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Hey friends! I'm back home from a couple days in Midland recording music and hanging out with my oldest friend (and IDIOTHEAD bandmate) Shane Logan. It has been almost 11 years since we recorded music together and about 6 years since we hung out together. Finally we got a spare couple days off and we make it happen. We did skit tapes, shopped for retro games and played VR and PS4 games. Then we also recorded two songs. One is a remake of an old old old song of ours, another was a brand new one. Not sure what will be done with them beyond appearances on the podcast or if they will appear on a new album yet, but you never know! We plan to get together again this summer for another session.
All in all it was quite enjoyable for me to get away from it all and reconnect with my past a bit. Plus collaborate with one of the only people on this planet who can literally read my mind. It is comforting to know that no matter how much older one gets, or how much has changed and new responsibilities have been taken on, that at the core we can still be our old selves. Very refreshing weekend of fun and creativity!
I'll let the pics do the talking now. Its back to the grind for me. I got a ton of things to do all this week and for the next few weeks as well. See you folks soon!
Recording some audio skit comedy.
Lego room panorama
Shane's boy Evan is really creative! He made this arcade cabinet. I did something very similar when I was his age.
Holy Crap!!!
Where the magic happens.
Sometimes I try the drums too.... badly.
Sight reading some Beatles while we jam.
Recording a guitar track for our song.
Two old men making new offensive music. Wouldn't have it any other way.
My commission sale drive continues until next week Thanksgiving! Details HERE - We've already raised an additional $250 for the Arlee Rodgers fund for her surgery and I appreciate it. Let's keep it going!
Arlee's family is on my mind this weekend. This weekend is the Days of the Dead con in Chicago. Last year this time, Arlee's dad Joe, myself, Caleb and his wife Colleen drove through the two day blizzard to get to the show for one night only. It was scary as hell but we made it. I had a great time at the show itself. You can see pics and a recap right HERE - We got drunk off our ass, danced and partied. I met some new celebs and bought some cool shit. But it was my first horror con and I was loving every second we were there. This year Joe, his wife and Colleen are going. I wish I could but I have my kids this weekend and no days off left in which to head out there as well. I wanted to go out if only to toast to my friend Caleb and celebrate his life with my friends, his friends and family. I called for a rain check on that event until March Horrorhound in Cincinnati. Still, I wish I could have gone. I've been thinking about the trip from last year a lot and how much fun it was, despite the scary snow drive. I hope to make it to many more horror shows and bring Caleb's spirit with us every time we go. I guess that makes these things even more special than they were before. So that's a good thing. I certainly will never forget that weekend last year... or him.
This weekend I have my boys and next week is Thanksgiving! We've already bought our turkey and have made plans on what we are going to do. I'll have the boys for three hours that day and a friend might be joining us. Other than that, I plan to just take it easy for a couple days. I REALLY need to relax and have some quiet time. I never get to do that and I desperately need it. We got some things to do on Saturday that will be fun, other than that, I am just going to focus on the therapy I need of relaxing. I might get productive on some artwork, but I'm not promising myself anything other than some much needed rest/relaxation... whatever form that takes.
I plotted out some new pages for Starslam 3 and scanned a bunch of new things for the Patreon.. whenever that is going to launch. I might do some inking on the pages this weekend if the kids let me. We shall see.
I'm addicted to the new Neal Morse album, THE SIMILITUDE OF A DREAM. It might dethrone Anthrax's FOR ALL KINGS as my album of the year. Its a big musical journey, for sure. Ranks up there with some of his best. You can check out the album yourself on Itunes or order it through his website HERE - If you like prog rock, stuff like early Genesis, Yes, Floyd and other stuff, you'll certainly dig this.
I wrote a song at work the other night. Some great lyrics that I need to hone down and put music to. I know early on this year I got a new bass and wanted to do some recording. Those plans never happened. But I still desire to get something going with it. Perhaps after the holidays and I get a couple of these comic/book projects out the door, I might focus some creative energy that way. I'd like to. I got a ton of good personal songs I'd like to get done and out into the world in some form. Maybe the Patreon? Who knows! We'll figure it out.
Thanksgiving is the precursor to the big Xmas season. I've already started buying presents for the kids and Kitty D. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Yes, even after this year of absolute shit. Right now I'm just thankful I'm awake and still here. Its all I need at the moment. And next week I'm going to cook the fuck out of a large 22 pound Turkey, Taters, Dumplings, Stuffing, Biscuits, Asparagus, Beans and more. To celebrate life and love. To think to the good days ahead.
Yeah, sometimes we're all deep in the shit. But we know the light keeps us safe and sane. We can be each others light. Let's keep striving for that.
Before I launch into the blog, an update from last time... (I plan to post updates on the diet here probably every blog so that you can hold me accountable!) I am off soda, Day One. Doing okay. I held strong against the temptation today. Feeling tired, but that is to be expected. Onward!!
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Okay, now onto this blog's subject.. MUSIC.
Some of you might not know where my website, IDIOTHEAD.COM got its name from. Well, it started back in 2004 when my friend of 20 years Shane Logan and I started a band. We had bands back in high school and we played a couple gigs. But mostly we enjoyed tooling around in the studio and making music. Our best project was a joke band called (drum roll)... "IDIOTHEAD." It was basically like Weird Al, but very vulgar. We would record in any genre of music and we enjoyed it. It started as a goof, really. But in the end, we found it easily accessible and fun to do.
Shane has been one of the only people on this planet that I have been able to collaborate with comfortably. We read each other's minds and catch up to each other well. Our music tastes are similar, but he leans towards more heavy stuff, whereas I love other genres like Jazz, Swing, Ska, Rap, etc. But we both love grunge, progressive, punk, rock and classic rock. We meld together quite well.
From 2004-2006, we recorded THREE ALBUMS as IDIOTHEAD.
For the longest time, these albums were available for purchase here on the website. But after a time, the focus shifted from music and went mostly toward my comics and what I was doing. Shane got busy raising a family and he moved out of state. Our last CDs sold and we never reprinted them. The idea was to release them digitally, but we wanted to remix them and even re-record some of the songs to present them in the best form. It was one of those "back burner" projects that maybe, possibly, we'd get to one day.
The years went by and he is now back in Michigan and we talk weekly. We'd occasionally talk about recording music again, but my comics have always been more of a priority in my life. My guitar sat in the closet, quiet and collecting dust. I sold off my amps and piano over the years. But I couldn't let my beloved Fender Strat go.
Recently I've been thinking a lot about music again. I've discovered new bands. I've gone to more concerts. My vinyl addiction is strong. My musical idols are dying off. Its just a weird time for me. And sometimes when we're faced with a clean slate in life we ask ourselves, "What do I want to do?"
It was through this soul searching that I found I had the interest and drive to make music again. I started writing ideas and lyrics down, like I hadn't done in almost ten years. I never stopped loving music, but I just lost the zeal to make it. But that has recently changed.
In 2015, Shane and I got together for the first time in 7 years and jammed. I was rusty as shit as I haven't played in years and that is evident, but we had a good time:
It sparked the conversation of doing it all again. We're older, more experienced in the world. Maybe we got more to say. Maybe our new musical influences can shine a bit. Maybe I can finally take some of the demos I've had laying around for years and make them into something. Maybe not Idiothead even, but a personal or SOLO album, if you like. There really is no limit to what I'd like to do.
Pie in the sky dream: I'd love to do some more Idiothead stuff as well as other genres and styles. I'd love to release a ton of music digitally and maybe.. just maybe.. make a vinyl record of our best stuff. Maybe raise the money via a Kickstarter... who knows, man. There's no limit!
But the drive must continue. I'm pretty pumped up about it right now. My birthday is in a week. I am considering getting a new amp, effects pedal and maybe even a bass guitar. I will record some demos in garage band and we'll swap them. We've already set aside a weekend this year to get together and record some music. I am looking forward to it. I got demo ideas and we're talking about it.
Would this be a FOURTH Idiothead album? Or maybe redo some of the old songs, make new ones and release it as a serious version of the band's music? Maybe use up all the old video footage that I have and release a documentary along with it? There's tons of demos and things archived. We'll get out of it what we put into it, honestly. And right now, I feel like going all out. Cause why the fuck not!
Anyway, that's something to keep an eye on for 2016. New music is coming from me. In one form or another. I'm making music more of a priority in my life. It should've always been that way. But I'm not gonna turn my back on it. Never again.
Ten years is too long to stay musically quiet. Even for our silly little band. This summer, we're gonna fix that.
Hello my ghosts and goblins! I hope your weekend was fun of epic spooky fun! I had quite the weekend myself and I thought I'd make ya a nice recap. Here we go:
Here I am set up at MONSTER BASH 2015. I always look good in fake glasses for some reason. At least, Anna Pocalypse thinks so!
On Friday after work I set up at the Monster Bash 2015 party. We watched Night of the Living Dead and parts of Nosferatu. We had tons of booze, tacos and spooky fun! It was great to hang out with some new friends and just chill and celebrate with some costumes!
Misty rocked a VELMA from Scooby Doo!
"Where's the killer? I think I need a clue!"
My costume ended up being a sort of LEATHERFACE inspired murder guy. Best I could do at the last minute. Still, I had some fun. The fake blood I sprayed on my shirt the night before dried and ended up looking pink! Yuck.
We left around 11ish and got home and drank some more. Pre-game for Halloween I say!
Saturday morning, Misty treated me to some breakfast at this place called the Soup Spoon in Downtown Lansing. I love a good breakfast!
Green Pepper, Sausage & Onion Omelet! Hellz yeah!
Outside the Soup Spoon is a graffiti wall you can chalk on. The first line is a misty joint. Mine is on line three. Sorry about that... HA!
I didn't take any pictures of the night but Saturday night we had a big Halloween bash of our own at my house. A few of my close friends came by and we drank and watched Rocky Horror and Fright Night while tossing down some CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY. I got severely, severely drunk. I don't remember going to bed. All in all, a good night!
Sunday, I nursed a mother of a hangover. But I got my kids and enjoyed their company!
Immediately, the boys raid our candy pumpkin.
For Halloween, Scotty rocked a STORMTROOPER and James was SCOOBY DOO! Man have kid's costumes come a long way from when I was a kid!
Overall, a great weekend! One I surely needed. With Monsterbash over, that concludes my 2015 convention/public appearances. I thank everyone who had me out and also checked out my shit throughout those times. I will be hitting the road next year, albiet in a few NEW places. Details to come later on that.
2016 will bring many new things in Adam-World. A new STARSLAM. PLEASANT LIFE. a few new comic surprises and even this...
I was in contact with Shane this week about my continued interest in doing another IDIOTHEAD album. And we've got a potential cover and concept. Once my plate is cleared after the winter, I am gonna be itching to do some recording. Looking forward to it, and all that 2016 has to bring in my world. Finally, the world is gonna see what I've been working on! You're warned!
Hey everyone! I'm back from my weekend "vacation" and life is returning to normal. I had great fun and tried to relax as much as possible. It was good to get away from it all for a couple days and enjoy myself a bit. I spent time with family, friends and loved ones. I saw my brother, reunited with Shane and jammed a bit, hung out with Matt & Michelle, hung with my boys, got them some discs, shopped with my girl and ate at a few fancy places. Here are some pics with captions:
First stop was JON'S COUNTRY BURGER in Mt. Pleasant. Necessary.
No visit to Mt. Pleasant is complete for me until I see a bit of my old stomping grounds. Like the WARD theater downtown. Man I miss that job...
After visiting Mt. Pleasant and my family there, I went on to Midland and hung out with Shane, Sara and Evan. We even jammed on some songs. Here's some fun video of the event:
Artsy!
Neil Peart, I am not.
Like riding a bike.
Future poster Child of Rock and Roll.
Not really playing. But flipping you off.
We had dinner and drinks with Matt and Michelle. They got a bit tipsy! I wouldn't have them any other way!
On Sunday I went to my favorite restaurant in Lansing, GOLDEN HARVEST. An hour and a half wait in the cold but its sooooooooo worth it!
See what I mean? Best Breakfast in town!
All in all, its exactly what I needed. I reconnected with people and places that I've long been meaning to see again. And it all felt fresh and new. They were all happy to see me and how life is for me now. That is what vacations are all about!
And rest assured, Idiothead the band are talking about doing something in the future. Stay tuned!
