Saturday, July 27, 2002

        Time sure does fly!  It's amazing how fast the days go by when you keep them as busy as I do.  First off, practice with Michael went well this Monday.  We spent the majority of our time working on quiet songs and minor details of "Two Elements Collide".  Afterward, we sat and watched the video I took of our first gig at Sweet Dreams Cafe.  We are still floored by the reaction we got from the crowd after playing the "Techno Song"!  The people in the audience went from engaging conversation at their tables, to complete silence as they sat and watched what Michael and I were doing.  <gulp>  Wow!  I am so thankful that John had asked us play something of our own.

        Speaking of John, The Future Love Orchestra is not on hiatus just yet!  We are getting together, full steam ahead, on Monday to complete a couple more original songs for the next show.  Now that the ice has been broken and we have the first gig under our belts, I am more than enthused about sinking my teeth into more of John's material.

        Speaking of teeth, I have a dentist appointment for three fillings on Monday!  <insert words/phrases of panic here!!!>  There is a cavity in my back tooth that is big enough to support Lake Ontario!  The good thing is, the dentist shouldn't have to drill much for that sucker.

On that note, I bid you good evening,

Jim

Sunday, July 21, 2002

        The Future Love Orchestra's gig at Sweet Dreams Cafe in Madison, NJ was quite a success!  I would like to personally thank everyone who came out to support us: Layla, Chris, Elizabeth, Jen, Beth and Ruth.  It was my first live performance in well over a year as well as my first live performance with Michael since he and I started working together.  We played through two sets of top-40 songs spiced up with FLO's original, rocking tunes.  In and around that material, Michael and I fit in two of our own compositions that went over pretty well.

        For the next month, FLO will be on temporary hiatus while members of the band tie knots with their respective, significant others.  In the meantime, Michael and I will be convening for our regular jams during the week.  We will also be starting to record a new demo for FLO, completed Bass & Drum compositions and many more projects soon to come.  More on all that in good time.

Monday, July 15, 2002

        The first gig date is quickly approaching!  FLO will be putting in one last practice tomorrow night before the show on Saturday.  Michael and I will be getting together again on Thursday to brush up on some final details and work on our own material.  All in all, things have progressed nicely.  I have learned almost 30 songs in less than 30 days, a lot of which are originals.

        From Michael's perspective, a large cloud has been uplifted from the group.  With our more adventurous rhythm section playing, all of the songs we are playing have taken on a life of their own.  There is more room for improvisation, interesting little bass licks and a few handfuls of drum spice!  (speaking modestly)  My premier gig with FLO is going to be one to remember and really enjoy!  Don't miss it!

Thursday, July 4, 2002

        I took my amp back to Sam Ash yesterday.  I called up the corporate office to complain and they put me on with the President of the company.  This was very unexpected, but I kept my cool and explained the situation.  He made some calls and a manager from Sam Ash called me to arrange the drop off.  They are going to put a priority on the repair.  I probably won't have it in time for my gig on the 20th, but I decided to buy a 4-space rack just in case.  The sales associate cut me a break on the rack and a couple of other accessories.  I figured I could use this incident as leverage for a deal on gear.  You won't believe that on a $12 cable, he took off $7!  And that was still above cost.  Beware the markup on cables and accessories!

Wednesday, July 3, 2002

The Tale of The Customer With a Broken Ampeg B4

        So, you ask about the amp, aye?  Well, maybe not, but I tell you about the amp anyway.  I called Scam Cash on Monday for about the 10th time to check on the status of my extended service contracted amp repair.  After waiting on hold for more than 15 minutes, someone picks up and says, "I take it someone didn't call you?  Your amp is ready."  I made it my priority to pick up the amp after my Monday practice with Michael.  (Which went extremely well, mind you.)

        I spent the remainder of the evening in my car (driving to and fro) and talking with Brian Williams, a cool bass cat who was busting out Victor Wooten grooves on a Peavey 5-string while the stock boy was hunting around for my amp.  After I finally completed all the necessary paperwork and the store managers had made their last snide announcement for customers to "get the hell out, we're closed," I gathered my belongings and started back home.  The amp was remounted back into its rightful spot in the rack and jamming commenced for short while.  When all was satisfactory and I had set up the EQ and other various tone adjustments, I declared the amp ready for Tuesday's practice.

        While jamming with John and Michael, I strapped on my Funk Fingers and the 6-string.  We came up with one of the most excellent grooves that didn't make it onto tape!  But I shit you not, it was excellent.  About half way through the practice, I noticed a bit of crackling coming from the amp.  As we continued, the crackling continued.  It was obvious that my amp had not been repaired properly.

        Back to Scam Cash once again where I may donate my amp for the duration of the summer so they can send it to some half-assed, wife-beater t-shirt wearing, plumber's smiling, crack head amp repair shop.  Maybe I'm being too hard on them.  Then again, they didn't test the amp the same way I play it--I use the 5-way binding posts to bridge the amp into 1000 watts, mono, running in full range.  When I got it back, I saw that they switched the full range button to high pass/low pass, stereo--which is a completely different set of connections.

        But hey, I'm no expert, I'm just the ignorant end user.  I even provided them with a detailed letter describing the problem and how I run the amp.  I'm in the process of speaking with the President of the Sam Ash about this issue.  At least he didn't have me on endless hold!

Monday, July 1, 2002

        I decided not to go to Ocean City with the family and instead, chill out around the peaceful house.  I really need to just chill out and relax without the constant interruptions I normally deal with around here.  Besides, my staying home allowed me to hold my usual practice with Michael, which is far more enjoyable than getting sun burnt on the beach.

        The practice went extremely well!  We added some nice dynamics to "Elements" and thought out an arrangement for our techno song.  I was also very excited to show Michael what I had come up with my newly crafted pair of Funk Fingers!  The night before, I was just getting used to the new feel of the Funk Fingers and decided to try it with a different effects patch.  I added delay, reverb and a phazer to boot!  The end result sounded so fascinating to him that he exclaimed, "it sounds like the future!"  So, we are calling the new piece "The Future".  Rightfully so, considering the vast number of possibilities this new-to-me invention will open up for both of us.