky rhythms, like mariachi.
RB: Pfft... Damn manchildren. Why can't they grow up and be responsible like me? I don't watch anime, or collect nerdy stuff, or read, or jack off, or play video games-
PFA: Um, that last one is kinda-
RB: Or fursecute, or dress up in costume, or read comics books, or play Dungeons and Dragons. I think I'm missing some stuff.
PFA: Yet you were at I-Con.
RB: Cognitive Dissonance is a bitch. Oh, and I don't wear really sweet goggles.
PFA: Wait, what? You don't own those. You could, but-
RB: But the lady wanted $20 for it.
*silence*
PFA: Please kill me.
RB: Nah, I'll let the Carbon Monoxide in my basement take care of that.
So, welcome I-Con Demo CD people! All 5 of you!
Hopefully of the 5 demo CDs I gave out, one of you got curious and decided to check me out.
Well, just to sum things up, here's the rundown:
This site originally started as a way for me to track my progress learning the songs from the original Rock Band game on guitar. Once I started playing Open Mics and expanding my repertoire, the blog now features Rock Band news, as well as my own stuff published under the Rhythm Bastard.
I will do the occasional song update like I used to, where after I learned a song, I write up a bit about the trickiest or most interesting parts.
All the songs learned so far, as well as accompanying tabs can be found on
THE SETLIST
So if you're looking to offer your opinion, or (hopefully) your expertise, feel free to contact me, or post up a comment.
How did I get the idea for the demos?
So, I'm there when my accountant Phil calls me:
Phil From Accounting: Um, while you're up there, why don't you do a little promotion? You made some songs, why not burn them on a CD and give them out at your table?
Rhythm Bastard: Wow, Phil, what a great idea!
PFA: Really?
RB: Until I actually thought about it, fuckface. Tables cost money I don't have, and nobody wants to buy a CD with only 3 songs!
PFA: Three songs, you mean you finished-
RB: Boning your wife? Yes. Besides, I'd rather other fun stuff like watch anime, buy some crappy little pins, tell furries to yiff in hell, bone some fat chicks...
PFA: I'm just saying, there are a lot of musical acts there, and it might be something to think about.
RB: Pfft... Like who?
PFA: AeroSith
RB: They were interesting to watch, I'll give them that. But they didn't really perform, the synced up to backing tracks.
PFA: Well, the guy there said-
RB: What guy?
PFA: The guy assisting with the show who wore a Jar Jar Binks costume said that they do record all the instruments live, but at shows they have to play it over a boom-box because of their costumes.
RB: Really? You trust an Episode 1 character?
PFA: *watches link* *70 minutes later* Wow, that was really funny! Thanks for that!
RB: I also boned your ex-wife 3 times.
PFA: No, I'm not letting you get to me! I know you lie about my wife!
RB: Ex-wife...
PFA: WHATEVER! Devo Spice was there as well...
RB: Like MC Lars, only less fresh. He's more... "dope".
PFA: Marc Gunn...
RB: “The Godfather of Celtic Music Online”? That's... specific. The I'm "The Emperor Of Muay Thai/Rock Band in New York Who Is Currently Wearing A Red Shirt and Makes Music"
PFA: You don't know Muay Thai.
RB: Yeah, but I know more than everyone else in New York who also makes rock music and plays Rock Band wearing a red shirt, so there.
PFA: Lastly, Voltaire.
RB: Shit, Stony Brook can revive dead people? I guess they really are a top research university.
PFA: No, he's a musician. He made a song called "Brains!!!" for The Grim Adventures Of Billy and Mandy
"He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"
RB: Oh, sorry, I'm an adult who does adult things. I don't watch cartoons.
PFA: He drew quite the crowd, and seemed to put on a really fun show. For "Goth Music", they had some pretty funky rhythms, like mariachi.
RB: Pfft... Damn manchildren. Why can't they grow up and be responsible like me? I don't watch anime, or collect nerdy stuff, or read, or jack off, or play video games-
PFA: Um, that last one is kinda-
RB: Or fursecute, or dress up in costume, or read comics books, or play Dungeons and Dragons. I think I'm missing some stuff.
PFA: Yet you were at I-Con.
RB: Cognitive Dissonance is a bitch. Oh, and I don't wear really sweet goggles.
PFA: Wait, what? You don't own those. You could, but-
RB: But the lady wanted $20 for it.
*silence*
PFA: Please kill me.
RB: Nah, I'll let the Carbon Monoxide in my basement take care of that.
So, welcome I-Con Demo CD people! All 5 of you!
Monday, March 22, 2010
My First Bar Gig
All right, so here's what I learned:
1. NEEDS MOAR CABLES! They had a PA system and speakers, but man, thank God the band playing after me knew what they were doing.
2. NEEDS MOAR MIKES! Yeah, that might be a worth while investment. The club didn't have one and neither did I.
3. GO LATER! Let's see, there were the bar employees, my parents, one of the guys I live with, and the band playing later. So, while it was great I couldn't be "judged", I couldn't be judged.
4. NEEDS MOAR PRACTICE! I tried playing Clash City Rockers that night, and because I forgot how it goes, I fucked up. THAT WAS THE SONG I ENDED MY SETLIST WITH.
Great, now here's the breakdown:
SEVEN NATION ARMY- ***
How could I fuck up Seven Nation Army? When I try to sing and play guitar at the same time. I remembered the words, but singing them WHILE playing? What am I, coordinated?
FORCE-A-NATURE- *****
My originals I'm doing better on. No missed chords, the solo was decent, and I had the proper guitar to do the kill-off with.
HOLIDAY- ****
Another song I'm getting better at. The strumming pattern and the singing pattern don't quite match up, and I kept singing in the wrong key, but I think everyone likes the line "*CSSH* The representative from [Port Jefferson] has the floor"
ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL- *****G
If there is anything to get out of feeling like shit at these shows, it's this: I'm getting better at these songs. The crowd (a.k.a. My parents) clapped along, and I knew what to look out for since last time.
SHE SELLS SANCTUARY- ****
Didn't remember how this song went, but I managed to fake it long enough.
RADIO DAYS PT. 1- *****
The solos I weren't to sure of, but other than that, I think I got it down.
CLASH CITY ROCKERS- FAIL
See above.
The bands I actually saw, Purple Operator and Yellow Birds were what I'd call "soft indie", but I enjoyed them nonetheless.
So, I'm the Rhythm Bastard. I fail so you don't have to.
1. NEEDS MOAR CABLES! They had a PA system and speakers, but man, thank God the band playing after me knew what they were doing.
2. NEEDS MOAR MIKES! Yeah, that might be a worth while investment. The club didn't have one and neither did I.
3. GO LATER! Let's see, there were the bar employees, my parents, one of the guys I live with, and the band playing later. So, while it was great I couldn't be "judged", I couldn't be judged.
4. NEEDS MOAR PRACTICE! I tried playing Clash City Rockers that night, and because I forgot how it goes, I fucked up. THAT WAS THE SONG I ENDED MY SETLIST WITH.
Great, now here's the breakdown:
SEVEN NATION ARMY- ***
How could I fuck up Seven Nation Army? When I try to sing and play guitar at the same time. I remembered the words, but singing them WHILE playing? What am I, coordinated?
FORCE-A-NATURE- *****
My originals I'm doing better on. No missed chords, the solo was decent, and I had the proper guitar to do the kill-off with.
HOLIDAY- ****
Another song I'm getting better at. The strumming pattern and the singing pattern don't quite match up, and I kept singing in the wrong key, but I think everyone likes the line "*CSSH* The representative from [Port Jefferson] has the floor"
ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL- *****G
If there is anything to get out of feeling like shit at these shows, it's this: I'm getting better at these songs. The crowd (a.k.a. My parents) clapped along, and I knew what to look out for since last time.
SHE SELLS SANCTUARY- ****
Didn't remember how this song went, but I managed to fake it long enough.
RADIO DAYS PT. 1- *****
The solos I weren't to sure of, but other than that, I think I got it down.
CLASH CITY ROCKERS- FAIL
See above.
The bands I actually saw, Purple Operator and Yellow Birds were what I'd call "soft indie", but I enjoyed them nonetheless.
So, I'm the Rhythm Bastard. I fail so you don't have to.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Telephone, Or How I Stopped Worrying And Loved The Gaga
BACK FROM FIRST BAR GIG, WILL POST WRITE UP TOMORROW
So, as usual, I was lurking the Something Awful forums when I stumble on a thread entitled: Lesbian sex with Beyonce, prison rape, mass murder, it's Lady Gaga time.
Well Goddamn it, I said. Her again? I already hear all 5 of her songs when ever I head to the gym, why do Goons give her the time of day?
Lo and behold, it was the video for her new song, Telephone.
Watch it then come back to me
Hol... Eeee... Shiiit...
I feel bad admiting this, but that was kinda awesome.
Couple that with the news that she was so obsessed with Dookie that she licked the damn thing,, coupled with her celebrity play list, and you have to consider my interest piqued.
Then it hit me: the ridiculous outfits, the juxtaposition of simple pop songs to Tarantinoian movies, the sci-fi references? She's not a pop star, she's the world's greatest troll.
This video represents exactly what I'd do if tomorrow someone gave me a shitton of money and said "Here, make a music video about Club Song #40231897". Honestly, who would have expected this?
When you have Goons who switch between ironically and unironically liking Muse and Radiohead every other day who are willing to come out and say "She's awesome" says something. I just enjoy how much fun she's having with all of this. The recent Rock Band tracks even played on this trend. There are two versions of "Poker Face": the original, and the one sung by Eric Cartman in the Whale Whores episode of South Park. Now, if you're a fan of Gaga, good for you, but if you're a typical Rock Band player who wants DRAGONFORCE MUSE ROCK BAND MOAR METUL!!!. you're thinking "Screw that! When is Harmonix going to get us some REAL music?". That is, until you see the South Park version. "Well, maybe I'll just get it for the lulz... I do enjoy South Park!"
Bam, bitch gets some royalties.
And it's not like she's completely talentless either:
So, can you call me a fan? Well, fuck no. I'd need to go on a 6-month radio detox before I can even think about listening to her again. But it just goes to show the evils of Top 40 Radio: it takes otherwise talented people and forces them into the mainstream so that those of us who want to pick and choose are music throw it back up again. In a way, it's like the Scientology of the music industry.
So, as usual, I was lurking the Something Awful forums when I stumble on a thread entitled: Lesbian sex with Beyonce, prison rape, mass murder, it's Lady Gaga time.
Well Goddamn it, I said. Her again? I already hear all 5 of her songs when ever I head to the gym, why do Goons give her the time of day?
Lo and behold, it was the video for her new song, Telephone.
Watch it then come back to me
Hol... Eeee... Shiiit...
I feel bad admiting this, but that was kinda awesome.
Couple that with the news that she was so obsessed with Dookie that she licked the damn thing,, coupled with her celebrity play list, and you have to consider my interest piqued.
Then it hit me: the ridiculous outfits, the juxtaposition of simple pop songs to Tarantinoian movies, the sci-fi references? She's not a pop star, she's the world's greatest troll.
This video represents exactly what I'd do if tomorrow someone gave me a shitton of money and said "Here, make a music video about Club Song #40231897". Honestly, who would have expected this?
When you have Goons who switch between ironically and unironically liking Muse and Radiohead every other day who are willing to come out and say "She's awesome" says something. I just enjoy how much fun she's having with all of this. The recent Rock Band tracks even played on this trend. There are two versions of "Poker Face": the original, and the one sung by Eric Cartman in the Whale Whores episode of South Park. Now, if you're a fan of Gaga, good for you, but if you're a typical Rock Band player who wants DRAGONFORCE MUSE ROCK BAND MOAR METUL!!!. you're thinking "Screw that! When is Harmonix going to get us some REAL music?". That is, until you see the South Park version. "Well, maybe I'll just get it for the lulz... I do enjoy South Park!"
Bam, bitch gets some royalties.
And it's not like she's completely talentless either:
So, can you call me a fan? Well, fuck no. I'd need to go on a 6-month radio detox before I can even think about listening to her again. But it just goes to show the evils of Top 40 Radio: it takes otherwise talented people and forces them into the mainstream so that those of us who want to pick and choose are music throw it back up again. In a way, it's like the Scientology of the music industry.
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