tag:brookadams.com,2005:/blogs/el-borko-s-blog?p=2El Borko's Blog2024-03-14T19:32:29-07:00brookadams.comfalsetag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/73672932024-03-14T19:32:29-07:002024-03-14T19:32:30-07:00Waiting For Spring<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/8ae3f12c61cad96753eb1a4586b3b72cbccb3bd6/original/monstersball2023.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1366" /><p>Sometimes, you gotta sit still. Last year was a relentless flow of performances. I loved it, but by December I felt exhausted and burned out. In addition, El Borko's drummer Cam is in New Orleans until April so No surf shows for a while.</p><p>Even so, I'm writing and practicing again and planning two El Borko tours in 2024 and lotsa shows with the Miller Brothers and my pal Rob Tobias. I got... IDEAS! so stay in touch, there's much music to come.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/72859632023-10-10T19:33:21-07:002023-10-16T07:57:52-07:00A Tool For Living<p><span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/eef8ec0a2729e01e94724ff79f0ff62cd7b7d4ac/original/patt18.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Do you write for yourself or for others? Does it matter? As a kid, before I could play an instrument, I would make up songs. There was "That House Is Haunted" which sounded a lot like "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", and "The Chinese Song" which sounded a lot like "Baja" (by The Astronauts). These were not good songs, but I could imagine the instrumentation and the sound based on the pop music that we heard on the radio. I don't remember feeling a need to share these songs with anyone. I can say with confidence that I was writing for my own enjoyment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>As a teenager, I learned guitar and started playing music with other teens. We had strong opinions about the artists we liked and we were impressed by what appeared to be their carefree, hedonistic lifestyle. I began writing music for two reasons; one, because my pop idols did it so I should do it, and two, if you want things done your way, you gotta do it yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>The more you do anything, the better you get at it, and almost anything you make yourself is better; a loaf of bread, a garden wall, a poem, or a painting, you made it, it's yours, it’s better. I enjoy most styles of music, but in my life, when the world wasn't providing any cool tunes, I could always make my own. In the 80s, I made home recordings and shared with other home recorders. Many of us (myself included) hoped that someday we'd write a hit song and be launched into an exciting new world. Well, the years have passed and I'm still obscure, but I have a catalog now, and every now and then I hear from people who tell me they like my work. That's pretty nice, especially when it's one of my favorites.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>Going back to the start then, do you write for yourself or for others? Does it matter? I think it does not. You can cook a Thanksgiving dinner or just make yourself a sandwich. Either way, you're making something. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span>We are social creatures, and music is a form of communication, so I think everything we write is, on some level, meant for others to hear. At the same time, consider your own inner dialogue. Sometimes the communication is within ourselves, but sometimes a message meant for ourselves has meaning for others too. The notes and chords and lyrics make us feel a certain way. That feeling might represent a question or an emotion or an affirmation. To inspire, or motivate, or soothe another person is a great accomplishment. You've created a tool for living. You've made the world a better place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/72377592023-07-06T11:16:21-07:002023-07-06T11:16:22-07:00Never Too Late<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/200cbf14536d388d61d1965ea91d33e430d52aeb/original/stickskyscape.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I started learning B♭ clarinet in fifth grade. I hated it. I wanted a trumpet, but my folks had a problem with the volume. Anyway, it's hard to learn music when you dislike the sounds you're making, so I gave up on written music. Well, the joke was on Mom and Dad when I started playing electric guitar. Volume... hoo-boy.</p><p>Fast-forward to the late eighties. I'd been playing in bands for a decade now and still musically illiterate. I was in a pick-up group, rehearsing for a show. I was teaching a part to the saxophone player. We were slogging through it, note by note, when suddenly the sax player excused himself and went out to his car. "I'll be right back", he said. He returned with a music notebook and a pencil. He scribbled out the notes, played 'em back, and we were good to go. Wow! I was so impressed. The next day I went to the library and checked out a book about reading and writing music.</p><p>I've read about people who learned to read and write, or picked up a language later in life. They may never be as facile as those who learned as kids, but you can still learn. I can look at a written page and work out the notes and time. I can follow along and keep my place in the music, but it's unlikely I'll ever be able to sight read. I'm okay with that because even so, I can figure things out and also write charts for good players to do my songs.</p><p>Surprise! I'm not gonna tell you to go out and learn to read music. I'll just say that it's never too late to learn something new. In fact, it's never too late to do anything. Until the day your heart stops beating, you are on the road to the best you can be. Trust yourself, follow that road, and don't be afraid. Life is a one way trip, so make the best of it. Take a chance, go for it, feel the wind on your face as you crest that hill at a hundred miles an hour. </p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/72062932023-05-10T08:59:38-07:002023-05-10T08:59:39-07:00Artificial Stupidity<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/2543059a2ee8a695eb09c3dc325321093c445ccc/original/howdoyoufeel4.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />An encounter with "Artificial Stupidity". I posted on an event for a gig today and facebook took the post down calling it "hate speech". What?! I gave the dates and band names and put up a drawing. Did the algorithm object to the drawing? I'm putting the exact same message and picture up on brookadams.com so you can decide. grumble grumble...</p><p>HERE IS THE POST THAT FACEBOOK CALLED "HATE SPEECH".</p><p>…and the image that went with it… </p><p>If you need a good reason to go out on a Tuesday here it is. The Schizophonics, this coming Tuesday May 16, supported by TWO cool local bands. Schizophonics play straight up RAWK. And dig the guy leaping around like crazy while playing guitar with ONE hand! Whaaa? That's the price of admission already... Then there's Dead See cranking out more RAWK and El Borko ¡Surf! playing... well, SURF. You can be late to work the next day. Come dig the show.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/72021942023-05-03T08:55:44-07:002023-05-03T08:55:45-07:00Back In The Pleistocene<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/0d0ae21cc024fc583b4db8d1c89eb7ddaac00820/original/iwillrocku.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />I attended high-school back in the Pleistocene Era and played electric guitar in a garage band. After graduation, I left the city and moved to a small town to attend college. Alas, there was no real rock there, just a buncha guys in chambray shirts trying to sound like the Eagles, strummy, drug-store-cowboy, schlock. Ugh.</p><p>Funny how we adapt to our circumstances. Within a year or so I was beating on an acoustic guitar five nights a week at the Holiday Inn. My thunderous Traynor Mark III amplifier, demoted to a makeshift PA. On the bright side, learning new songs quickly and cranking them out for hours, night after night was a real education. My hokey-folkey period dragged on for years. One acoustic duo of mine even opened for Taj Mahal once. He was unimpressed.</p><p>I joined a country band and returned to electric guitar. Oh baby! Everything changed. We played beer joints around the southwest where the first set was Hank and Merle for the older folks, and the second set was Skynrd and Zeppelin for the younger crowd. After that was a top 40 band, travelling around the midwest playing mid-80s pop.</p><p>In the 90s, married, with kids, we moved to Eugene, Oregon. There were rock bands and so many guitar players! Since then, I've played in lotsa different groups here, acoustic and electric. So finally, let's get to the point of all this. For me, there's no better feeling than playing electric guitar in a band. The energy, group vibe, and real time cooperation is similar to playing team sports. For feeling alive and in-the-moment, you can't beat it.</p><p>I'm not a successful musician in any conventional sense, no fame, no fortune, no record royalties, but music has made meaning in my life. An identity, a community, lifelong friends, and a whole lot of stories. It's still working for me. I wouldn't change a thing.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71948612023-04-21T18:17:31-07:002023-04-21T18:17:32-07:00El Borko ¡Surf!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/37b634e1882827e290e8e858740cbad204564547/original/ebsurfgreatwavefront.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />It's here! The new album is finally done!</p><p>El Borko ¡Surf! is the first album with Cameron Wick on drums and James P. Daley on bass. I've been around the Pacific Northwest with these guys, they're fun to hang out with and they play great. Let's not forget Jon Neher whose steel-guitar and stellar sax playing put the shine on everything he touches. We're stoked to put out this record. </p><p>Barracuda Foodra:<br>A barracuda bites someone, and I think of "cuda" food, like the french expression "Coup de foudre".</p><p>Super FKN Happy:<br>You're in a bad relationship, and your partner wants to break up. You might just feel super FKN happy.</p><p>Revenge Of The Lobsterman:<br>By James P. Daley. From a photo of dada-ist poet Hugo Ball performing his poem "Karawane".</p><p>Square Rumba:<br>By Cameron Wick. He added lyrics after winning a bikini dance contest. There's video, but you can't un-see it.</p><p>Whiskey Sherman:<br>Used to be called Whiskey Shaman, but we like this name better.</p><p>Sunwave:<br>Just a jam with some nice changes.</p><p>Zotika:<br>For Mark Riddle at Quiet Village Podcast. Let's drink some Mai Tais!</p><p>Unlucky Dragon:<br>Daigo Fukuryū Maru was a Japanese fishing boat irradiated by nuclear tests on Bikini Atoll in 1954.</p><p>Oh Marcia Reef:<br>Doctor Zhivago goes surfing. You get it, or you don't.</p><p>Moon of Mukilteo:<br>Mukilteo is where you catch the ferry to Whidbey Island.</p><p> </p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71835012023-04-03T16:16:44-07:002023-04-03T16:16:45-07:00Mucho Trabajo<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/f5e670419a4fe772cd1667035adbf21c86886154/original/newsrocksm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Most people who have recorded an album know how much work it is. You have to write the songs, then play the songs, then record the songs. Then you gotta mix the songs, master the songs, make an album cover and duplicate the record. Then you gotta tell the world what you did and try to sell some copies. Massive undertaking. Is it worth it?</p><p>There's a place in Utah called Newspaper Rock where you can see 2000 year-old petroglyphs made by the Anasazi, Pueblo, and Navajo cultures. They made a record of their experience for future people to see. I think our motivation is the same. It's rooted in some deep psychological compulsion. Our record may go nowhere. We as individuals are no match for the corporate-multi-national marketing system, so it's unlikely we will be discovered and launched into celebrity orbit, but that doesn't matter. If we can find like minded music lovers out there and give them something they can enjoy, then we have succeeded.</p><p>I'm finishing a new album, and like every one before it, I'm sure it's "the best one ever". Who knows if that's true? What I know is that it's my best effort so far, and I like what I made and I hope someone else will too. That's the best we can do.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71789462023-03-26T20:42:07-07:002023-03-26T20:42:07-07:003 Great Guitarists<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/68f1b598caaeb5cafdb3d1fac6f7f4d3e95d7f32/original/mc6.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I enjoy talking about music and musicians but what's left to say about the big names in guitar? We all have our favorites. Debating is fun but the subjects are always the same. I have a list of three excellent players you may not have heard of. With one exception, they present regularly on YouTube but the one who doesn't post content is the subject of many videos.</p><p>Andy Martin from Portland, Oregon started out doing pedal demos for the now defunct Pro Guitar Shop. His videos are full of great rock riffage and a variety of tones. He drops in classic riffs and occasional humor. One unique aspect of his playing is that he plays without a pick. You'd never know it if you didn't see it for yourself in his videos.</p><p>Jay Leonard J from Vancouver BC has a relentless energy and friendly vibe. Like Andy Martin, I discovered him through his gear demos on YouTube. His playing is characterized by a dense rhythm with incredible detail and texture. He tends more toward busy rhythm parts than single note solos. His playing is fun.</p><p>Dave Wronski from somewhere in southern California is in my opinion the best surf guitar player. You gotta hear his band, Slacktone. Along with incredible technique and xlnt songwriting, he's a master of dynamics and tone. Like Jay Leonard J, he can wring endless variations out of a simple chord progression. Rhythm guitarist? Why bother?</p><p>I wanna also mention Joe Shadid from Reverb and Josh Scott of JHS Pedals. Both excellent players and funny too.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71572652023-02-20T09:12:53-08:002023-03-26T20:35:20-07:00About Surf Part II<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/391174/7486e49bc60923ec1f8cbaa1c1c701da37efca52/original/mid-century-modern-bowls-kenny-wright.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />It's fun to break down a genre into sub-genres and see what they bring to the whole. Here are four possible sub-genres for surf music; cinematic drama, barefoot beach party, hotrod hoodlum, and sensuous jungle tiki.</p><p>Cinematic drama is the first principle of surf music. Dick Dale said he wanted to capture the sound of the ocean and the thrill of surfing. The fast tempos and minor cadences of surf music sound exotic and dangerous. They also map easily onto cinematic ideas like spies, monsters, and desperados. Examples would be Pipeline (Chantays), Miserlu (Deltones), Rumble at Waikiki (Jon & the Nightriders).</p><p>The barefoot beach party is just what it sounds like. Major keys, catchy hooks, and even (gasp) harmony vocals. It's party time and everybody is dancing and having fun. Examples? Malibu Run (Richie Allen), Baja (Astronauts), Longboard Legato (Slacktone), and the goofy ultra-choreographed dance sequence in the movie "Horror of Party Beach".</p><p>Duane Eddy and The Ventures might be more rockabilly than surf but their contributions are essential. The low string, tremolo twang of Rebel Rouser and Forty Miles of Bad Road are iconic and the Ventures wrote the book on clean snappy guitar. The Hot Rod, Surf, and Latino cultures of 50s and 60s SoCal are different corners of the same world.</p><p>Thousands of WWII veterans brought back memories of the Pacific Islands and the mysterious lands beyond. Trader Vic and Don The Beachcomber invented tiki culture which fits right in with the sunny vibe of surfing. The exotica sounds of Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman are the "sensous jungle tiki" part of surf. Make a bird noise here...</p><p>Any nostalgia one might hear in surf is less about music and more about the energy and optimism of a high point in American history. Because of it's diverse roots, surf music brings that energy and optimism to any place or time. The many influences of surf give musicians a wide stylistic range of expression. So whether you're a ducktailed, bass-thumping rockabilly, a dive-bombing adrenaline junkie, or a laid back ganja-hipster, there's room for all under the banner of surf!</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71490172023-02-05T11:14:32-08:002023-02-05T11:17:55-08:00About Surf part I<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/c7b1729c1ccd367e16ce81bcaadc5a236efa91da/original/mid-century-modern-pattern-jacquelyn-stewart.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="mid-century modern" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Ask someone for an example of surf music, then get ready for many different answers. Some will say "Beach Boys", some will say "Dick Dale", some will talk about the Ventures or Duane Eddy. They are all correct. </p>
<p>Surf music developed in Southern Califonia at a time of relative peace and affluence. Surfing was just one of many interesting pastimes available to young people. The music of the time reflected that. There was country and honky tonk, r&b and soul, progressive jazz and rock n' roll. All these sounds found their way into surf music. </p>
<p>Surf music combined flamenco guitar and middle eastern folk melodies with the new electric country music from Phoenix and Bakersfield. Chuck Berry's pentatonic riffs and Bo Diddley's driving rhythm blended with exotica and tropical sounds of the Pacific islands. </p>
<p>The new electric instruments pioneered by Leo Fender took this synthesis to another level. Electric bass combined with drums to make muscular rhythm for loud electric guitars which by themselves created a new vocabulary of sounds; thundering glissandos, incisive tremolo picking, whammy bars, reverb and tube distortion. We're accustomed to these sounds now, but in the early 60s, they were futuristic. The original surf bands were pioneers on the frontiers of music. </p>
<p>The surf-revival of the 80s and 90s brought a similar energy with the DIY ethic of punk and the culture jamming of film noir, horror and burlesque into the mix. So surf music isn't about nostalgia for another time, it's about extending known cool things into new cool things. </p>
<p>So here we have the great diversity of modern surf music. There are neo traditionalists like Slacktone and Surfer Joe, fulminating space punk like Daikaiju and Retrofuguetes, and psychedelic voyagers like the Mermen and Insect Surfers. The field is small but diverse. All you have to do is start with the basics. Learn the classic songs and then let your inspiration carry you to the new frontiers of the most exciting music... Surf!</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71444552023-01-27T08:46:47-08:002023-01-27T08:53:39-08:00You're Not Alone<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/208f58e4bb8e14c5855fca8a344380b121c06b0b/original/the-great-wave-off-kanagawa.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="great wave of kanagawa" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Like Indiana Jones sinking into quicksand, civilization seems to be struggling to keep afloat. Along with the woes of the world, we have our own private problems to solve. Sometimes it's hard to keep from being overwhelmed. </p>
<p>Sometimes just knowing that others experience the same feelings and challenges can make you feel better. Music tells that story well because it goes beyond words. Music evokes feelings that bring back the past and project your hopes on the future. </p>
<p>I saw a short film about Marvin Gaye where he said, "I wanna write songs that make people cry". Just yesterday I heard a song that did that. I think I understand what he meant. </p>
<p>If we as musicians can make you cry or laugh or just jump up and down, then maybe there's hope in the world that we can make things better.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71284372023-01-09T20:30:21-08:002023-01-09T20:38:06-08:00Looking Ahead<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/02cbcc93fe78b2ba5675a40a9fe6944fb0f2d5b5/original/img-7843.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el borko" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I spent 2021 releasing and promoting two albums (Surf Monster & Surficana) and putting together the current line-up of El Borko ¡Surf!. I spent 2022 booking and playing gigs with El Borko ¡Surf!. Here at the end of the year, we've started work on a new record. </p>
<p>We played some fun shows with Real Gone Trio, Egotones, Yeti Set Go, Shade 13, Iffin, Vox Romana, Stick Buck, Black Sand Beach, Frankenhooker, and 2106 Band. Looking forward to new adventures in 2023.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71212872022-12-11T11:17:12-08:002022-12-11T11:17:13-08:00Thank You All<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/c5632f6069e03d43d6aae84f3a0004a016f2b158/original/img-0614.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="El Borko" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Thanks to everyone who came out to see El Borko or The Miller Brothers or any other shows this past year. Your support means a lot. Special thanks to Celeste from Yeti Set Go, Rob Tobias, Lisa Rennie, Beau Eastlund, Joe Palumbo, Sean Brennan, Jeff Cotton and all those sax players... Scott, Brody, and Russell. Most of all thanks to my friends and bandmates Tim Miller, Jeff Alberts, Jon Neher, James Daley, and Cameron Wick (the teenage werewolf).</p>
<p>I wish more and better for everyone in the coming year.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/71060012022-11-18T18:25:52-08:002022-11-18T18:25:52-08:00New All The Time<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/f307e05950852fdb90dbf36903929fab71c4e4b6/original/plastichead1mb.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="plastic head" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Everything has to be new all the time. Does everything have to be new all the time? Why does everything have to be new all the time? Everything new happens all the time. So every time a thing is new what does it have to be? Does anything have time to be new? Cause that would be new every time.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/70921402022-10-31T07:31:33-07:002022-11-13T13:41:05-08:00New Songs!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/ef92d116c8f44fcf86756c7862ea5444f1a5dc04/original/ebssticker2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el Borko ¡Surf!" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />If you've seen El Borko ¡Surf! in the last two months then you've heard some songs from our next album. I doubt if anyone pays such close attention that they'd notice and of course, we don't always announce the titles. So you might have already heard "Whiskey Shaman", "Square Rhumba", or "Super FKN Happy" and just didn't know it. </p>
<p>We're going into the studio this Saturday to start on the rhythm tracks. I expect it'll take a month or so to get everything recorded. Then comes mixing and mastering. My guess is that we'll have a record done by February or March. </p>
<p>In the meantime... I have some stickers that say El Borko ¡Surf! Sign up for my mailing list and I'll send you one. By the way, I don't share my list with anyone so the only spam you'll get is from me and you can unsubscribe any time.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/70821182022-10-15T11:07:07-07:002022-10-15T11:07:08-07:00A Thick Weekend<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/791e0ed74bc4dcb1bf5043ce467e33a36f41b887/original/img-0625.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el borko poster" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Sometimes we do things just to see if we can. This week was an example of that where I played an El Borko show in Seattle on Thursday, a Miller Brothers show in Eugene on Friday and tonight it's up to the High Desert Music Hall in Redmond for another El Borko Show. I see now what I'm trying to do with El Borko... It started out as a vehicle to play my original surf music but the band has really developed into a good thing. While we have the energy and motivation, I want to see how far we can take it. Not as an exercise in ego, but as a challenge. I think this coming year could be really fun with a little luck and some hard work.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/70537892022-09-05T19:07:25-07:002022-09-05T19:07:25-07:00El Borko ¡Surf!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/0a4d332c55a28324d33f195ea0e50e8f5ee0a524/original/img-3390.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el borko" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I have been so lucky to find such a great band. Jon Neher is a loyal friend and a great musician. He brings intensity and life to everything he does. James P. Daley illustrates the maxim, "still waters run deep". Endlessly creative, and a funny, goofy, weirdo. Cameron Wick is one of the best drummers I've ever played with. Always positive and looking for new sounds. </p>
<p>A few other guys have played with us and done a great job too. Thanks to Tim, Sean, Russel, Brody, and Scott. I hope we can keep up the good work. This band is a blast.</p>
<p>(Jon's not in this picture 'cause he's a responsible adult) </p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/70374612022-08-13T19:38:04-07:002022-08-13T19:38:04-07:00You Gotta Hear It!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/7160cc525aa9efac9550653f16951cbe5d1fe83e/original/img-0408.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Collage by Barb Schenk" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I spend a lot of time promoting my band on various calendars, websites, and other Public Relations-y sorta things. You have to write descriptions of the band... over and over. Go to any events or band website and marvel at the same formula repeated ad-nauseum. </p>
<p>I have created here for you... a template. The items in parenthesis can be selected or replaced by your own ideas. This should create a familiar-style band description guaranteed to bore people even more than a buncha retired guys playing "born In Chicago" for the millionth time. </p>
<p>Here is the template: </p>
<p>The (xyz) band plays (new music old style, old music new style, soft music loud, loud music soft, bad music good, good music bad). They cover (style, style, style, and style), creating a (fusion, tension, extension, intervention, legionaires' convention) of (toe-tapping, booty shaking, mind bending) (groove, vibe, thang, shite*). *my fave </p>
<p>Their (amazing, award-winning, sartorially resplendent) (singer, guitar player, bagpiper, fire-eating parkour daredevil) and guy who isn't that great but does all the booking, weave their magical web of things they think are cool to create a synthesis of musical vibration that that explodes like an incontinent baboon on LSD. You gotta hear it!</p>
<p>I hope you like the image. It's by my friend Barb Schenk up in Portland.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/70328192022-08-07T17:42:54-07:002022-08-07T17:42:55-07:00No Expectations<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/3b09d814dd405a1758380ed577c24f56078734b0/original/img-0367.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="old peavey amp" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />It's no secret that our expectations can affect our outcomes. But it's so obvious that we often forget, and then undermine our own projects. I had some recent reminders of this. Here are two examples. </p>
<p>I just returned from a week-long art camp where I taught a music class. These usually culminate in some kind of performance for the other campers and they turn out well most of the time. This years class was especially good though. The class was small, everyone was 100% into it and one other thing... I went in with no expectations. I knew what I needed to do, and if I did my part, win or lose, I would know that I did my best. As it turned out, our scheduled performance time was moved up because dinner was delayed, resulting in a boisterous and appreciative audience. It was as good as any band gig I've ever had. </p>
<p>I have been having trouble with my guitar sound in El Borko ¡Surf!. I can play loud, but the tone is not punchy enough and certain nuances get lost in the mix. The answer is a beefier amp but such an amp is pretty spendy right now. Then recently I went to get guitar strings and there wasw an old Peavey from the 1980s in the store for cheep cheep. I tried it out and holy-moley! That thing is a beast. True, it weighs a ton, but I don't care, it has the sound I'm looking for... No expectations... and look how kool! </p>
<p>Well, I hope your summer is going well. If you have anything important coming up, try clearing your mind of expectations. Fear of failure, dreams of success, forget them. Just do your part and no matter what happens, you can move ahead, knowing you gave it the best you had.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/70286792022-08-01T18:03:25-07:002022-08-01T18:03:26-07:00I Love Making Demos<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/09224db1c003fd7541ad9dea1a8b88945a199aaa/original/img-0351.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="making demos" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />When you compose music, you might write down chord changes or lyrics. Some people actually write out a score. I do a little of each, but no matter how often I play it, I wanna hear what the finished product would sound like. Well eventually, I'll teach it to a band and record it, but I wanna hear it now. It's mostly vanity, but there are practical reasons for making a demo. You can experiment with the groove and the form and the arrangement. So... demos. </p>
<p>Did I mention that I love making demos? The song is new and exciting to you, and there's no pressure to make a record yet, so you can just have fun with it. I have tried many ways to demo songs, some better than others. The simplest way is to record it with your phone. If you have Garage Band you can multitrack. I must admit, Garage Band on my phone baffled me. I lacked the patience to figure it out. I also have a little Zoom camera/recorder that works well enough. One quick and dirty method is to use a looper. This can make a fairly dense recording, but it can be a chore to plug things other than a guitar or bass into the looper, and if you make a mistake you may need to start over (sigh). For a while I was making drum tracks in a teenage-engineering pocket-operator and putting them in a looper. I don't recommend it. </p>
<p>These days I use Ableton Live because it has midi-tracks and samples for drums, keys and other sounds. I use a Quilter Super-Block for the guitar and a midi controller for the drums. My friend has kept an extra bass at my house for years for practice but I use it a lot for recording. I use a cheap condenser mic for vocals although most of my current music is instrumental. I listen back mostly through headphones and then play the mixes through a variety of bluetooth speakers. I also copy mixes to a usb stick which I can play in my car. Driving down to the grocery store is fun when you have a new mix to listen to. </p>
<p>I usually play rhythm guitar to a click track and then play along to see if it sounds solid. If the rhythm is ok, I layer up guitars (sometimes vocals) and then add bass. Finally I open a midi track and start building drums. I build four or eight bar patterns for different sections of the song. I usually start with a kick and than add snare and some cymbals. when the patterns sound good I make a mix. Since it's a demo, I don't worry about fills and variatons until later, getting a good groove is more important. I don't do it all at once. I prefer to come back to it over a period of days. This gives me fresh ears and time to solve any problems with the mix, the tracks, or the song itself. </p>
<p>Once I have something I like, I listen to it a lot and refine it. There's one important thing though. Remember it's a demo. The final studio version may have different instruments and a different feel. When you play with other musicians, they bring their own talents to the mix. Trust your players and they usually make your music sound better. And of course, long after you've recorded the song for real, and perform it regularly with your band you will run across your demo among your stuff. It's fun to hear what your original idea was compared to the mature song. It's always fun. I love making demos.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69975012022-06-19T22:50:44-07:002022-06-30T18:57:37-07:00Exile on Vain St. Part III<p>There's no such thing as an "unknown" band. If you're a band, and you play out, then someone must know you. I've played gigs where it was us and the bartender and two drunk people who left after awhile. So those three people, outnumbered by the band, who probably don't care one way or another, "know" us as a band. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/c4b8194d88767f41af1ad4ddc77671832dddfb97/original/beergoggles.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="who is that?" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />"Unknown" is like "organic", it has a meaning beyond it's formal definition. I think that meaning is "not famous", and by "famous", I mean most people in the world know who you are, or can google you and see how many people think you are peachy-keen. So I ask, "How well known do you need to be?". What do you want out of "fame"?. You can be a local hero and that might be enough. If you want more than that, maybe you need more fame. </p>
<p>I have written before about the challenge of exciting an audience. You can do this in your home town without any help from the rest of the world. If your goal is to see if it works in other towns, or your town is small and you need more places to play, then you might need more fame. Maybe you want to earn some money, or... (dare I say it) a living. Well, then you definitely need more fame, because, as the composer Georges Bizet (Carmen) said about music, "What a beautiful art, but what a wretched profession". </p>
<p>To expand your territory, you need to play better and work harder at the business of music. The more you expand, the harder you must work. Can you do it? Is it worth it? How much is enough? Can you be satisfied? </p>
<p>A friend recently told me about two musicians, one motivated by ego, and one by creative passion. I think both are valid reasons to pursue fame. In fact, the steps you need to take are almost the same. Given equal resources, I imagine ego-driven musicians have a better chance because they aren't limited by their creative needs. They can change what they're doing to advance their quest, whereas the path for those with a specific creative vision is narrower. </p>
<p>So, can an "unknown" musician find fulfillment? If that musician is you, then you should be honest with yourself and consider what you want against the possibility of getting it. If you want to play fun gigs and meet people, and enjoy music, you can have success anywhere. But if your goal is world domination, you better get started, 'cause time is running out.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69677412022-05-10T08:28:48-07:002022-05-10T08:29:48-07:00Exile on Vain St. Part I<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/da665f34e3725c71ba34d8c622f87000edec2705/original/keef.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Keef & Charlie" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I like the early Rolling Stones, they were rowdy and innovative, but the Mick Taylor period is my favorite. I was a teen, discovering music and girls, and guitar just as the Stones were maturing into a great band. Time passes and people change. I still enjoyed the old stuff, but their new stuff contained less and less good stuff. After the album Some Girls, I lost all interest. The Rolling Stones had became a bloated, nostalgia-farting, cash-cow. Mick Jagger tried going solo and discovered he was more like David Cassidy than David Bowie. As the rest of the band died or faded from the scene, only Keef and Charlie kept their integrity, then Charlie died. I wouldn't say the band died with him though, they've been dead for 30 years. </p>
<p>This year is the 50th anniversary of the album, Exile On Main Street. Anniversaries are opportunities for big profit so everyone will pretend this was a fantastic album but I disagree. It's not bad, but it's not great. Compare it to other albums that were slagged by critics but sold well; Abbey Road, Led Zeppelin II, Dark Side Of The Moon, Bad, Nevermind? Not even close. I think Sticky Fingers was probably the Rolling Stones' peak. By the time they recorded Exile On Main Street, they were hanging out in Villa Nellcôte drunk and shooting smack. It's remarkable they could make an album at all. A lesser band couldn't have done it. The recording was chaotic and uneven, but they had the money and connections to hire capable people to turn this raw material into an album. The results came out surprisingly well, but there's not enough good material for a double album. </p>
<p>Exile On Main Street is overrated because a few excellent tracks shine through a lot of hopeless bilge. You might be angry that I don't share your enthusiasm, even though I like, even love, some of the songs. Here's an idea, why not imagine Exile On Main Street cut down to just one LP, maybe then it might actually be a great album. Which songs would you toss? Which songs would you keep? </p>
<p>Suggestion for the technically nerdy: A vinyl record can only hold about 22 minutes of music per side without significant loss of sound quality. If you really wanna get into this exercise, make your choices fit into 44 minutes. Godspeed.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69587092022-04-27T19:58:21-07:002022-04-27T19:58:21-07:00Bands Are Teams<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/1d5b2055b9aaaa8e486361f0072735c325ecdcca/original/laughing.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="El Borko Surf at Viking Braggot" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Playing in a band is similar to playing on a sports team. Each member has a particular skill. You have a practice schedule. You have gigs/games. At the gig/game, things don't always go the way they did at practice. The analogy breaks down here 'cause the success of a gig is subjective where the score of a game is not. Nonetheless, when things are going well, the band really works together. There is non-verbal communication, error-recovery, and improvisation. Teamwork is fun. </p>
<p>Likewise, the psychology of the band affects the things I just described. I have played in a variety of groups, some were loose collectives and some were dictatorships. Some were fun and some were tense. All the rules of social behavior are in play here. Treat people with respect and trust and they will have your back. Treat people mean and cold and they will shut down. </p>
<p>An audience can see if the band is happy or not. When the band is having a good time, the audience wants in on the fun. I'm not suggesting that anything goes, but a less skillful act having fun will get a better response than a group of uptight virtuosos. </p>
<p>I love winding up an audience, but it's less about ego and more about the challenge of doing it. Can you put the ball through the hoop, can you ski the black diamond, can you excite this crowd? It's about the challenge. To accomplish the goal you need a band who knows what they're doing, with players who work together as a team. I don't need to talk about treating your bandmates and your audience with respect and consideration, you should know that, but when the band is a team, and the stars are aligned, the music fills the moment and it's good to be alive.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69512902022-04-18T18:55:05-07:002022-04-18T18:55:42-07:00Personality of Songs<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/e4a0cc0e8f6c89a8fec3b7786b9292e7ca4b3e9a/original/elborkosurf2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el borko surf" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />When making setlists, I imagine each set as a one act play where each song is a character or an event. In this context, a song has a role and a personality. The opening song is vivacious and engaging. The next song or two develop the plot. The third or fourth song guides the listener further into the story. I use contrast, dynamics, tension, and release to build my set, hopefully leading to a dramatic finale. I can't say it always works, but when it does, it's great fun. </p>
<p>Planning setlists will improve your repertoire. Are there songs that always work? Are there songs that never work? Are there too many ballads and not enough rockers? As you build sets, you will identify the duds and replace them with better songs. With a good mix of rhythms, tempos, and key signatures you can create interesting sets that build to a big finish. </p>
<p>I label songs by title, key, tempo, year, and artist. This allows me to group them in interesting ways. You can also label them as uptempo, midtempo, ballads, or rockers. You can make a note of who sings or plays a featured solo. All this detail can be overwhelming, but if you get stuck, just remember it's only a setlist. Eventually, the audience will dictate what you play. Requests come in, a listening crowd starts dancing, things happen. You'll almost always adjust your set on the fly. </p>
<p>In the end, you don't need to get too precious about your setlists. The act of making one compels you to think about the important elements of your show; engagement, variety, pacing, and payoff. It's one more tool in your kit to do what music does best, to wake people up, open their hearts, and make them feel good.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69276762022-03-20T22:02:57-07:002022-03-20T22:02:57-07:00Damn you mom and dad! <p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/c13bd38d3f3c7c4e68bc3a58484a2cdee3dc1e54/original/kid-in-a-tire1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="sophie" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I hated my middle name. So I made sure my kids had NO middle names. When they got old enough to notice these things thaey said; "Dad! why didn't you give us middle names?". You can't win. </p>
<p>Back in the 90s I bought the brookadams.com domain and I'm glad I did. I should have bought the ones with an "e" on the end too... Now when you google my name, there's a lady wrestler, a porn star, and Tony Shaloub's wife (she's a good actress). </p>
<p>In the last few years I have learned that the way to win this game is to post a lot of content. So you may see a lot of stuff from me. Some of it will be good, some will be crap, but it will be all Brook. Not the wrestler or the porn star or Tony Shaloub's wife... Really. </p>
<p>Funny real-life thing... The actress Brooke Adams' mom was named Rosalind (Gould) and my (Brook Adams) older daughter is named Rosalind... Ha!</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69219052022-03-14T11:09:15-07:002022-03-14T11:09:15-07:00Whatsa Genre?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/98d81f1c45c75ec055d75d7d7e3f92a1df7a944c/original/creature-from-the-haunted-sea-1961-01.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="goofy monster" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I saw a facebook post today which said... "What about changing the name of the group to ... No Strictly Surf Music Appreciation Society?". Right away I started thinking about what makes a musical genre. I realized that in any genre, you will find debate about 'what is' and 'what is not' representative of that style. As a thought experiment, I tried a comparison of jazz and bluegrass. My definition of jazz is, "A traditional folk style refined into complex instrumental music with identifiable harmonic and melodic forms." Oops! that's also my definition of bluegrass... and funk, and prog, and the Grateful Dead. What about country? Everyone knows what country music sounds like, right? Are Morgan Wallen and Miranda Lambert country? How much do they sound like Buck Owens or Dolly Parton? Is that important? </p>
<p>So lets dive into surf then... (ha ha, 'dive into surf') Are bands like Daikaiju or the Mermen surf? How much do they sound like Dick Dale or the Belairs? Does it matter? Maybe it's about whether the people who like the original sound are willing to accept the newer variations. I grew up listening to both surf and country music. I think new surf sounds more like old surf than new country sounds like old country, but then that's just my opinion. </p>
<p>Wunna my favorite things about surf music is how it seems to be a crossroads for many other styles. If you like Duane Eddy, or Gene Vincent, or Iron Butterfly, or Ennio Morricone, you'll probably enjoy surf music. Any style has it's tropes. A clean Fender-style guitar sound with lotsa reverb, glissandos and wammy bar is very surfy, but surf music is more than that. Surf is energetic, dynamic, dramatic. It's about about danger and excitement. It's about feeling alive. </p>
<p>We should be careful not to draw the boundaries too tight around our favorite music. Music on the edge is often the most interesting and as we get used to the 'edgy' stuff, the edge itself moves further out. That's not to say that eventually, the variations on a style will cross some hitherto unknown boundary and become something else. Who would have guessed that Grandmaster Flash was the harbinger of a super popular new style of music? That in itself is beautiful. Art, like life, never sits still, it evolves. Evolution is not purposeful, it just follows the path of least resistance and it never ends. Music is like that too. As long as we last here in this world, music is with us, and in our hearts, it will go on forever.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69086662022-02-27T08:42:45-08:002022-02-27T08:42:45-08:00About Songwriting<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/c90c715bdea4641b49f44dd62ec0196cc86e8c98/original/mustardborko2012.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el borko mas joven" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I watched a bunch of youtube videos about songwriting. They covered a variety of subjects like how to write a hook, how to write a song, things you should do, things you shouldn't do. I'm not a prolific writer, but I have written, produced and performed my own work both solo and with bands for over 30 years. </p>
<p>The problem with most of the videos is the presentation. They seem to forget that teaching is performance. They tell you a song should get right to the point and not bore the listener, then they spend the next 5 minutes boring me to death. If these lectures were songs, they wouldn't be good enough for an amateur open mic night. </p>
<p>A common theme in these videos is how to manipulate the listener's feelings. It sounds creepy, but remember that this is the goal of most communication. Getting someone's attention and telling a story is the name of the game. I think this psychological approach is worth a try. There is, however a problem here. If your songs are written to compete with other songs in a noisy commercial environment, then what are you writing? If you want to make money, this will probably work. If you want to make art, it may not. </p>
<p>Art and commerce can co-exist and even be mutually beneficial, but there is a point where they must diverge. This is not so much a fork in the road as a choice about what's important. You can and should build some commercial elements into your art, but you must decide which will dominate, the art or the money. Once you answer this question, you have criteria for the myriad decisions you make as you write a song. </p>
<p>So what did I learn from these videos? I actually gleaned a few good ideas. I have some interesting things to think about and experiment with in the future, but I now suspect that some "professional" songwriters might be frustrated performers who elevate the importance of their craft to compensate for that weakness. One guy actually scorned the idea that a recording artist could write a good song. Two words... Willie Fucking Nelson. </p>
<p>This brings me to the last thing, the relentless marketing of a tiny segment of the world's musicians. Joni Mitchell once said she didn't think she would have made it as a musician in modern times because as she said and I paraphrase, "what the music industry wants now is someone with a certain look and the willingness to do what they're told.". So how does your song make it through the noise when the industry spends millions promoting pretty people to present the slick, mass produced, dog shit that pretends to be popular music? These videos further confirm my belief that the never-ending greed for more profit corrupts everything including music. </p>
<p>So here is my suggestion for how to write a song. Do use the psychology. Get people's attention and tell your story. Tell it with skill and style and make them feel something. Don't change your song because some money grubbing asshole told you how to appeal to the lowest common denominator. The Beatles didn't use a formula, neither did Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Joni Mitchell, Prince, Nirvana, Wilco, Foo Fighters. They just made good music and people recognized that and rewarded them for it. </p>
<p> </p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/69033752022-02-21T12:57:50-08:002022-02-21T20:54:49-08:00Why I Live Here<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/58ff9f37531038db6546c2919b9f5a51eb73ac63/original/birdsarentreal.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="birds aren't real" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />No... I don't mean in this house... This picture exemplifies what I like about Eugene, Oregon. You should google that phrase and be amused. It's cool to live in a town where people do stuff like this... "Like what?"... you ask. And I say, "beware of that sparrow!".</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/68946622022-02-10T19:58:44-08:002022-02-10T20:08:48-08:00Headmixer Larry<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/d6bdaea44471f2a4c695de13923edd4b73dd8726/original/hm-14.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Headmixer Larry & Maria Mala" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />In the 90s, my wife and I worked at a private school in Arizona. There is a campfire story about an unfortunate student called 'Headmixer Larry'. I love this story, it's many variations, and it's place in the memories of the many alumni of this school. When I formed the band El Borko ¡Surf!, I wrote my own variation with a surfing theme. Five of the songs on the album 'Surf Monster' are related in some way to the story. </p>
<p>My friends Rob Tobias and Michael Hall helped us make the video for the song 'Headmixer Larry'. The band is Jon Neher on steel guitar, Cameron Wick on drums, and James Daley on Bass. I think it came out well. It's cheesy, it's tacky... Go to the video page and have a look!</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/68897592022-02-05T16:49:21-08:002022-02-05T16:49:21-08:00The Dog Was A Lion<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/a44b84eb962603b730e54daab3de0cee364b9c3b/original/img-0016.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="veruca the cat" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Once when I was a kid, my brother and I made a lion's mane out of construction paper and taped it to the dog. Then we got a hula hoop and did a lion-tamer circus act. Our mom was unimpressed. </p>
<p>The other day I wondered, "what if she had really believed the dog was a lion?". Would we have carried on with the act? Would she have dragged us off to a safe place? We will never know. </p>
<p>This got me thinking about the question of being taken seriously. People have expectations about the things we release into the world. You need to live up to your fable. Recently, I got this desireable gig. Problems developed right away. My PA is too small for the room. The date was moved, some band members couldn't make it. The new date clashed with another band member's other band's other gig. </p>
<p>The result? My friend Tim will run the sound with his PA and sit in for a couple of songs. We found a sub for the missing member. The other band will play an opening set. I told 'em we'd shoot video, so now we gotta find someone to do that. </p>
<p>I could be stressed about this, but I'm actually enjoying how this show is evolving into something more fun than I had imagined, and... I have something to blather about. Best of all, the show is three weeks away. It's gonna be cool. You should come.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/68783352022-01-24T12:21:07-08:002022-01-24T12:21:07-08:00About Surf<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/d55de51bc52035ba6ac821bafb21bf46870156f6/original/elborkojan2022.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el borko and friend" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I have been an afficionado of surf music for 4 or 5 years now. I spent this time becoming familiar with the repertoire, reading about its history, and above all, learning to play it. To play and write music in a specific genre requires two things, an understanding of the style, and steady practice. In order to do this, I formed a band and recorded some music. Along the way, I developed some opinions about how to think about surf music from the perspective of a performer and composer. </p>
<p>The ease of a surfer riding a wave is an illusion. There’s so much skill and practice behind that apparently effortless glide. The same applies to playing surf music. One must master tremolo picking, glissandos, whammy-bar technique, and play with a fat sparkly tone. I mean, most guitar players can do these things, but the result doesn’t sound ‘surfy’ until you really work on it. Surf-guitar forums on the internet are full of discussions about what gear you need to get the right sound, but ultimately, that sound is in your fingers. </p>
<p>In addition to the mechanical skills, a player needs to know their neck positions and some music theory. In order to write surf, one should recognize what musical elements contribute to this unique sound. You can hear the influence of Flamenco, Gypsy and Doo-Wop styles in many surf songs. Notice how dynamics, texture, and tension/release combine to achieve a dramatic effect. </p>
<p>After all this analysis, remember that the first surf groups were garage bands. Young guys with limited skills and experience who figured it out as they went along. I played in a garage band as a teenager and the main thing was that the music had to sound cool. You did what you had to do to achieve that. This primitive element is the spark of life in surf music. Surf guitar should concentrate on cool riffs, cool changes, and cool noises. Surf has guitar solos, but they’re mostly short and sweet. Saxophone is better for wailing over that II V I progression. </p>
<p>I have written a number of surf tunes, some better than others. At least one song of mine was described as ‘not surf’. Well, I can understand if that critic doesn’t hear their favorite surf tropes in there, that’s ok. Many modern surf groups have really nailed the traditional surf sound. Jon & The Nightriders, The Eliminators, The Surf Dusters, and more. Many others have taken a divergent path. The Mermen, Daikaiju, The Insect Surfers can play surf but some of their songs are testing the limits of what people regard as surf. </p>
<p>To me, testing the limits is what it’s all about. We already know traditional ways to sound ‘surfy’ but who knows what new methods are out there, undiscovered, waiting to electrify our minds and delight our souls? So, I go back and forth. If I can compose a song that sounds like it was written in 1963, then I’m happy. On the other hand, if the ‘garage band coolness’ of my idea is leading out into the wild, I’m gonna go there. In the end, I’m going for good melody, slick arrangement, and fat, tasty, guitar tone!</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/68612152022-01-06T13:10:13-08:002022-01-06T16:25:08-08:00What makes a band?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/4a88790fecb276b28f911c6ef1f528e9381624aa/original/miller-brothers.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="miller bros band" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Some bands are famous, we all know about them. Some bands are only known in their locality or genre. This second kind interest me more than the famous ones. A few of these groups actually make a living at it but most play because they like what they do. This means they do the booking, the schlepping, the rehearsal, and the (sometimes difficult) social interactions for the love of music. </p>
<p>The world of music is vast. The 'music business' is just a part of that world. The top acts on Spotify and each years' Grammy nominees represent the best and the worst with a bias toward the worst. The corporate demands of business degrade any product because profit is valued above quality. For example, it's possible to get an enjoyable meal at Taco-Bell or a decent cup of coffee at a 7-11 but you can't count on it. </p>
<p>Every town has it's music. In my thirty years here, I've grown to appreciate what we have. I have learned that the heart of any music scene is a collection of people who really care about getting their music out there. You can be highly trained or rough and primitive, the key ingredient is motivation. </p>
<p>People are gonna flake on you, schedules will disintegrate, the band will turn your song into cacaphonous mess. You just take it in stride and keep going. One day all the parts will come together, all smiles on stage and the audience diggin' it. Everybody happy, that's the reward.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/68145842021-11-18T16:23:18-08:002021-11-18T16:23:18-08:00Ridiculous Dream<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/d5d41659fcbb4d06b7fc1d6ab95aecee2622c8dd/original/bubbaspicsm.gif/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="sophie's drawing" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Sometimes a sleeping person's environment influences their dreams. Okay, so my cat jumps up on the bed early in the morning and puts her whiskers in my face so I will get up and feed her. I think this was the 'trigger' for my ridiculous dream.</p>
<p>I dreamed I woke up and a baby was crawling toward me on the bed and putting it's face on my nose. In the dream I said, "Oh! I guess I had a baby.". Then I got up and put pillows on the bed so my 'baby' wouldn't fall off. When I came back to the room the baby sat up and said, "What happened?". I told the baby that I must've had it so it was my child, then I left again. When I returned to the room a third time the baby was now a young adult and I said he was ready to go live on his own. Good luck! Then I woke up.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/68018582021-11-08T08:23:48-08:002021-11-08T08:23:48-08:00Ooh... Crunchy!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/a088743e037ee68b1aa48953bbaf9cac7857f9ed/original/04120034.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="machinery" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I just read an interesting book about the rise and fall of "classic rock", Twilight Of The Gods by Steven Hyden. The author has an amusing writing style and makes a good case for leaving the dinosaurs of rock to fossilize in peace. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Led Zep, and Pink Floyd but condensing one branch of music into some kind of "lifestyle" is pretty dumb. </p>
<p>Defining music by style is convenient sometimes but I like to mix the flavors. And speaking of flavors... have you heard of Cuneiform records? What's that you ask? Who are Cuneiform Records? I suggest you go there and find out. <a contents="https://cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">https://cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com/</a></p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67998252021-11-05T14:14:20-07:002021-11-05T14:14:20-07:00Surf Tiki Halloween<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/b6fe2c5d5c3a95bb0f30726bc513e5535f10714a/original/tikibar.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="the monkeys paw" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />One of my favorite scary stories from middle school English class was "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs. A creepy talisman from an exotic land causes badness. Imagine my delight when a Tiki Bar opened in Springfield called... Yes! The Monkey's Paw. I've been there a few times but our bass player, James Daley from El Borko Surf! goes there all the time.</p>
<p>Well James landed a Halloween show at the Tiki Bar. Three of the most fun things all at once. We took a sax player (Russell Sweet) who played great and our drummer Cam Wick sang "Teenage Werewolf" and played like a beast. Lotsa costumes, conga line during 'Tequila' and a good time had by all.</p>
<p>The Monkeys Paw is at 420 Main St. in Springfield. Go there...</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67862842021-10-25T10:30:55-07:002021-10-25T10:30:55-07:00Night Time Fun<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/92bc9040f6cc94e82c511914af73465276b3bb43/original/lunaparktrimmed.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="luna park melbourne australia" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />El Borko Surf! has one more show this month... at The Monkey's Paw tiki bar in Springfield. We are looking forward to a night of sleazy monster music and energetic surf rock bay-bee!</p>
<p>One more thing... I missed my Friday video deadline but I will have one up in the next day or so.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67669842021-10-05T13:21:36-07:002021-10-05T13:21:36-07:00Endless Summer<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/b6401d2491a0b3cf642b8478bb5291c6e41ce121/original/1966-the-endless-summer.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="endless summer" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />It finally started raining here. I hope it rains a lot. We need it. As the leaves begin to fall, I practice guitar and look at the kids playing at the school across the street. They don't mind the weather much. I see them out there rain or shine, hot or cold. I'm learning the theme from the 1966 movie, "Endless Summer". There's a wistful nostalgia in that song for another place and time, and it's cool guitar music.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67592502021-09-27T18:13:43-07:002021-09-29T08:26:04-07:00About A Name<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/3f4d4fc08617733ffc30598117a816411698523b/original/screenmonster.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="monster" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Parents, name your children well. <br>Don't make their name too hard too spell.</p>
<p>To honor some obscure relation. <br>My folks gave me this apellation... </p>
<p>Brook Adams says; "Don't Google me". <br>Oh man... I hate the letter "E"! </p>
<p>For guys you need to add an "S" <br>The "E" is used for gals I guess. </p>
<p>So My Name ending with a "K", <br>Has caused a lifetime of dismay. </p>
<p>Lady wrestlers, actors, trees, <br>And other stuff too wierd too see. </p>
<p>I had to re-arrange my name. <br>And so "El Borko" I became.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67529942021-09-21T09:37:48-07:002021-09-21T09:37:48-07:00A week of El Borko Surf!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/77c1ac743d3807c7656c1a255c1569958083e5f6/original/chicken-3.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="el borko bird" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Two El Borko Shows this week. The first is at Covered Bridge brewing in Cottage Grove TONIGHT! Tue, Sep. 21 7:00PM. Covered Bridge is on the corner of 9th and Main in Cottage Grove. This will be just a trio without Cam this one time...</p>
<p>The next show is the Eugene Saturday Market Sat, Sep 25 1:00PM - 2:00PM. This is the full band and it's just an hour so we can play our best stuff. We have a unique and surfy sound.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67446362021-09-13T09:28:00-07:002021-09-13T12:43:42-07:00The Zoo<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/d6b55c3d75973dad39a6613b2972303d026ac8ab/original/monkey1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="howler monkey" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I put a new song on the website music player, down there... at the bottom of the screen... called "The Zoo". I wrote it a few years back with completely different lyrics, which I decided weren't that good. Here is the revised version. Recorded in Ableton Live 11. The guitar is a strat recorded direct in from a Fishman loudbox mini. I was pleasantly surprised at the chunkiness of the sound.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67369062021-09-05T21:05:05-07:002021-09-05T21:05:05-07:00Why Music?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/4a29249f7d29002529b260f3145a57ff88ded0c6/original/img-0057.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="twister sisters" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Sensible people recognize that we as individuals are insignificant. We hope that we matter to those we care about, but in the big picture we are nothing. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, this is our life, and it means a lot to us. Not just our concern with our own existence, but for those we love and care about. Beyond that there is this beautiful world that sustains and delights us. </p>
<p>Sometimes I hear music that expresses that. A great world-emotion that wells up in your heart and you feel like a bird in a cage yearning to fly. Music is the key that releases us from that cage. </p>
<p>Maybe not everyone has this feeling, but those of us who do understand why we play. It's our calling, no matter whether or not we are recognized. We were born to be this. We follow our heart to the unknown.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67255822021-08-24T08:17:29-07:002021-08-24T08:17:29-07:00The Show Might Go On<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/fe4949c0329a6ee955be1d468e9ef4aa29639191/original/vik1color.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="viking surf" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I have two shows this weekend, one with Miller Brothers at Friendly gardens Friday night and one with El Borko Surf! at Viking Braggot Brewery Saturday afternoon at 4:00. I say "I hope" because things are shaky here as in most places. Indoor masks are back and cases of covid are rising. One show in September has been cancelled already (Would have been 5th Street Market). I do want to play but not at the cost of endangering the health of others.</p>
<p>That being said, bass player James put a little bit of our Monday rehearsal up on facebook and it sounds pretty good. here's the link <a contents="El Borko Rehearsal." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/pat.daley.56/posts/4590042011040010?notif_id=1629780450489240&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic_tagged&ref=notif">El Borko Rehearsal.</a></p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/67022922021-08-02T03:05:00-07:002021-08-02T03:20:01-07:00Surficana!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/868dd75dc4d97a061cc14cc149afc85daf8fd659/original/newfront.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="surficana cover" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />After I released Surf Monster five months ago, I felt like I had more to say. So I said it by making another El Borko album, Surficana. This new record has seven surfy songs and no singing. These songs explore some areas I missed on Surf Monster. I tried some modal improv on "Foamy Raga", spaghetti western on "The Cute The Fat & The Fuzzy", and paid tribute to my favorite space-opera, "The Expanse" on "Camina Drummah". I experimented with an Endless Summer style song, some sparse-n-spacey, and finished as on the last album with some americana, hence the title, Surficana. </p>
<p>The new album is out Today! August 2nd <br> <br><a contents="https://elborko.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://elborko.com/">https://elborko.com/</a> </p>
<p><a contents="https://brookadams.com/albums" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://brookadams.com/albums">https://brookadams.com/albums</a> </p>
<p> </p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66984072021-07-26T09:21:55-07:002021-07-26T09:21:55-07:00Music by Rose<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/556ee2d560521c89cd23b9b5e7caf24b1d08e8a4/original/rosie-in-the-sky.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Rose Adams" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />My older daughter Rose started out on ukulele as a kid. She figured out guitar on her own and has been writing songs for a few years now. She came by yesterday and we did some recording. I was so stoked, I mixed and processed them right away.</p>
<p>Here is the link: <a contents="Orb Weaver by Rose Adams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://brookadams.com/rose">Orb Weaver by Rose Adams</a></p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66921102021-07-19T07:58:25-07:002021-07-19T07:58:25-07:00With A Little Help From My Friends<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/2611dc14c4492b3090b06fa11c608dd41ca01a44/original/surferfrombelow.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="surfer from below" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I played two very different shows this past weekend. One was a full electric band at a brew pub and the the other was Sunday brunch solo acoustic music. At both events I saw friends who have been coming to see me play for quite a long time.</p>
<p>I want to thank all of you who have been following my musical adventures over the years. It's hard to describe the happy feeling one gets when one's work is appreciated. To my friends in Oregon, Washington, California, and beyond... Thanks a million for your support.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66853752021-07-12T06:21:00-07:002021-07-12T06:21:00-07:002 shows & a cool car<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/f33cacf08328a1af59aeb7567bae160a41043879/original/deathmobile3.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I have two shows coming up this weekend: </p>
<p>This Saturday July 17, 6:00pm — 8:00pm <br>El Borko Surf! <br>Viking Braggot Brewing Brewery & Taproom, <br>520 Commercial St, Unit F, Eugene, OR <br>Classic and modern surf including music from their album "Surf Monster". </p>
<p>This Sunday July 18, 10:00am — 12:00noon <br>Brook Adams plays solo guitar <br>5th St Market, 296 E. 5th Ave., Eugene, OR <br>Enjoy your morning coffee with some tasty instrumentals.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66739102021-07-05T08:00:00-07:002021-07-05T08:00:22-07:00Chiquita? Requinto?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/160d52453bd8e6bf10ea297169adda98430852a2/original/dynamicchiquita.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="chiquita guitar" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Looking for a cheap travel guitar in Guadalajara, I discovered what they called a requinto. Who wouldn't love a tiny classical guitar tuned up high like a ukulele? Mine was a "Tres Pinos" brand, and I carried it around in the giant yellow plastic bag it came in for the next decade. It wasn't very loud and there were intonation problems but it was nice to have while waiting for busses, trains and planes. </p>
<p>In Latin music, a requinto is usually a higher pitched version of some other instrument. There are requinto drums and horns and of course, guitars. I saw one in Oaxaca whose frets were nylon strings wrapped around the neck. The musician adjusted his intonation by moving the nylon "fret" and then heating it with a cigarette lighter to tighten it back up.</p>
<p>When I learned ukulele, I had an epiphany with requinto tuning, now it made sense. By then the "Tres Pinos" was pretty much unplayable and became a wall decoration. Later, a friend gave me a real nice requinto which I still play. Recently, I found an Erlewine "Chiquita" electric. This is a practice guitar designed by Billy Gibbons of ZZTop and Mark Erlewine (who maintains Willie Nelson's guitar). These were made at first in the US, then Korea, and now I don't know where. They are finished and set up in Austin. </p>
<p>The Chiquita is sometimes called the "Back To The Future" guitar because Michael J. Fox played one at the beginning of that movie. Here's some SUPER NERDY TRIVIA about that guitar. Unlike most Chiquitas, it lacks the string-gauge chart printed on the back of the headstock. Chiquitas have had at least three different bridge styles. This one looks like the strings-through-body design but we don't get a good look at the back of the guitar to be sure. Also, he plugs a stereo cable into the amp, but then he plugs a mono cable into the guitar. Huh. </p>
<p>Because of the short scale length, Chiquitas need heavy strings to hold standard tuning. Even then it's hard to keep in tune, and while the shorter scale reduces string tension, it feels weird to play. I was frustrated and disappointed. Then it occurred to me to tune it like a requinto with lighter strings. This worked out well. So there you have it, an electric guitar requinto tuned A E G C E A with string gauges, .10 .14 .18 .24 .38 .49. Every so often, you'll see solid body electric ukes with nylon strings but nylon strings don't rock. If you want an electric ukulele, try one of these.</p>
<p>See and hear a Chiquita with requinto tuning: </p>
<p><a contents="my YouTube Channel" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw</a></p>
<p> </p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66676522021-06-28T10:11:43-07:002021-06-28T10:11:43-07:00New Album & Old Album<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/60cfaeb1390ed460b868bd4a2b27f574326d681d/original/surfburn.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="two albums" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Making and promoting Surf Monster has been a really good experience. I got back into the patterns of practice, promotion, and performance that characterizes the life of a musician. I couldn't stop, I made another surf record which is coming out August 2nd... That <strong>new album "Surficana" is now available for pre-order</strong> at <a contents="elborko.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://elborko.com">elborko.com</a>. </p>
<p>I am also re-releasing my old albums. They have been gone from my site for a couple of years. So I am happy to announce you can now get the re-release of <strong>"Ready To Burn" </strong>from 2012. Some of my favorite songs with the fabulous Miller Brothers Band backing me up. Good times...</p>
<p>Here's the link for <strong>Ready To Burn</strong>: <a contents="https://brookadams.bandcamp.com/releases" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://brookadams.bandcamp.com/releases" target="_blank">https://brookadams.bandcamp.com/releases</a></p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66653172021-06-20T21:58:36-07:002021-06-20T22:35:33-07:00Aldora Britain Records<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/d3e2cd1b16bec3e6e7f1bafcdcc325c497a40170/original/wave2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="big wave" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" /></p>
<p>Tom Hilton has a small label in the UK. He puts out a regular series of music samplers by indy artists like me. He sent me links to some of these and they are super fun. Lots of great music you are unlikely to hear anywhere else. </p>
<p>Here is the link to the most recent one: <br><a contents="Aldora Britain Records" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thealdorabritainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/candy-cane" style="" target="_blank">https://thealdorabritainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/candy-cane </a></p>
<p>I'm sure you'll find something enjoyable there... and listen to the other ones too. They're all good.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66590402021-06-14T08:53:54-07:002021-06-14T08:53:54-07:00Ready 2 Rock!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/d8cb621ad63eb4c4bd8108ad65fa656870465844/original/chipface2-jpg.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="potato chip bag" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I have two bands, El Borko Surf! and the Miller Brothers Band. El Borko is usually a duo with myself and Jon Neher. Miller brothers is a dance band playing 20th Century Pop Music. Since the pandemic began, we have only played twice, with Jeff, our drummer on ukulele. This is all about to change! </p>
<p><strong>Friday, June 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Friendly Gardens </strong>(2758 Friendly St.) in Eugene is the electric <strong>Miller Brothers Band</strong> with Tim and Jeff and our friend Rafael Trujillo sitting in on congas. We are so ready to rock. </p>
<p><strong>Friday, July 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Silvan Ridge Winery</strong> (27012 Briggs Hill Rd.) Southwest of Eugene is <strong>El Borko Surf!</strong> as a full band, with Cameron Wick on drums and Tim Miller on bass. We'll play surf and 60s music and songs from our album Surf Monster. </p>
<p><strong>First week of August</strong> I release <strong>the next El Borko album, Surficana</strong>, seven tracks of rocking guitar instrumentals. After finishing Surf Monster, I kept on writing and realized this was an opportunity to make a record, start to finish all by myself. It will be available as a download or CD at my bandcamp site <a contents="https://elborko.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://elborko.com">https://elborko.com</a>. I will also be giving away stuff there, so I encourage you to visit and follow El Borko. </p>
<p><strong>Every Friday I post a video</strong> at <a contents="https://brookadams.com/video " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://brookadams.com/video">https://brookadams.com/video </a></p>
<p><strong>Every Monday I post a blog</strong> at <a contents="https://brookadams.com/ " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://brookadams.com/home">https://brookadams.com/ </a></p>
<p>Thanks everyone, and have a pleasant week.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66544902021-06-09T12:09:31-07:002021-06-09T13:06:11-07:00Thump & Chime<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/9a3ed53adbb2f39d70e78fa58bdcee7c96e4a6f8/original/myrig.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="look ma no tubes!" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Ahh... chunky lows, chimey highs, and thick, bright single notes. I call it "Thump & Chime". The three main factors in getting this sound are the player's touch, the guitar pickups, and the gain structure from guitar to amp. I have a tube amp, but my tone quest led me to assemble this rig which adapts well to different environments. </p>
<p>I made a pedalboard from some nice bits of wood and found a carrying case at the thrift store. The compressor increases presence in the mix, which helps in a bright room or outside. The Saucy Box is good for a boost, the Rat for big sustainy leads. The delay has a combination of features. I favor the "Deluxe Memory Man" setting. Slapback going into reverb and tremolo makes a nice vintage sound. </p>
<p>The guitar is a Strat with med-low output pickups. The pedals are; Xotic SP Compressor, Way Huge Saucy Box, Pro-Co Rat, EHX Canyon with external tap-tempo switch, Mr Black Deluxe Deluxe Plus Reverb/Tremolo. The amp is a Quilter Micro-Block 45 on the pedalboard. I found a used Weber California 10" 16Ω. My friend Tim Miller built a sealed enclosure for it. The Quilter is bright and the Weber is dark. Together, they sound real nice.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66447382021-05-31T08:08:35-07:002021-06-02T13:32:46-07:00Son Of Drinkula<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/1775cb40f8c4869e0bd9c3c1b4ca0044d0f7b72b/original/sonofdrinkula.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Son Of Drinkula" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Count Drinkula is a wine swilling vampire. Because he's a vampire, he stays inside and does title searches for his wife, Anita who sells real estate. They live in a gated community called Pendejos Ricos in Las Casas, California. They have a teenager named Son of Drinkula who is not a vampire. Son of Drinkula has a pet named Weedmore. Weedmore is a creature of unknown origin with the ability to speak, plush green fur, and a taste for marijuana. <br> <br>Son of Drinkula brings Weedmore to a beach party. Girls don't really dig Weedmore but they tolerate him because Son of Drinkula is cool. Stoners like him though because he always has good weed. Weedmore is competitive, and in a foolish contest of machismo, he starts a beer drinking contest with a big guy named Victor. </p>
<p>The revellers encourage Weedmore to swim out to Monster Rock, a lonely geologic outcropping covered with bird poop. Weedmore is not human. He is small and powerful, but he has his limits. In his highly inebriated state he reaches Monster Rock and rolls around in the bird poop until his fur is saturated, then dives into a floating bed of seaweed which entangles him. The tide sweeps him back to the beach party where a big wave dumps him on the sand. Disoriented, he comes roaring out of the night surf covered in seaweed and bird crap and blunders through the bonfire causing chaos. Before he is recognized, Victor rescues him and leaves him in Son of Drinkula's car to sleep it off. The stoners realize it was only Weedmore, but no one else believes them and so begins a local legend about a a hideous surf monster.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66386112021-05-24T06:19:03-07:002021-05-24T06:21:55-07:00New Things<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/0f417cf045df2e3ebcb6729dc4b37a98fd12a3be/original/surfinshivatrimmed.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="surfin shiva" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />This Monday, May 24</strong> El Borko is the featured band on “Electric Beach Party”, a fun weekly surf music show from Cape Hatteras. <a contents="https://www.radiohatteras.org/listen-live" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.radiohatteras.org/listen-live">https://www.radiohatteras.org/listen-live</a> <br>EASTERN TIME: 9:00 PM and 12:00 midnite <br>PACIFIC TIME: 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM<br>99.9 WHDX-FM, Waves, NC 101.5 WHDZ-FM, Buxton, NC </p>
<p><strong>Another album on the way...</strong> <br>After Surf Monster, I kept making songs. I'm mixing the last songs for a new EP. <br>I hope to have it out in July sometime. The last record was surfy, this one more so.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66331462021-05-17T22:23:56-07:002021-05-17T23:21:58-07:00The Surfy Universe<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/8f605fbd2c8698b9a97132f54a19270aef0e075e/original/batmanslap2000.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="batman slap" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Why do we like surf? Well, for starters it's a big guitar sound, that whomping low bass and sparkling treble. The sound of surf is like a beautiful leviathan exploding from the sea. Surf evokes the power of waves and the thrill of speed. And, without lyrics, we have the music to ourselves, like a smooth beach at low tide. We write our own emotions into the song. </p>
<p>Surf emerged at a time of wealth and optimism. Pop culture was infused with youthful energy and curiosity. At the same time, the cold war, racial tensions and social alienation were expressed in literature, music, film and beyond. Hot-rodding, surfing, the beatnik scene blend together in a comic-book world that appeals to the adolescent in all of us. </p>
<p>So surf music is the center of a universe of excitement and danger. Hoodlums on Harleys and monsters from space haunting the Rendezvous Ballroom and midnight tiki-bars. Secret agents and two-headed surfers in a technicolor western at the drive in. These images may be silly, but they rekindle a sense of wonder that becomes elusive as we get older. I'm an old guy, and I walk and talk like an old guy, but when I hear surf music, I feel like a child.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66265652021-05-10T10:29:33-07:002021-05-10T10:29:33-07:00Live Shows<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/bdcbfb8ecc75c44801a557840d394abf5d4bf30a/original/03250004.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />When I was in eighth grade, the youth group at our church brought in a band. This was at someone's house and the players were "big kids" from high school or maybe even college... oooh! We all listened to records but this was so much better! I remember everything and nothing. The rippling bass lines, the harmonies, the cool guitars, but I couldn't tell you what songs they played or how many people in the group. </p>
<p>There are two flavors of music, recorded or live. Recording a track or video is harder in some ways than live performance. Because you can play it back, every little flaw is a potential deal breaker. Recording take after take is hard work and it drains the spontaneity from the work. When a fresh idea or a funny quip is repeated for the umpteenth time, the performer has to pretend it's still interesting. But all is not lost. Repetition reveals weak areas which can be fixed. Focus stays on the big picture. Recorded work helps improve subsequent live performance. </p>
<p>Playing live, we live in the moment. Our expression is more true. We can't conceal our real selves. Obviously what we've missed for the last fourteen months has been this human interaction, the magic I felt as a middle schooler hearing live music for the first time. Well folks, we musicians have been recording and practicing a lot. As the weather improves, we're getting out there again. I think we may have gotten better. I appreciate my audience more now. I look forward to seeing, interacting and playing my songs for you.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66203912021-05-03T12:27:19-07:002021-05-17T22:31:42-07:00How Can We Help You?<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/cf962977104dcd9dc289dc511a61acdf3662e525/original/bosstikitrans.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="boss tiki" />Please direct all inquiries to our customer service manager.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ha Ha</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66137842021-04-25T22:09:27-07:002021-04-25T22:13:31-07:00Then & Now<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/577b859666c20a19d87fac6f2aea9964867596f9/original/openroad.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="ribbon under the sky" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" /></p>
<p>Listening to "No Time" by the Guess Who. I was in 7th or 8th grade when it came out. How they made that sound was beyond my comprehension. The song took me beyond the boundaries of my youthful experience into the realm of possibility. </p>
<p>Listening to the same song now takes me to the same place but coming from another direction. What-might-be has become what-might-have-been. Did our lives meet our expectations? It seems that what I expected and what happened were so different that it makes no sense to even compare. </p>
<p>We become the path we travel. The songs we played and the friends we made... Would a different outcome been any better? Who could have predicted I would meet the love of my life and have two smart, funny daughters, then come to Oregon and become a ukulele player? </p>
<p>Let's not forget the hard times. Misfortune and regret comes to us all at some time, but this is where we are now. This is who we are now. Sometimes I cry, but every day I find a reason to smile.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66080792021-04-19T07:31:18-07:002021-04-19T07:41:36-07:00Four & Twenty<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/225b775ab8700ea431d8a279b8e703e92e20ee48/original/tiny-rose.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="big & tiny" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Tomorrow is 4/20 but...</p>
<p>I don't smoke that weed no more. <br>It used to make my lungs so sore, <br>That getting high was just a mess, <br>Of coughing paranoid distress. </p>
<p>So I must say I'm getting bored, <br>By two times ten and number four. <br>Four-Twenty's just a time of day, <br>I'd rather drink an IPA. </p>
<p>But just for laughs... I will release my Friday video on Tuesday (tomorrow) at 4:20 PM Pacific Time. The video is four minutes and twenty seconds long. There is a 4:20 reference hidden in the video. This <strong>Friday April, 23</strong> <strong>6:30 PM Pacific Time </strong>is the Livestream of songs from the "Surf Monster" album, rescheduled from last month. <br>Both events will be on my YouTube channel.</p>
<p><strong>my YouTube channel:</strong> <br><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw </a><br> </p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/66019662021-04-12T13:49:31-07:002021-04-12T13:49:31-07:00Tijuana Brass<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/289c6d9905d6e37cc417db44fc5efb6831477adf/original/pyramid1ex2.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="tsunami pyramid" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />It's been my goal this year to post a blog and a video once a week. It's been going ok, but some weeks I get caught a bit short, like this week. But... working on a song for this week's video, I read about Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. The guy is 86 and one of the most successful musicians of our time. He has sold 72 million records (14 albums went platinum). At one point he had an instrumental and a vocal #1 hit at the same time and outsold the Beatles. And, like the Beatles, what's not to like? Great songs, great band, great shows (alas, I never saw one). So I'm learning a Herb Alpert tune on ukulele. Olé!</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65943172021-04-04T20:50:42-07:002021-04-04T20:50:42-07:00Seeking Duende<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/396295dac60017158d392840a943f365d49a163e/original/img-6831.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="at menucha" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Merriam-Webster describes Duende as a mystical force. They quote the poet Federico Garcia Lorca that Duende "is a power and not a behavior... a struggle and not a concept." Oof! What does that even mean? </p>
<p>I think when a piece of art touches your soul, that's Duende. If it is a power, then some have it and some don't. I have played with two people in my life who could summon Duende. Both had great personal magnetism in addition to their musical talent. </p>
<p>I've had ups and downs with music. Some efforts rewarded and others rebuffed. Some successes are a mystery, why one song and not another? It occurs to me though that striving to make music to please one's self is the path to making music that reaches others. You have to follow your heart. </p>
<p>But most important, when your heart cries out, and you make music, it's only personal until you play it for someone else. When others find their story in the song you made, it's not about you anymore. When you become a raindrop in a river flowing into the sea, this is Duende.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65877352021-03-28T22:19:13-07:002021-03-28T22:34:04-07:00Surf Party!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/2a05ddbdad259d8713be081a3878b746bbce6d3b/original/surfpartybritishquadhr.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Surf Party Poster" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />This post began as one thing and ended up somewhere different. Like Gypsy guitarists seeking Duende, surf guitarists chase "the drip". This cavernous percussive sound is a defining element of surf. It takes a combination of technique and the right equipment to get this sound. A good drip really sounds like drops of water falling in a cave. It's most excellent, Bill & Ted! </p>
<p>It's hard to find a band with a better drip sound than The Astronauts, the classic surf band from Boulder, Colorado. Their song "Surf Party" is a winner in all categories. Looking for a YouTube link, I found other bands I like playing the same song and well... You gotta hear 'em! </p>
<p><strong>The Astronauts:</strong> <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHVJaVHvGU8 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHVJaVHvGU8" style="" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHVJaVHvGU8 </a><br>Hear that heavy guitar with the "poing poing poing" sound? That's the drip! </p>
<p><strong>The Archers:</strong> <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeUKA9KC1vI " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeUKA9KC1vI" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeUKA9KC1vI </a><br>The energy this band generates could power a small city. </p>
<p><strong>Slacktone:</strong> <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBSLoU6oXTA " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBSLoU6oXTA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBSLoU6oXTA </a><br>Surf guitarists (myself included) admire Dave Wronsky, and let's admire his band too. </p>
<p><strong>El Sindicato Del Surf:</strong> <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KtzngjLQ6c " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KtzngjLQ6c" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KtzngjLQ6c </a><br>A rockin' quarantine video with a really slick arrangement. </p>
<p>And so boys and girls, what did we learn? <br>That Surf Party by The Astronauts is XLNT! <br>The end.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65812862021-03-22T07:28:20-07:002021-07-30T22:26:38-07:00The Ultimate Guitar<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/2a6e5eb1c4db26a76fb9ae9e94bc89a697e9237d/original/maxguitarlabels.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.png" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="Ultimate Guitar" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Pet owners love to post pictures of their little buddies. pet sleeps, pet does funny thing, pet looks cute. Guitar players do the same thing. And, like pets, guitar pictures reflect their owners, some look sharp, some look beat up, some are modified in interesting ways.</p>
<p>My own guitars are not that interesting. They play nice, and I like them. So instead of a photo... I drew a picture of the ultimate guitar. Here ya go...</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65742522021-03-15T08:21:50-07:002021-03-15T08:21:50-07:00About Singing...<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/594e891126ac95157a27575629b8aa0cf55aea6a/original/surfrooster.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Dawn Patrol" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />One of my favorite albums is by the Finnish group Värttinä. I don't know a word of Finnish, but those women harmonize so well, they could be singing the Amazon Prime service agreement and I would like it. So as a person who likes instrumental music best, I realized that I prefer to hear the human voice as an instrument. </p>
<p>What about lyrics? Well, lyrics distract you with their story or poetry, and despite the power of speech and music combined, I'm more interested in what music can do without words. Vocal music may consist of lyrics or gibberish. Lyrics in an unknown language are gibberish. The sound of a language is a sonic texture. Imagine a song sung first in Spanish and then Korean. It's like playing it on a different instrument. </p>
<p>I present as evidence the following links. I hope you enjoy them. Do the lyrics even matter? </p>
<p>The Joy: Imali: <a contents="https://youtu.be/3AEytze0s40" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/3AEytze0s40" style="" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/3AEytze0s40</a> </p>
<p>Neri Per Caso with Noemi: Come si cambia: <a contents="https://youtu.be/aJbLFet4k8c " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/aJbLFet4k8c" style="" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/aJbLFet4k8c&nbsp;</a></p>
<p>Värttinä: Tuulen Tunto: <a contents="https://youtu.be/U2K5Ipd0Rzw" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/U2K5Ipd0Rzw" style="" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/U2K5Ipd0Rzw</a></p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65677242021-03-07T21:55:53-08:002021-03-10T10:29:01-08:00Goofier is better<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/ed119fb66e4e232a93c8d605c409c18c539bfdf1/original/color-jongleur-de-crane.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="evil ukulele" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Because of the covid virus, many musicians are putting up video, and many are trying new and amusing things. Some are borderline genius, but you don't have to be a genius to put up something fun. </p>
<p>On the album Roxy And Elsewhere, Frank Zappa introduces the song "Cheepnis" with a monologue about monster movies. If you like this kinda thing you'll agree with Frank. I certainly do. I'm going for goofy and a bit cheesy with my weekly videos. I hope you like them. </p>
<p>The next video is this FRIDAY, March 12 at noon Pacific Time. <br>The weekly videos are covers of classic 60s songs. </p>
<p>I will stream a show of originals, with songs from my new album, Surf Monster... Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 Pacific Time. </p>
<p>The weekly videos and the stream can be seen on my YouTube channel. </p>
<p><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT7N-I8hm0mAsPj6RD61ijw</a></p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65618402021-03-01T10:34:02-08:002021-03-01T10:34:02-08:00My Favorite Surf<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/493b3fc208cc5c8a075f2accbc26cbcc8427c167/original/sub-island4.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Sub-Island" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />I've always been aware of surf music, but then three years ago I became a fan. As I learned to play the style, I found great satisfaction and new growth as a guitar player. How did this happen? I can trace it back to one song that captured all my favorite musical ideas in 10 melodious minutes. So what were these ideas? </p>
<p>Our taste in music is shaped by life experience, right? What music did your parents like? Were they musicians? What is your cultural background? My parents were not musicians, they liked honky-tonk, light classical, and some dreadful schlock. I grew up with the popular music of the 1960s. We moved overseas in 1969 and I heard pop with an international flavor. </p>
<p>I like dense, intense music. Gypsy jazz, bluegrass, prog-rock all sound good to me. Not surprising then, that I would be sparked by 'Jellyfish Sunrise' by Daikaiju. I found them on you tube, listened to a few more of their songs and let the autoplay algorithm do it's thing. A stream of modern surf came pouring out and I was hooked. A chance encounter with Pete Weinberger from the Surf Trio at the Subaru dealership one day further encouraged me. </p>
<p>For those of you who know me from my pre-surf days, this is what I'm doing. For those of you who are just tuning in, this is where I'm going.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65555222021-02-22T10:09:56-08:002021-06-02T14:10:45-07:00My Favorite Animal<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/7566d4869d956cd3f1ffd36007149723d086eda2/original/beach-girls-and-the-monster.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="The Monster" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />My kids used to ask, "Dad, what's your favorite animal?". I would reply, "My favorite animal is... the monster". This happy memory got me wondering, why do I like monsters? Maybe because a monster is a mystery. </p>
<p>Before we go on, what kinda monster do I mean? I'm talking about celebrated monsters of legend, literature, and film. The word can refer to monstrous things in real life, but we're discussing mystery, not evil. </p>
<p>Monsters aren't real, but they may be based on something real. Some observation is misinterpreted, transformed in the telling, until a fearful beast is born. Why do we do that? Are we just expressing our fears or trying to manage them? I think monsters are social constructs which move our thoughts from one state to another. From fear to resolve, from grief to acceptance, from anger to forgiveness, from hate to understanding. This is the importance of transformation, and transformation is what makes a monster. </p>
<p>Some monsters begin as humans, like Dracula, Wolfman, zombies or Frankenstein's monster. Desire, rage, and alienation transform these people into something different. They're scary because they represent our inner fears and insecurities. Some monsters are creatures from another time or place, like Bigfoot, "Nessie", and Chupacabra. Our familiar world is transformed by their arrival. They're scary because they represent the unknown. </p>
<p>A monster doesn't have to embody fear. Monsters can be symbolic. King Kong is the outsider empowered. Godzilla is a metaphor for the threat of nuclear war. When we identify with monsters, their power encourages and inspires us in our daily life. We may not consciously recognize this, but we sense it. </p>
<p>Some stories have happy endings, some don't. Some stories have no ending at all, the monster is just "out there" somewhere. How it ends is unimportant. What matters is that they exist. By telling a story we create a model. The model separates reason from emotion so we can think about whatever the monster represents. One more thing, maybe there isn't any problem to be solved. Maybe the monster is a gateway to life's mystery, a symbol for us of the unexplained, the undiscovered and the undefeated.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65498282021-02-15T16:00:00-08:002021-06-02T14:09:10-07:00Surf? Really?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/4c3b90934598ec0e2bd8d2b694a9268acd552eb8/original/surfmonsterfront.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />When you tell people you like surf music, get ready to explain that you don't mean the Beach Boys. I like the Beach Boys just fine but we're talking about fast pickin', whammy swervin', reverb drippin' excitement! Dramatic guitar instrumentals are cool, and surf is the coolest. So where did this music come from? If you dig, here is my take, bay-bee. </p>
<p>You already know surf came from the music and culture of Southern California in the late 50s, early 60s. Economic growth freed people to pursue their interests and new forms of self expression. Here was Dick Dale, creating his own music scene in Balboa, Big Daddy Roth building cars, people learning to surf. Vets returning from WWII and Korea inspired exotic tiki culture. Teen movies about dance parties, monsters, and drag racing opened new doors for music. Finally there were advances in recording and electronics. The biggest one was the Fender bass. Here was a bass you could actually hear, that could keep up with the drums. Fender bass changed all music, not just surf. </p>
<p>Remember who the big dawgs were at this time. Django Reinhardt died in 1953. Les Paul played guitar very fast. SoCal was full of country swing and honky tonk. Oh, man! Listen to Bill Doggett's Honky Tonk Parts I & II, and Ernie Freeman's Raunchy; swings so hard you might need a neck brace. Listen to Jimmy Bryant & Speedy West, Duane Eddy, the Champs, Chuck Berry's in there somewhere, and of course, the Ventures. This is the cradle of surf music. Guitar instrumental bands exploded in other countries too, Shadows in the UK, Jokers in Belgium, Spotniks in Sweden, and the Rautalanka style in Finland which sounds a lot like surf. </p>
<p>Did the British invasion kill surf? Maybe not. It was already evolving into psychedelia and obnoxious pretend cowboy music like the Eagles. By the 70s it was gone. But then came punk, which revived the garage band ethos. Somehow, punk led to a rockabilly revival in the 80s and by the 90s, surf was back! Yeah, yeah... Tarantino, blah blah... he saw Surf was already on the rebound and followed the trend. Favorite bands of this era, Ramones, Clash, Cramps, Stray Cats. </p>
<p>Modern surf bands would include Eliminators, Mermen, Aquavelvets, Man or Astroman, Insect Surfers, Slacktone, Daikaiju, Surf Trio, Los Straitjackets and more. Just like before, it branches out to other genres. These would include prog-rock, metal, ambient and all kinds of genre bending fusion. What makes a surf music fan? I dunno. </p>
<p>So when you tell people you like surf music and they say Surf? Really? You can look 'em in the eye and say Surf! Really!</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65447922021-02-08T08:00:00-08:002021-02-10T10:29:56-08:00Music of the heart<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/f27a42323fc68f7c3385f75bd3563a4a37d6a2b6/original/img-20180626-145523077-hdr.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Toketee Falls, North Umpqua River" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />We can all name our favorite albums, but some are more favorite than others. Even among your top ten, I bet you could name albums that you played over and over during some period of your life. Maybe it speaks to who you are or where you've been, but it feels like this music was made just for you. When people talk about healing or spirituality in music, this is what I think of. I made a list of some of these albums from my life, and it got me wondering. </p>
<p>What was it that grabbed us about this music? Here are some ideas. Novelty, maybe you never heard anything like that before and you liked it. Familiarity, it took you to a known and comforting place. Vulnerability, it made you feel better in a hard time. A perfect fit, this was exactly what you needed to hear at this moment. Maybe it was some combination of all these things. </p>
<p>Would it have made as deep an impression at some different time? I think maybe not. Life is a road we travel once and this is the terrain we crossed. Some experiences have a permanent effect on us and music has great power. </p>
<p>Did we even realize the influence the music was having on us at the time? I can think of one album that dove deeper than I would've guessed. Hearing it all the way through, I was surprised how I remembered every song and how each one felt like an old friend. </p>
<p>Do your albums share anything in common? Yes, in my case, they were all dense and intense. I guess that’s what I like. I was surprised and not surprised. Seeing my list makes we wanna make a long road trip so I can listen to them one after another. </p>
<p>How do you like them now? I still love these albums. I still get a time and place but less urgent, it’s more about the music now. Even so, there are emotions and memories forever linked to this music. For anyone and everyone, it is the music of the heart. </p>
<p>I’m including my list. The ones with asterisks are the top of tree. </p>
<p>Hot Rats: Frank Zappa </p>
<p>Hero and Heroine: Strawbs </p>
<p>*Silent Feet: Eberhard Weber </p>
<p>Hounds of Love: Kate Bush </p>
<p>Lyle Mays: Lyle Mays </p>
<p>*Shleep: Robert Wyatt </p>
<p>Division Bell: Pink Floyd </p>
<p>Iki: Vaartina </p>
<p>*Undun: The Roots</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/65332082021-01-28T14:07:26-08:002021-02-02T08:23:56-08:00I made a new album!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/4c3b90934598ec0e2bd8d2b694a9268acd552eb8/original/surfmonsterfront.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Surf Monster Album Cover" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-right: 10px;" />Hey there people! It's January and I made a new album. It's called Surf Monster and it has 12 original songs. I call the musical style "Surficana", as in Surf-Americana. There's surf-rock, pop vocals in a semi-60s style, and some instrumental soundscapes to spark your imagination. I recorded with my friend Jon Neher who played lap steel and pedal steel guitar. The mix of instruments created a fun and interesting blend.</p>
<p>I am releasing this guy on March 5. I will be sending out email and adding info here as all the pieces come together. To go along with the album, I have Surf-Monster T-Shirts and also a book called "A Tale Of Two Surfers". Five of the songs from the album come from this story. I'm really stoked about this record. Looking forward to releasing it.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/63438072020-06-05T13:33:56-07:002020-06-05T13:36:55-07:00Don't need no steenkin' songlist!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/aa9e472a65373c336bceaaabd9e98d1511998ab9/original/whitewitch.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I saw a band called White Witch in a bar in New Orleans in the 70s (yes, I was under age). They had a smoke machine, a light-show, props, and costume changes. The show was totally choreographed and it was fantastic! I saw another band called Ace Pancakes in another bar in Denver in the 80s. They wore their street clothes, played what they felt, and joked with the crowd and they too, were fantastic. So, how do you present your band? Is it a big production or an informal presentation? Well, we can start by making a set list. A set list can be a blueprint for a successful show or a wedge that drives you away from your audience. Do you need one? How to make one? When to abandon one? Here's what I think. </p>
<p>1. Do you need a setlist? I know performers who effortlessly throw out one cool song after another. To do that, you need a deep repertoire and a quick mind. You may have just the right song but you gotta remember what's in your bag of tricks. Sometimes, at the end of the night I think of all the good tunes I forgot to play because I was excited, or nervous, or maybe a little drunk. If this is you, then you need a setlist. There are two kinds of list. I call them the 'menu' and the 'recipe'. The 'menu' is just a list of the songs you know. This way, you don't rely on memory to pick the next tune. Put notes by the titles with song details like who sings it or if it's a proven crowd pleaser. This helps with pacing and variety. The 'recipe' lists the songs in the order they will be played. This brings us to question two. </p>
<p>2. How to make a setlist. I think every set should be like a little movie. It should grab your attention and convince you to join the fun. It should build intensity while alternating light and dark, loud and soft, sad and happy. It should reach a crescendo and then release you gracefully. Start with a 'menu' style list and explore different ways to categorize the tunes. For example, all the dance tunes, or the ones with excellent harmonies, then put them in order. When making the set, play just the end of one song and then the beginning of another to see if they fit. Take your listeners on a journey (just don't play any 'Journey' ha ha). Use repetition and contrast. Wanna make 'em cry? Try a funny song followed by a sad one. Don't wear out a dancing crowd with one rhythm or tempo. One last thing... If you play multiple sets, each one may be different from the others. The first set might be more listening and the last two might be more dancing. </p>
<p>3. When to abandon the setlist. No matter how you plan, things might not go as you expected. Be sensitive to your audience. If your carefully planned list isn't working, don't go blindly lurching forward like a broken robot. Try to give 'em what they want if you can. I once showed up expecting to play a house concert which turned out to be a beginning ukulele class, so we learned three chords and sang some songs and had fun. Your carefully planned list can still be a menu for picking songs on the fly. Sometimes my band goes without a list. Right before we start a set, we huddle and agree on the first three songs, from then on we talk to each other as we play to choose the next song. </p>
<p>Like I said at the start, formal or informal, a good band makes people feel good. Planning ahead is always a good idea but be ready to go with the flow. Project a good feeling, give it your best, and have fun. When you do that, your audience will have fun too.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/63232682020-05-19T22:23:15-07:002020-06-08T10:44:28-07:00Four ways to have fun with phone scammers<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/43c8bde436845cc944f6277210337ec3fb5eeeb3/original/phonestupid.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Your phone rings, it's a local area code, so you answer it. Oh bummer, it's some jerk trying to rip you off, sometimes it's not even a human. Yeah, you could get mad and hang up, but why not have some fun? Remember, they called you, so whatever you do, they asked for it. By the way; "Press 2 to be added to our 'do not call' list" is complete nonsense, better to stay on the line and give 'em hell. </p>
<p>Having said that, I do have some rules; I don't swear and I'm never abusive. Some of these people are stuck in this crappy job and maybe they don't have other options. I once worked at a call center selling coupon books for the JayCees. The boss didn't tell us that the previous year, they collected the money but delivered no books. People hated us and I lasted four days. When I quit, the boss tried to talk me into some free swag instead of my check. Nonetheless, they are trying to cheat you and you should waste as much of their time as you can, to reduce the time they have to rob somebody's grandma. </p>
<p>Here is a collection of fun things I like to do to phone scammers. If more people would do the same, we could make their workplace so miserable, some of them might give up. </p>
<p>- The car extended warranty scam: This is the one I get most. They say; "Our records show that your car's extended warranty is about to expire." They want you to buy some worthless warranty extension. I give them plausible but fake information to keep them on as long as possible. Make sure your 'car' is a late model with low miles, or when they ask the make and model tell them it's a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or a batmobile. If you keep it serious, they will ask about the maintenance and repairs on the car. Wait as long as you can before telling them that the engine fell out, or it's being used as a chicken coop. When they hang up on you, that means you win. </p>
<p>- The credit card interest rate scam: A classic. You owe money, but you have been real good about paying your bills, so they want to 'reward' you by lowering your interest rate. All they need is... your credit card number. There are two ways to go with this. The first way is to just answer their questions deceptively. A warning here... DO NOT divulge your real credit card info... NO! Just sayin'... They will ask what kind of card you have, so offer one you do not have. Give them an imaginary expiration date. Finally, they ask for the credit card number. This is when you sing them a song or recite the alphabet... they will hang up. You win. The second way is to ask them why, if they know about your payment history, don't they already know what kinda card you have? "C'mon man. What's the deal here?". This gets them off the phone pretty quick. </p>
<p>- The 'we have detected some kinda activity on your computer' scam: I LOVE this one! They have found some 'illegal activity' on your computer. Oh my GHOD! It could be porn or terrorism or videos of cats. They want you to freak out and let them remotely connect to your computer so they can install keyloggers and viruses n' shit. So all you gotta do is act stupid. Whatever they ask you to do, just make it as difficult as possible. Think about people in your life who drive you crazy, this is your chance to give it back. Ahhh. Nirvana... hello? Hello? Click. </p>
<p>- The vacation discount scam: Some guy would call me with all this party noise in the background and tell me he was in Las Vegas. Woooh! He was at the Fesse D'Or or some damn thing and it was the greatest party spot and I could get a discount if I wanted to book a trip... NOW! For these kinda things I let them roll for awhile and then get real rubbery and suggestible. I say things like, "yeah... wow", or "really?... wow". Just keep 'em talking without volunteering anything. After awhile, they get rather cross. Just before he hung up, one guy said; "...smoke some more weed, asshole!". Ha ha. I win. </p>
<p>Ok so... When the phone rings, and you got nothin' better to do, and you don't recognize the number. This is a gift. It's time to have fun. Keep those jerks on the line forever. And if you can't think of anything clever, just get them calmed down and in the groove and then scream at the top of your lungs.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/63097302020-05-08T16:50:37-07:002021-07-13T07:58:27-07:0013 Words Overused Until They Mean Nothing<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/5dba295cf2a56dbc626028ee83880de7043327bb/original/ken-bun.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I love this. I hate that. Really? Is it necessary to exaggerate? If everything is huge or outrageous or unprecedented, then how will we express things that are truly out of the ordinary? Florid language is the enemy of clear, concise speech. Like putting exclamation points and emojis after every sentence, it pervades modern media and makes everyone sound like adolescent twits. I don't dislike the following expressions, nor do I hate them. I detest them with a burning rage that disrupts the very fabric of space and time. </p>
<p> </p>
<ol> <li>- Amazing/Amazed: People say this when they really like something, but it seems to imply low expectations. Did you expect your $30 hamburger to suck? Did you expect the roller-coaster to be boring? Who do you think you are, James Bond? And finally, 'Amaze-Balls'? What does that even mean? </li> <li>- Decimated: Used in journalism and elsewhere to mean drastically reduced. The literal meaning is to be reduced by 10%. Well that all depends don't it? If Jeff Bezos' finances were 'decimated', he would go from $140 billion to just $126 billion... Wow, decimated! How about this; "At the barber shop, my hair was decimated". </li> <li>- Devastated: To be destroyed. I was devastated when Netflicks stopped streaming Buffy Vampire Slayer. Now you can only rent it on disk. </li> <li>- Eviscerated/Gutted: Gutted, like a fish. Currently used to say that something has been rendered ineffective somehow. I think a term this disgusting and extreme should refer to extreme cases. For ordinary things it seems quite stupid; "my dinner plans were EVISCERATED", "The yard-debris pickup schedule was GUTTED". Oooooh! </li> <li>- Heroes: 'Heroes' for staying home. 'Heroes' for doing your jobs. 'Heroes' for stating the obvious! Geez... </li> <li>- Jaw-dropping: See 'Stunning'. </li> <li>- On The Ground: Except for birds, planes and clouds, everything is on the fucking ground goddammit! </li> <li>- Passionate: We're 'passionate' about good customer service. We're 'passionate' about bagels. We're 'passionate' about staring at you glassy-eyed while charging $8.37 for a cup of stale coffee, a microwave burrito, and a scratch-it. </li> <li>- Reaching Out: My old boss used to use this expression. I would imagine him drowning in a lake and 'reaching out' for help. </li> <li>- Stunning: Stunning sounds like stoning. Stoning could be stunning. If you were stoned you may seem stunned, but being impressed or surprised isn't really the same as temporary loss of consciousness, unless you're an idiot. </li> <li>- Thoughts And Prayers: What you offer to people when you don't really care. </li> <li>- Thrown Under The Bus: Making someone else suffer the consequences of your mistakes. How does this express the idea anyway? 'Cause of course, pushing someone into the path of a motor-vehicle is the best way to deflect attention away from yourself. </li> <li>- We Got This: In the 1977 Mel Brooks movie, High Anxiety, Brophy, the chauffeur tries and fails to lift luggage. He says; "I got it! I got it! I got it... (sigh) I ain't got it!" We got this? What have we got? I’m gonna need some proof. </li>
</ol>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/63007622020-04-30T21:01:00-07:002020-09-11T00:07:05-07:00Strong Smoke And A Cat In A Pot<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/391174/a0b842e06b474c006ab3ca0f0e80eafa6a2f1f4f/original/originalcatinapot.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" />One time after a gig we sat in the bass player's van and smoked some weed. I was a big stoner in my younger days, but over time I kinda lost interest, so I was unprepared for how strong it was. Since we had been drinking a bit too, I was worried about getting pulled over, so I took the back streets home. Maybe the unusual route I took had something to do with what happened next. </p>
<p>There was a supermarket about four blocks from my house, as I passed it, I forgot where I lived. I'm not talking about little details like, left and right, I mean, I didn't even know if I was in the right town. I had to think it through. "I was... at the gig, so I must live in this town. I came this direction, so I must be approaching my house." </p>
<p>I decided to drive in a big circle, turning right at every traffic light. After the third light, I passed a street that looked familiar. "Yes! that must be it!", and it was. I drove until I recognized my house. When I went in, I disturbed the cat, who was sleeping in a big flower pot. "Hello, Cat-In-A-Pot.", I said.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/62927812020-04-23T22:22:06-07:002020-04-24T11:05:33-07:004 paragraphs of good advice... or not<p>Outsider art and primitive art share a common trait, they are made with limited resources. These limits may be raw materials, knowledge, or adverse conditions. In spite of these obstacles, these works of art have a spontaneous energy and immediate appeal. The intellectual lurks inside the emotional. </p>
<p>As artists we strive to improve. We practice our craft. We critique and develop our pieces. But skill is not enough. There needs to be an element of the unknown, the leap of faith where art transcends the artist. Creative people try many ways to get to this liminal state where creativity thrives; isolation, meditation, exploring nature, drugs and alcohol. To some degree, they all work, but each has it's drawbacks. </p>
<p>Now consider the limitations of primitive art, the artist must create despite the lack of some element. You can do this in your own work, just try to make something without your regular tools. For a musician, try to play or write a song on an instrument you don't know. For an artist, try using some inappropriate medium. For a writer try limiting your vocabulary in some way. </p>
<p>Lately, I have been using a pocket-size drum machine and a 4/6 channel mini-mixer. I can put guitar, bass and vocals through the mixer and recording on a guitar looper pedal. This means I can overdub but I can't edit tracks... Once it's on there, it's there for good. I end up making endless versions of the song which causes me to rethink almost everything. The end results sound primitive but listenable. When I get into a real studio with these tunes, I will have a good idea what to do.</p>brookadams.comtag:brookadams.com,2005:Post/62846882020-04-16T15:09:42-07:002020-04-17T12:08:09-07:00A Fall In Durango<p>The story of a gig gone oh-so-very-wrong.</p>
<p>Back in nineteen-eighty-one… or two, I lived in a tourist town in Colorado. I was trying to get some kind of band together. At the time the band was me, my girlfriend and our mutual buddy John. We were playing strummy-folky acoustic music. We weren’t horrible, but we weren’t good. There were two music venues on the main street, the rockin’ pizza joint and the mellow folkie coffee house. The front window of the rockin’ pizza joint looked in on the stage from behind. You could see the band rockin’ and the people dancin’ and you just had to go in and join the fun. The coffee house, on the other hand did most of their business at lunch on weekdays. They had folk music on Saturday nights. Not a big draw. They decided they should do a ‘stage in the window’ like the rockin’ pizza joint… Maybe people would wanna come in. </p>
<p>Well, we got a gig at the coffeehouse, two guys with acoustic guitars and my girlfriend singing, it was all so mellow and strummy. We had an audience of maybe seven but then three of them left. The remaining customers weren’t really paying us much attention until we started playing our Crosby, Stills & Nash song… all eyes turned to the stage. We were getting pretty excited when I looked back through the plate glass windows onto the street. There, directly behind us were two very large people, a man and a woman. They were large and intoxicated, and they were having a fight… there on the sidewalk, behind the band, through the plate glass window. We kept playing. The tiny audience looked right through us, because this domestic quarrel was more interesting than anything we had played all night. </p>
<p>It was somewhere in the line “Think about how many times I have fallen”, that the big woman gave the big man a mighty shove and he came smashing through the window in a blizzard of broken glass and landed between John and my girlfriend. We ground to a halt as I said something lame and stupid through the mic. We got down on the floor and helped the guy wrap up his arm which was bleeding pretty bad. The woman outside was still pissed but maybe a bit surprised at what she had accomplished. The cops came. Everybody left. We made $14 and got some free sandwiches.</p>brookadams.com