After that one comment, inspired me to write in this blog post about home recording setup. Like I said, I don’t have much of a setup or a rig like they call it. I just have a cheap M-Audio Fast Track interface that was about $100, a couple of small piece of shit speakers, headphones, I have a Shure SM58 microphone, and of course, a few guitars.

I would like to improve my home recording setup down the road whenever I can afford it. Whenever I get a job and start working again, maybe I’ll start saving for more recording gear. However though, when you want to become a home recording musician, you don’t need to get all of these fancy and expensive equipment. You can still make a studio quality demo at home for $500 worth of home recording gear. That’s all you need for a home recording studio. You can still sound like a PRO recording on the cheap.

Sometime down the road, I would like to get better monitors (or speakers). I would like to get a MIDI keyboard so I can learn how to put band back up behind my music and all that stuff. I would like to get a better Audio interface too. My guitar sounds perfectly clean in recording but I would like to make the vocals sound better ’cause there’s a little bit of hissing noises in the background. Maybe if I get better software and a better interface, it’ll help make the vocals sound cleaner.

I used to use Pro Tools Academic to record on but it’s really old and outdated so for now I just use Cakewalk Music Creator 5. I bought Music Creator 5 cheap ’cause I needed something to record on. I was planning to use that until I find a better ProTools software to use. I will buy a new ProTools software down the road too.

You see, you don’t need to waste a lot of money at a local studio to record your albums when you can record your music on the cheap at home. It’s worth it, trust me. Cheap recording equipment is great for recording acoustic demos. You can even record a full band at home if you wanted to. I’m always trying to find ways to improve my home recording setup.

Before ProTools and computer software came around, I was just recording my music on a piece of shit Tascam 4-track machine, remember those, yeah?

I’ve been recording my songs at home for many years. I may have recorded a demo in a professional local studio once in 2006 and that’ll be the only time I’ll do that, I think. As long as you can make a decent sounding demo at home, there’s no need to record in a professional studio. I don’t really enjoy someone else recording my music when I prefer to do it on my own. Have the training, learn the software, and you’re good to go.

There’s a lot of famous bands that recorded their own music and they didn’t really have a producer. Led Zeppelin recorded all of their own albums and Jimmy Page produced all of them. It’s good to record your own music and not have someone else do it for you. Your own vision, your own sound, and your own creativity.

Kev

Just wrote several poems of my own this week. It’s a great way to speak your mind. I wish I got into poetry a long time ago. The reason why I got into poetry is ’cause I wanted to see how they do it and see how they rhyme and stuff. Coming to think of it, after reading a lot of poetry already, I am finding out that you do not need to rhyme at all. In fact, I find poetry to be the best when you don’t rhyme. I think rhyming is boring and stupid, in my opinion. In my lyric writing, I hardly ever made ’em rhyme. I think poetry/lyrics are more interesting when they don’t rhyme. I think rhyming is for cowards and it’s only good for rap music. You can write poetry however you want to. There are no rules.

Will I start publishing some of my own poetry for this blog? Like I said only certain ones. Most of my poetry are going to be for my own private and personal use. Kind of like a private diary. Writing poetry will certainly help get me out of my writers block for songwriting. This will definitely help make my lyric writing a little different.

Poetry is very cool. It’s never too late to get into it.

I’m thinking whenever I start gigging again, I could read a few of my poems spoken word like at the start of the performance. I could also read poetry aloud at open mic shows too. I’ll start reading some on video for my youtube channel.

Only thing though, my poetry will be no holds barred, anything goes kind of poetry. That means they will probably have swearing, dirty talk, and all that stuff. My poetry won’t be just negative rantings, I’ll try to write more friendlier and positive poems too.

Creative writing is good for ya. When I was a kid, I used to want to be a horror fiction writer like Stephen King but once I discovered music and guitar playing things changed. In fact, I have already been writing poetry for years ’cause lyrics is pretty much the same thing, anyway. Writing is one of my favorite things to do as you can tell ’cause writing on a blog is a huge part of it. I just love to write what’s on my mind. It helps make you stronger, smarter, and makes you a better person.

Kev

Yes, I put my thoughts and honest criticism about local music and the Capital Region scene publicly for the whole world to see but do I feel guilty or ashamed of it? No, not at all. If these bands and the Capital Region’s music scene are doing their thing publicly, it gives me the right to be honest about it as much as I please. Am I really hurting the scene and putting it down with my honest rants about local music? If I am, I don’t really care. It don’t hurt to have a little bit of honesty.

You do all your best to support bands that you like by buying their albums and going to their shows but all you get is nothing but disrespect by them in return. Bands who have that kind of attitude makes me want to puke too. You do nothing but try to be helpful and supportive but some certain bands don’t even care. They act all nice to you in person but online… they seem to have negative attitudes.

This is why I do what I do. The Capital Region’s music scene is not such a great scene. I just call out the bullshit that goes on through here and tell things like I see it. Yet, musicians come back becoming all defensive. If that’s the kind of attitude you’re gonna have… good luck with your music ’cause you’re gonna need it. What I do here is called honest criticism. If you can’t take that, then you have no right to be calling yourself a musician. The no. 1 rule if you want to get further is that you must have a thick skin. You have to deal with the harsh reviews of critics out there

My postings about local music are not directed at any band in particular. It’s about all local bands in general.

This scene is pretty crazy and not such a friendly scene as some people mistakenly believe it is.

If you don’t like what I write on here, that’s tough. I’ll continue to be honest and tell things like it is. There really is too much bullying around here, it’s just unreal. I’m done supporting bands & musicians who don’t seem to show any support in return. Bands like that are just a waste of time to me. I won’t buy their albums, won’t go to their shows. Bands with negative attitudes are just 100% unprofessional behavior and I’ll have no problem exposing that stuff.

If you want to respond, fine, just keep the response civilized ’cause I don’t accept bashing of any kind. I’m not removing this post either, btw.

Kev

I started reading poetry a few months ago hoping to learn how to write poems of my own or to improve my lyric writing. I started reading poems by various poets such as Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, EE Cummings, Alfred Tennyson, etc. Those poets were pretty good but I was hoping for something better and more intense. Until I started reading poems by Charles Bukowski, I was immediately hooked. I’m so addicted to Bukowski poems. Bukowski is the true poet, in my opinion. What I love about Charles Bukowski is that he liked to rant and rave in his poems. He would rant in a no holds barred anything goes kind of style. Read his poems for proof. He’ll use cuss words and talk dirty quite a lot. He doesn’t even rhyme when he wrote his poems. After reading a lot of Charles Bukowski poems, that’s pretty much all the poetry I need. Who cares about all the other poets. Bukowski really did something and inspired me. His way of writing is kind of like me. He had an interesting way of words too.

After reading a lot of poetry already, I’ve came to an understanding that there are no rules in poetry. You don’t even need to learn how to write poetry. You don’t need to go to poetry class or read a “how to” book. If you want to write poetry, just write. You don’t have to rhyme. You can make your poems as long as you want. You can make a verse as long as you want. The same goes for writing song lyrics, I guess.

I just thought I would read poetry for something different and for some inspiration. I was asking for some poet recommendations from people in facebook a little while back and a few women kept recommending me, Charles Bukowski. I can understand why they would think I would like his poems ’cause I believe people think the way I write on the internet is kind of like Charles Bukowski. That’s why his name came up a lot when I asked for poets to read. Glad, I took their advice.

I’m gonna start writing my own poetry this month. Maybe start tonight. I’ll use poetry to vent about things that goes in life just like Bukowski does. I won’t write in his exact style, of course, I gotta come up with my own. Poetry is interesting, though. Glad I got into it. If I start writing my own poetry, not sure if I’ll publish them for my blog… maybe certain ones but not all of them. I could do my rant & raves in poetry form for this blog to make things interesting instead of blogging in long paragraphs. I’ll have to figure something out.

Kev

Charlie Daniels, the legendary country star famous for his hit, “Devil Went Down To Georgia” posted this inspirational quote today:

Real courage is tested and proven when you stand against the onslaught of popular opinion knowing you’re right Let’s all make the day count. – Charlie Daniels

So when I disagree with everyone else who seem to have the same opinions on everything that goes on in politics and current events… does that make me a bad and controversial person that some make me out to be? In reality, no… not at all. It’s a good thing to do is to disagree with popular opinion. It’s okay to stand against popular opinion. You don’t have to side with everyone on everything. You know what that’s telling you when you do stuff like this? It shows that you are brave. Not afraid to be honest even if it might upset some people.

I’m not trying to explain myself or to defend myself, just trying to make a point.

I just think having the same opinions as everyone else is pretty lame and I don’t have to be like that. It’s okay to be different and there’s nothing wrong with it at all. Don’t get me wrong though, I do side with everyone on some things but it happens very rarely.

I just think life is better being honest and realistic. As long as I’m getting people going, getting people pissed at my thoughts… it lets me know that I’m doing okay and I might be saying something right.

Kev

I remember in the past, I was saying that the only way to get a woman these days is that you must have a good job, a cool car or have good looks.  I think that was last year when I was saying that stuff? I was saying that stuff on my twitter too. Talking about how women can be shallow and  can be gold diggers. Well, now I’m beginning to see that’s not all true. Yes, there are gonna be some gold digging/shallow women out there but not all of them. I’m beginning to see that a lot of women will care for you of who you are. They will like and care for you. I think the key to getting a woman to like you is being confident and making her happy. I’m just beginning to see that women aren’t that bad and they’re easy to talk to. Every time I go out… women seem to be enjoying hanging with me. I have quite a bit of women in my facebook page and  I keep in touch with some of them too. Yes, attractive looking women.

So I’m beginning to see that it shouldn’t be that hard to get a woman. Yes, I have been trying, guys. I have been meeting new people. Meeting different women this year and they seemed to like being around me too. It doesn’t matter who you are. As long you treat her like a queen and make her smile — all the time — she’ll do just about anything with you. Maybe they don’t find me that bad looking at all? I’m not saying that I’m hot looking or sexy — that’s for them to decide.

I just gotta find the right match. Find the woman who has the same interests as me. I’ll date a girl not only because she’s beautiful & gorgeous. Looks doesn’t really matter to me, honestly. She doesn’t have to be beautiful & gorgeous. Good looks would be a plus but I look for personality first. I’m looking for someone to talk to, a companionship.

The woman friend thing is getting worked on. I’m trying. I’m about trying to find that Ms. Right. I won’t date girls at random. I’m being very picky and being very careful.

With that being said, I was wrong about women being shallow and I’ll admit it. They can be sweethearts to you as long you treat them with respect and treat them like humans. They will become your friend, possibly more.

Kev

I went to my cousin’s wedding over the weekend. That’s why I didn’t post much last Saturday. I was at the wedding all day.

I enjoy wedding parties ’cause it’s fun to dance and fun to watch everyone else having a good time. A great cover band called, Total Soul, played the wedding. I’m not into cover bands too much. I’m mostly into bands who play original music only, but Total Soul was awesome. The thing with this band is that they are so energetic and tight on stage. The three singers sing really great and have impressive pipes. All of the musicians in this band are very talented. When they play cover songs, they don’t play them note for note. They improvise a lot which is part of why they earned my respect. Plus, this band loves people, they show it and they love to see people having a great time. We need more cover bands like this.

Yes, I love to dance. It’s one of my favorite things to do. I’m an okay dancer but would love to learn how to dance better. I want to like really learn how to dance like a pro. Maybe learn some breakdancing, lol. Learn how to do the MJ moonwalk or something.

Anyway, I was dancing with a couple of pretty looking ladies that I didn’t even know. It looks like they have boyfriends, of course but one thing though that weddings and dance parties aren’t about stealing other guys women. They almost always let you dance with their wife or girlfriend if you want to… they’re usually cool with it and there is no jealousy involved. One of the girls I was dancing with gave me a kiss so I gave her a kiss back so that was kind of cool, just a big kiss on the cheek — nothing major. It seems like every time I go out dancing at a live show, chances are, women are going to want to dance with me. I guess I know how to get the women going out on the dance floor, ha! This is making me becoming a lot more confident around the ladies and realizing they won’t bite at all.

Getting a lover/partner in your life is not just about the attractive looks, that stuff is secondary. As long as you’re a nice guy and treat the women like humans, they’ll be all over you before you know it, doesn’t matter the looks. On top of that, it’s making me realize that women don’t find me all that bad looking after all. I think I got it with the women. I just need to understand them and learn how to talk to them. I’m learning as you can tell.

I love dancing to live bands more than DJ’s. DJ’s are okay but live music is way more fun.

I’m thinking about starting or joining a cover band myself. If I’m having a tough time trying to find work elsewhere doing the cover band thing sounds like a nice idea. I know cover bands get paid pretty decent. If I’m having a tough time trying to find a real job — I’m beginning to realize that I was made to be a paying musician.

Kev

It seems that all my rants and thoughts about President Obama’s presidency and Trayvon Martin case are really offending people… and getting out there. This is why I didn’t really want to speak out on the Trayvon Martin stuff ’cause I knew people weren’t gonna like it. I really should have kept my thoughts to myself.

Sorry for being a bit too overboard on stuff but I’m just not afraid to be truthful, ya know? I’m not afraid to have a differences of opinions. A lot of people seem to be agreeing with each other over popular opinion, that’s just me though (aka “bandwagon jumpers”).

Sure enough… people are also gonna start calling you racist if you don’t agree with Obama’s presidency or if you don’t side with Trayvon. You see, I’m not racist. I respect and love black people. I once supported Lil Wayne and wished him well when he got hospitalized. I also mourned the deaths of Michael Clarke Duncan and the Springsteen sax player. There are so many talented musicians and movie actors who I respect who are black. I’ve hung out with people who were black over the years of my life. I’m not a racist.

Don’t forget what the black community did with their thoughts on the OJ Simpson trial back in the day.

The media and the people responding to news stories is full of hypocrisy, it’s unreal.

While my thoughts on Trayvon Martin and President Obama will remain the same… I’ll try to write things to make things better in the future. However, though, when it comes to being racist the black community can be just as racist toward the whites. Do you think it’s okay for them to call us, “cracka” or “whitey”? No. We don’t find it okay. They’re really starting to show their hatred toward the whites anyway over this Trayvon Martin case. It’s no different, ya know? Again… back and forth hypocrisy.

We all have a right to our own opinions. I have the right for mine. It seems that people lose respect for you and won’t like you anymore if they don’t agree with your thoughts in current events and politics. It’s just silly in my opinion but that’s the way the internet works, I guess. It’s the internet. People are crazy. There’s nothing wrong with having different views.

The reason I have differences of opinions a lot ’cause I have a very strong conservative view of things. I never see things the liberal kind of way. I don’t like the liberal part of politics but that’s just me. When controversial stuff happens in the news, I just put my opinion out there just like everyone else is doing. I should have the right for it. I never saw my posts being controversial. I view them as insightful information and would let people post their honest feedback, that’s it. It’s interesting how people react to this stuff.

I really am thinking about giving up political discussion and true crime stuff. That stuff is not giving me the respect I once had. I’m thinking about going back to movie reviews and music reviews full time. Feel free to post your thoughts, I’ll approve your comment.

Kev

Yeah, I know I talk a lot about improvisation as a guitarist. That’s the kind of guitarist I prefer to be. That’s the kind of guitar playing I like. If you notice, I give the most respect to musicians who are good at improvisation on a professional level. That’s why you see me supporting the greats such as Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Satriani, and Neil Young. There are a lot of other guitarists that I like but those few that I listed are my heroes and absolute favorite! You see, I’m not into shred guitar much such as Yngwie or Steve Vai. Those guys are great guitarists, don’t get me wrong — I’m more interested in guitar solos that are played with feeling and with heart. I don’t care about fast notes being played all over the place. Joe Satriani maybe a virtuoso shredder, true but at least he plays with feeling and heart. Joe Satriani is great at making his shred guitar sound musical and lyrical — that’s why I respect the Satch so much.

I’m not the best lead guitarist. In fact, I believe I’m okay at it but still have a lot of work to do. I am learning though but that’s the kind of lead guitarist I want to be. I can’t stand guitar solos that are written. I prefer guitar solos to be winged out. I like the jamming part of music and that’s the way it should be, in my opinion. Also you don’t need to play a great solo by playing a bunch of fast notes… you can still play a great solo with just a few notes like maybe 2 or 3 listen to certain Pink Floyd songs as perfect examples.

To become a better lead guitarist… all you need to learn the basic scales. Learn the minor/major pentatonic scales, the blues pentatonic scales, and learn the 7 modes. If you can get all that, then you’re set — that’s all you basically need. You don’t need to be a technically skilled lead guitarist just a few scales.

To be good with improvisation… the only way to be successful at that is knowing the name of the notes and memorizing the sounds in your head of each note. Determine the song the key is  in and memorize the sound that the key the song is in then you’re good to go. To make your lead guitar solos sound musical and tasteful… practice makes perfect. Jam with as many recordings as you can. Jam to your favorite songs, backing tracks or even better practice jamming with other musicians. Practicing to your own recorded playing helps too. You also need to listen to as many guitar solos as possible which is what I do.

I’ve listened to so much Led Zeppelin live albums and Jimmy Page plays each solo differently. For example, the solo to “Stairway” @ every live Led Zeppelin show is different. That’s the way improvisation works.

I’m really working on my improvisation skills. It’s getting better and improving, I think. It seems pretty easy and not that hard.

Improvisation and ear training is the most overlooked technique in music. There are so many lead guitarists in bands out there who don’t know anything about improv — they just write out the solos for their songs or when playing in a cover band they just play the same solo note for note.

That’s the kind of music I love to listen to mostly. I love music with improvised jams. Songs that can go on for as long as 10 min. – 30 min. on stage. Musicians claim that long guitar solos are boring and it bores the audience but I totally disagree. That’s what jamming is all about. Guys get together and play some tunes and they’ll play the same song until they drop. They don’t care. They just play whatever comes out of their minds and play with feeling.

That’s why when you go see a Neil Young & Crazy Horse concert his songs can go on for like 10 – 30 minutes on stage ’cause those guys like to jam. Why do these bands play for so long? It’s because they can’t help it. The songs will stop whenever they feel like stopping. They can never tell whenever the song is gonna end when performing on stage.

I’ve always played my acoustic shows like that. Listen to the “Time Bomb/Mr. Tough Guy” stuff — perfect example. Sometimes in gigs when I’m scheduled to play a 45 minute set… I go a little overtime ’cause of my improv. I know it’s kind of unprofessional but it can’t be helped. It’s part of jamming. That’s what I do. That’s the kind of band I want to have when ever I decide to get a band going. I want us to be a jamming kind of rock n’ roll band.

Improv music is great. Nobody really cares for it anymore but thankfully Neil Young tries to keep improv jamming alive when he released that album “Psychedelic Pill” with Crazy Horse.

If you know you can improvise well and have a good ear that’s when you’ll know that you’ll be able to call yourself an actual musician. That’s my goal.

Kev

Here’s an inspirational quote from facebook that’s worth passing along. It was written by poet, Jack Kerouac. I never got around to reading his poems yet but I will get to it. This quote is so true.

No matter who you are or how you are. No matter how your life is, you love everything about it. Your life may not be perfect but you love yourself and be grateful.

Some people like to mistakenly believe that my life is crap and have nothing much going on. Some people also called me a depressed and pathetic person. All that is farther from the truth. My life is actually great, really. My life isn’t perfect. I can make things better for myself which I’m trying but I’m enjoying every bit of it. No matter the ups and downs. I’m actually a pretty happy guy and always will be.  To hell with all those who think I’m not.

Kev