When Will Maynard Bring the Wine?

Photograph Credit : Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.

There is a running joke around my house, and among some of my friends about "When Maynard Will Bring the Wine". It came about during a conversation that involved two things : The George Carlin book, "When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?" (which is actually a whole other story in it's own right!), and a discussion of  Maynard James Keenan , Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, NIN, Trent Reznor, and of course, Maynard's vineyards.

We had just discussed the Carlin book, and cut into a discussion on Maynard. While sipping a glass of cheap red wine (Sangria, most likely, knowing me), I joked about how Maynard and Reznor, and all those wonderful "luminaries" of this age (they are most certainly among the great poets, philosophers, and luminaries of our generations), most likely sit around discussing bold philosophies, arcane wisdoms, and metaphorical paradigms whilst partaking in the bountiful fruits of Maynard's vineyards.

After lengthy and weighty discussion of this, and assumed topics therein (our own philosophical ponders naturally ensuing), I proclaimed that:

"This has been a lovely little discourse, and I truly enjoy it when we ponder such things, but seeing my glass is now empty, my deepest wonder is, when will Maynard bring the wine?" None us us being able to afford Maynard's wine, I thought he should bring us some, don't you?

It has been a running joke ever since, and now anytime I am gifted with a bottle of wine, bring home a bottle, or am caught sipping a glass, it of course brings about similar conversations. My eldest daughter even gave me a bottle of wine and a Puscifer CD one year for X-mas, or my birthday, with a note to the effect that "Maynard didn't bring the wine, but I did, mom!"

http://fullofknowledge.com/2013/08/when-will-maynard-bring-the-wine/

Originality Seems Lacking in Pop Culture

Image courtesy of WikimediaCommons
Public Domain

Originality is something I find greatly lacking in the entertainment industry these days. Particularly with regard to movies and music. That is not to say that there is not a plethora of very talented and immensely creative individuals alive on this planet today. There certainly are.

Unfortunately, many of them are not heard on the radio, or seen at the box office. Instead, we must contend with what is generally “popular”. This “popular” entertainment culture consist primarily of people with the voices of whining dogs, and the acting skills of sweaters.

This is just my opinion, of course, and there is still some talent and originality to be found in the entertainment industry. It just sickens me to see the same useless faces, and hear the same unpleasant voices (or, at best…simply “common”) over and over again, when I also see very creative individuals go virtually unnoticed as they struggle to find a place in all this, and make their own mark.

Originally published on Bubblews, August 2nd, 2013.
And on FullofKnowledge : http://fullofknowledge.com/2013/08/originality-seems-lacking-in-pop-culture/

What’s in a Name? Band Names from My Past

I think pretty much every band I have ever been in had an awesome moniker. Naming a band can be lots of fun. It can also be aggravating when dealing with the ideas of separate members. I have never had too much trouble compromising, though.

The first band I was ever in was called Hexx. I was all of 12 years old, and I thought that was a really neat name for a band. I still do. Given the opportunity I’d definitely use that one again. I think it suits my style quite well.

That only lasted about a year. When I was 13, we changed the name to Palladin, which was a name given to Charlemagne’s knights. The only real difference in the band was the drummer (there is a reason Spinal Tap blows those up, I think), but everyone wanted a new name, and being the youngest person there, I didn’t argue, though I still prefer Hexx.

At 15, I left the company of my brother (who played guitar) and set out on my own. I joined a band called Aftermath. I like this name, as well. The songwriter (and rhythm guitarist) was very much into prophecy and apocalyptic themes. Our first original tune was fittingly called “Armageddon”.

At 16, I joined a band called Hexter Steel. I thought this a great metal band name, but I can’t remember how they came to it, as that was before my joining them. After that, I took time off from music. My father had died, and my boyfriend had been in an accident. I wouldn’t rejoin the music world until my early 20′s.

Then there was quite a string of bands. Malaki, Impact, Silent Mistress, Miss Der Meaner, and Wired, to name but a few. After these, I learned to play bass, and rejoined my brother.

We had bands such as Savage Steel (which lasted through most of the 90′s, with various drummers, though I swear we didn’t blow any of them up). These were always power trios, and we went by several other names in various incarnations later, such as Night Wing, Three, and even Booger.

Since leaving my brother for the last time, there have been a few more, such as Paradox VI, and Kounterstryk. This last was another compromise. I wanted to call it Counterspell, or Kounterspell (from my love the game, Magic the Gathering). My band mates; however, were afraid that between the name, and the fact that I look like the “witchy” chick off the first Black Sabbath album cover, we might get a rep. as some kind of Satanic band. I couldn’t argue.

I haven’t played with a band for a few years now, and the ones I did play with never seemed to make it to the “naming stage”, for one reason or another. Recently I have been thinking of forming a new band. Time to come up with a new name.

Originally published on FullofKnowledge.com

http://fullofknowledge.com/2013/08/whats-in-a-name-band-names-from-my-past/

Note: You won't find any of these bands here on Google, as they were all just local bands here in my area. Does anyone else have a long line of interesting band names?

Tool : Modern Metal With a Spiritual Element

Another band of which I am very fond is Tool. I have enjoyed their music since they first started releasing it in the early 90's. They are certainly not your average metal band. Some don't even consider them a metal band, but some their stuff is pretty "heavy", so I do. They actually combine elements of metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and many other genres.

One thing I love about this band is the fact that they are also very melodic. Most of the metal I prefer is very melodic. Tool is different; however, in that sometimes the timing is odd, in terms of different instruments, but still "fits" together quite nicely somehow. This combined with the fact that they often add a very "tribal" element, makes their music very unusual, and almost hypnotic at times.

This tribal element, as well as the spiritual aspect of many of their lyrics, is another reason for my fascination with them. The music moves me greatly. I find myself using it often when trying to meditate, a task that is actually very hard for me because I have a hard time getting my mind to shut up. Tool seems to help with that a bit.

I also enjoy dancing and doing yoga while playing Tool. I find my movements to be more fluid and natural than with any other music, and often end up combining yoga and dance together during the process. This too can be very meditative.

Here is a prime example of some really kool stuff Tool does. In this particular piece, you will find that the famous Fibonacci sequence has been used. This sequence is found throughout all of nature.

More on Fibonacci:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_number

Here is the Tool song, "Lateralus", with an explanation of how the Fibonacci sequence is used therein.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS7CZIJVxFY

http://fullofknowledge.com/2013/08/tool-modern-metal-with-a-spiritual-element/

Bass and It's Low Frequencies

I loved the sound of a bass guitar long before I began to play. There is something in the lower frequency ranges of it that just "moves" me. I find this a bit ironic, as my readings on these things have shown that lower frequencies in sound can actual depress, or even agitate people. I find that to be true when someone rides by my house with their low frequency "boom, boom, boom" bass speakers, and it vibrates my windows. It is not the case; however, when I hear a bass guitar.

It has nothing to do with volume either...I LOVE loud music...I am a metal head, after all. The lower vibrations of a bass guitar actual soothe me. I feel it to the very core of my being, every time.

I love hearing other bass players as much as I do playing myself. In fact, if any of my fellow bass players have kool songs or bass riffs you'd like to share, I'd simply LOVE hearing them. PLEASE, feel free to add videos, or sound bytes, or links in the comments below, or share them on my Google profile. I always love hearing new and different bass stuff.

When I get my camera situation ferreted out, I promise to share mine, as well. Thank you, in advance, and keep those low frequencies coming!  SHARE THE BASS LOVE!