PhatFunkBlues

Fellow musician Trav’Ler is back, having returned from a dark journey. He is bruised and battered from many battles with dark forces (internal & external). But he is also stronger and wiser from these experiences; he has spent the past week in bed, healing his wounds. Now he is feeling ready to tell his story through new songs.

Well, I’ve gone and done it again: I am playing with a local Olympia band “The Brown Edition”. These guys tear it up, playing courageously and with smiles on their faces. Miguel Pineda (guitar, vocals); Peter Crossman (electric bass); Ivan Gunderson (drums); & myself playing guitar.

I’m playing a lot of rhythm guitar in this band, with a few wailing solos throughout the evening. It’s fun to kick my effects pedals on…Yeah!

Ever have periods when you wonder if playing music is really still a passion or just something that you think you should do, because you always have?

It’s not so much whether to simply “Do it or Not”, but are there other pursuits in life that are more important? If so, can’t there be a balance?

hmmm….

Shayna Steele is my current favorite singer/songwriter. I’ve been listening to her new album “I’ll Be Anything” every night before falling asleep. Incredible songwriting & singing, funky grooves played by great musicians!

Georgia Anne Muldrow writes and plays incredible Soul music that is SO super funky! Here is another web site for her current musical projects and collaborations.

The holiday season is here; I have decided to delay the purchase of a Jetter Jetdrive Dual Overdrive pedal until after the first of the year. There are a number of kids in my life whose needs are more important than the acquisition of another effect pedal. I did buy a low budget DigiTech Bad Monkey to hold me over temporarily until after Christmas.

I must say that, even though I previously owned a Bad Monkey and was fairly unsatisfied with it, I have since been using a Jetter Gain Stage Red (GSR). The Jetter GSR really brings the Bad Monkey to life, and I am surprisingly very satisfied with the overall phat boost it gives my solos. So the combination of the two pedals will have to suffice until I can raise the funds for a Jetter Jetdrive.

After much more consideration, and again, NO hands-on testing, I have revised my decision to purchase a Jetter GS3 Dual Overdrive Pedal, instead I am now going with the brand new Jetter Jetdrive Dual Overdrive Pedal. I contacted Brad Jeter, the owner and designer of Jetter Pedals. We discussed the comparisons between the GS3 & Jetdrive, he gave his own opinions on them. But ultimately, I have to choose which pedal is right for me. If I’m correct, the Jetdrive is designed to sound more like the tone of a guitar amp just on the edge of breaking up, whereas the GS3 is designed to sound more like an overdrive pedal (if that makes any sense).

After much thought and research, although NO hands-on testing, I have decided to purchase a Jetter GS3 Dual Overdrive Pedal, to complete my guitar pedalboard. This should give me a wide array of lead tones, when soloing on either of my guitars, a Fender Strat & a Fender Tele, each of which have radically different tonal capabilities.

Come to Blue Bottle Espresso on Sat, Nov 21 to see and hear Kevin Christensen, the new drummer for “Be Hear”. I just met Kevin at our last gig, two weeks ago. I am impressed by his big ears, chops, and overall enthusiasm. We’ll also have a few more new songs to play.

I’ve been busy working at my day job, which has just increased from 20 hours to 40 hours per week. The challenge for me now is to maintain a healthy music practice schedule. I know I can do it but it’s going to take some organization and dedication on my part.

Like, not watching a movie after work so I can play guitar instead. Even 60-90 minutes per day can make a difference in keeping my guitar playing skills up to par. I got spoiled, having entire days to play. At least I can pay my bills more comfortably now, plus have a little extra funds to keep my music gear intact. Hmmm, I’ve been wanting a Cusack Screamer V2 overdrive pedal lately.

The first-ever “Be Hear” demo recording is online.

Recorded at Step-Headed Studio, in Tacoma, WA in August 2009, it features Cara Clarke (vocals), Stefan Abuan (guitar), Steve Bartlett (bass), and Merwin Kato (drums).

A special “Thank You” to Merwin Kato, who came in, completely unfamiliar with our music, and laid down the drum tracks; this was the first time we had ever met. He is a complete professional, a gentleman, and he plays super funky!

A big “Thanks” goes to engineer Joe Strom and producer Mikel Rollins (who also added a few touches on the bass & guitar parts).