The Chairman

2006-03-27T00:07:00.000-08:00

2006-03-26T23:55:00.000-08:00

Hi.
A quick update.
Tonight I arrived in Kingston, Ontario to prepare for my participation in the CBC production/series Hockeyville

I love this town!
I've played many a great show in Kingston....well, the shows were great , I might not have been, but MAN I had a good time!!
but the point is, this town is generally a good time.
i have some great, Talented friends who live, work and go to school here.
So, now I get to come out here every other week for the next couple of months, to play music for a show that's all about community, Hockey and being a CANADIAN!
Not a bad thing.
At this point there's a lot I don't know about the show, but I CAN tell you this much:
Craig Northey, my great musical cohort and friend is the musical director and put-er together of the musical side of things here.
the band I'm a part of called SHARKSKIN will be the house band.
This consists of:
Craig Northey-guitar
Doug Elliott-Bass
Simon Kendall-Hammond Organ/Piano
Steve Hilliam-Saxaphones
Terry Townsen-Trumpet

There will be some special guests and lots of strange and funny events.
So, I'll stop now to sleep before it's time for the first reheasal.

The first episode airs on Wednesday March 29th at 8:00pm!!!

Please!!

2006-01-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

Michael Moore Statement on Canadian Election

Michael Moore is currently in production on his next movie. As an avid lover of all things Canadian, he has issued the following statement regarding Canada's upcoming election on Monday:

Oh, Canada -- you're not really going to elect a Conservative majority on Monday, are you? That's a joke, right? I know you have a great sense of humor, and certainly a well-developed sense of irony, but this is no longer funny. Maybe it's a new form of Canadian irony -- reverse irony! OK, now I get it. First, you have the courage to stand against the war in Iraq -- and then you elect a prime minister who's for it. You declare gay people have equal rights -- and then you elect a man who says they don't. You give your native peoples their own autonomy and their own territory -- and then you vote for a man who wants to cut aid to these poorest of your citizens. Wow, that is intense! Only Canadians could pull off a hat trick of humor like that. My hat's off to you.

Far be it from me, as an American, to suggest what you should do. You already have too many Americans telling you what to do. Well, actually, you've got just one American who keeps telling you to roll over and fetch and sit. I hope you don't feel this appeal of mine is too intrusive but I just couldn't sit by, as your friend, and say nothing. Yes, I agree, the Liberals have some 'splainin' to do. And yes, one party in power for more than a decade gets a little... long. But you have a parliamentary system (I'll bet you didn't know that -- see, that's why you need Americans telling you things!). There are ways at the polls to have your voices heard other than throwing the baby out with the bath water.

These are no ordinary times, and as you go to the polls on Monday, you do so while a man running the nation to the south of you is hoping you can lend him a hand by picking Stephen Harper because he's a man who shares his world view. Do you want to help George Bush by turning Canada into his latest conquest? Is that how you want millions of us down here to see you from now on? The next notch in the cowboy belt? C'mon, where's your Canadian pride? I mean, if you're going to reduce Canada to a cheap download of Bush & Co., then at least don't surrender so easily. Can't you wait until he threatens to bomb Regina? Make him work for it, for Pete's sake.

But seriously, I know you're not going to elect a guy who should really be running for governor of Utah. Whew! I knew it! You almost had me there. Very funny. Don't do that again. God, I love you, you crazy cold wonderful neighbors to my north. Don't ever change.

Michael Moore

Rocking away the day the "GREAT" way

2005-10-19T17:01:00.000-07:00

I took the advantage today of getting 4 hours sleep, after the Montreal show, getting kicked off the tour bus @ 7:30 am on hi way 401, North of Toronto going to my friend's studio to record with a Rock Legend.
Andy Kim!
This guy is one of THE first DIY/indie guiys from as far back as 1973.
Prior to this he had a few big hits, among which was a little dity he wrote called "Sugar Sugar" , made famous by the Archies in The actual Summer of '69!!
His Indie bit is the fact that in 1973 he had a song he really thought would be a great hit but, no label would back him on this feeling.
So, he said "Fine, I'll finance it myself".
And that he did.
And so was born the #1 1974 smash hit by the Canadian-born, Lebanese pop singer/ songwriter.
When Andy recieved his first gold record for "Rock me gently", the presenter was John Lennon.
Wow!
I'm sure there's a lot more to say here,but part of all this info is also to say that this guy has hung out with, played with and scenestered with everyone,but he's a regular, kind, and down to earth humble guy!

My day was Spent recording "Whatever Happened To christmas", with Andy, his songwriting partner (and equally great songwriter and person), Ron Sexmith .
the Session was Co-Produced by my great friend Blair Packham
and engineered by Jeremy Darby

The whole premise was to try to make something that sounded like a 1966, Phil Spector recording.
Also known as "the wall of sound".
I think this was achieved.

SPecial thanks go out to Everyone who came to our Matt Good shows last weekend in Buffalo, Toronto , Ottawa and Montreal!
We had a freakin' blast and I thought, really great shows and...........we were over taken by the power obtained from hot chicken wings!
thanks Dave, Ashley,Tara and Scott for Toronto Photos!
I can't wait for the next few shows!
See ya

Tommy Want Wingey!

2005-10-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it over the U S Border today without and hassel.......I'm just sayin you never know how that's gonna go.
the cat whose job it was to register us was fan and said he'll be going.
I found that to be somewhat of a relief.
Dissolving any of the usual paranoia given to you if you're within 20 feet of a border crossing.
i don't know why.

Then it was time to find wings!
buffalo is famous for it.
back in the 80's when I would come through here with Bryan Adams, a friend of his would come by the bus with a bucket.....like 20 lbs of these great wings, so I always think I need to pay homage to those days.
Ahhh, rockin' at the Buffalo,Aud.......one of THEE older Hockey shrines to play Rock music at.
It is still standing I saw today as we came in.

We went to soundcheck and that was fine but what really interested me was the amount of mainly underage, tailgators in the parking lot.
It's not like I have not seen this, but, man, if you try doing that in.....name a Canadian city/town, you'd have the Cops there in minutes.
Interesting to me.
christian and I spoke to some fans outside,and I sampled some of this guys sickly sweet, Kool-aid Green Blueberry somethin Vodka......... and it feels like it'll be fun tonight.
these people have not had a Matt Good show here......uh, ever, I think.
And, It's TGIF in America!

I'm sorry I missed the Bruce Mc Culloch listening party last night.
I see the boys in Ottawa are freakin' pumped for the upcomming show there.
AHHHH, the Nation's Capital.
Well, the Cap is one of my favourite gigs of late.
that place is cool, all of you who have come out to the shows there MAKE IT fuckin' great!
Thanks.
i know they'll be tearing that place down soon, so I'm gonna wreck some shit that night.
Must hit things harder!!!
And, that things I'll hit will still be the whitepearlmaplemasters24181613......How's that mike?

My friend just called from New york and he wants to know who produced the Great album Maters Of Realty by Sabbath,he hears it playing in a club, so i google some shit......how great is it that we can just do that now in our life!
How also a nerd of me.
Oh well......but i have no Sabbath to quench my now opened curiosity,so, Sound Garden's "Switch Opens" will do.
Time to rock!

Back To Toronto...Back To Matt Good Style Rock!!

2005-10-11T23:44:00.000-07:00

Wow.....when was I here last?
Oh Well.
things have been going good.
With the fianl Pig out on Thanksgiving treats last night and today, i think I can now say "Summer is definately over."
Of Course, out in B C the weather has been amazing the last few days........shorts and T shirt style heat today.

Anyway, all those Summer shows with Wil went really well.
We had some really good times and inspired performances.
We've been out to Alberta acouple of times lately as well, and working on new songs and playin' 'em live has been adventuresome.

Hmmmm...as I write this, a lovely acoustic guitar with String quartet version of.....oh my God, it's a combo of Superman by crash Test Dummies into....Landslide by The Fleedwood Mac.
how the fuck did anyone come up with this secret,super,sweet combo?

We did 3 shows with matt a couple of weeks ago in Victoria.
It was good, high energy fun.
I expect the next few weeks to be of a similar nature.
It'll be really great to Rock the town of Buffalo thias Friday.
this is the first U S show I've done with Matt and the first time down there for Him and Rich since, I think, the year 2000.

Some Fellas by the name of "The Ladies And Gentlemen" from Toronto, will be opening up for us on the month long tour.
This will feature one Brento Follett, on DRUMS,last seen opening for Matt Good 1 year ago with the Great "Limblifter", from Vancouver.

OK.
I'm going to sleep.

I'll be right back..........

2005-08-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

Hey.
wow.....could I take longer to update?
In the meantime, I've not been sleeping well because.....

What did Puff Daddy change his name to?
I never heard.
Just always call him Puff Daddy 'cause any #%@& who keeps changin' his name like this is bound to be real pissed if you always refer to him by his first name!

I Even Wonder What I'm Doing Sometimes

2005-06-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

While flying today I worked on songs, arrangements and derangements for a record I recorded back in December with Great friends and rockers, Craig, Robbie, Simon and Doug.
This has turned into a new project called “Strippers Union #518”.
Were all heading up to the town that spawns rock, Kingston, Ontario for a few days of hanging with these songs so that we might remember how to play it all again next week for a couple of shows.
the shows are:
Canada am,Tuesday june 21st
Ottawa Barrymore’s Nightclub Wednesday June 22nd
Toronto The Mod Club Thursday June 23rd
London Friday June 24th
Hamilton Saturday June 25th

The music is great, it rocks and sways to sludgy mid tempo guitar based themes.
This whole thing, like the making of the Record, is a lot like some belated Summer camp experience.
And, as I only ever had 1 Summer camp trip, This is long overdue.

Upon boarding the flight today, I was asked by a friend if I could “commit” to something to play at in early July,I said I had to wait on someone else's plan that same day.
Call me the Juggler.
Later, as I was pelted with 80’s images, director’s dreams brought to life (by way of early Music video making), that bastion of fond memories “Retro good times” or whatever it is called played some great old Canadian Videos.

Why was Bryan Adams riding a Bull shaped like a Fender Stratocaster?
Alex Lifeson happily applied guitar wizardry while keeping his hair up to modern snuff.
All girls “HAD” to be pouty and wear oversized sweatshirts and floppy boots from Bata Shoes......and where ARE all those floppy boots now?

Wow.....sidetracked there.
Point is, I won’t know if I can make that “Commitment” until an important press meeting on Tuesday the 21st.
And THIS I found out while floating 35,000 ft. in the air.
No cel phone or e mail needed for this personal update.
Nope.
West Jet has in flight Satellite TV.

Kind of a small world even way up here.

Other recent things..............
I saw Ray La Montagne at a club show in Vancouver.
Fuckin’ amazing.
I think it was the best live performance I’ve seen.
ever.

There’s one problem with this scenario though.
As great as it is for the world to see a man and just his Guitar sing beautiful songs and kill us with his voice, thisis not a place to have a social party.
People are confused and mixed up these days.
Friday night Clinique girls- cel texting throughout the show to their friends who should be there too- at a solo acoustic show ?
It seemed to become a strange mix.
Like people with road rage, if you call them on their shit, these types of attendees would think nothing of telling you that you suck or fuck off for asking them to please keep ‘er down while the man sings.
The idea that they might possibly be annoying the other people who have paid to be there too is far from their grasp.

Hey!
I’m a texting freak.
I use a cel phone too much.
but, the point here is.........
We all need to keep in mind that what we do has an affect on the peeps around us.
R E S P E C T.
And Girls......SHUT THE FUCK UP!

Been Traveling.

2005-05-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

remember when you would cut a class on Friday 'cause at the time doing whatever with whomever seemed like a better time than Socials 11?.......and then you get back to that class on Tuesday because there was a long weekend......and everyone except you got the home work memo and now there's a test?.......but wait ......no, there's no option, the guy you were gonna get notes from was with you that fatefull afternoon at the dugout or washer machine or the olde mine shaft or the lake......Shit you think.
Yeah, Shit.
Man, I still get the odd dream that I'm late for class or whatever and I didn't get the assignment done.
Well, Today I feel a bit like one of those days as I look over my poor lonely Blog and it's epmty unanswered "Comments" box.

As I look at what Ciavarro has to say to me about "Quality" drinking materials, (if you're gonna drink, ....I'm not here to say do this or that....excapt ROCK the SKINS! ) I see it's exactly 1 month since my last hello to you good people.
Well.....HELLO!

Well, I went to Calgary, worked on some Wil songs....Flew to Ottawa and did this show there for an event called "Alberta Scene".
A showcase for all Alberta Artists.
I guess that means there'll be a BC Scene etc......I'd never heard of it.
Well it was a gas.
We met some cool people who run the place called Barrymore's Caberet in the Nation's Capital, and we stayed up until Breakfast the next morning playing music and guitars.
Very Kum By Yah but a good time..........we wrote a song but still can't find Simon who has the missing chord for the Bridge.

OK, next we went to Montreal..........the Greatest & Oldest Canadian city.
great because of it's multi everything-ism........food, History, clothes,MUSIC and some awesome people!.
i drive around that town and can't wait until i'm hungry again because there's so much attention to good eatin'!
We played 3 small clubs:
Casa De Poppolo, Petite-Cafe Campus and the Green Room.
the last place was located 2 blocks from the best bagels in the world!
so, what do a couple of fellas do at 3 in the morning after packing up the gear.....eat 6 sesame bagels a piece.

Next morning.......what better way to spend your Birthday than driving with a gut full of dough from montreal to Ottawa, return car and fly to vancouver and go out to have some music at the Railway club with pals, eat burger and beer and then sleep.
No freakin' cake though!
I don't think a Tim Horton's neon colored what-cha-ma thingy with Homer Simpson "Painted" on it counts, so I pass.

OK, I looked at the calender just now and I see that my low posting quotient kind of matches my activity.
I got to have 2 or 3 B Day dinners with a fellow Taurean.
I recorded some songs for the son of a famous Canadian and man, there are some things going on out there in 21 yr. old's land that are really good.
Too much to say there, but My great Friend John Ellis, once again called me up for this project.

Now there's a guy.
www.johnmacarthurellis.com/
I've watched him and played different gigs over the years with him.
He's a killer guitar man and now he keeps doing these cool sort of Alt Country/Roots/Rock recordings......and plays great Pedal Steel guitar.
And also owns some Parakeet things.
**(Megan, what's with Rockers and tiny birds?)
A lot of this is indie stuff, the kind of things that should be given achance to be heard by the world.
Man, the indie peeps rock hard on every level from cool songs to making it happen without any label backing.
And the thing is.....MOST OF IT NEEDS TO BE HEARD!
So much other stuff makes it up the ladder that maybe should stay down in the back yard until it learns to .... sing ,play live and just, get good.

One guy who I got to work with last year has escaped......his name is Jeremy Fisher.
I've seen him live with just an acoustic guitar and he rules.
Killer voice and cool songs.
Check him out.

So now I'm readying for some Sweet Summer Rocking.
I'll keep you posted on all that.

I'm doing an openeing set for Ray La Montagne this Friday May 27th @ Richard's in Vancouver.
check out Ray!
amazing American artist with lyrics that burn and a voice that is soooooo sweet.

OK.
Answer questions time.

Mike.....did you make the Ottawa show?
Waht Juno?
I've got a Juno?
Ahh......I think you mean for the LL Nomination.
WandafromhalifaX........Is the Marquee still happening?
I still havn't heard Joel Plaskett's solo thing......but I've heard it's great

To Ryan Dahle.......Favourite rocker friend who is also quite a givers' Man !
How to work swell with others:
I love to play and make music/Recordings, so, if you like this type of thing, this type of thing is for you.
MAKE SURE YOU LIKE WHO YOU'RE PLAYING WITH.......THAT YOU CAN ALL EXCHANGE IDEAS.....AND THAT YOU'RE ON THE SAME TASTE IN MUSIC LEVEL.........IF THE SONGS AREN'T FOR YOU, YOU WON'T DIG WORKING ON IT AND....WELL, YOU SHOULD LEAVE.

I'm not sure if I do read a songwriter like a chart, but:
I TRY TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE OR HEADSPACE AS HE/SHE IS.....AND IF THE ABOVE INFO IS PART OF THE SCENARIO, IT'LL RUN SMOOTHLY......GIVING ENERGY TO THE SONG MIGHT WELL INSPIRE OTHERS IN THE ROOM....AND IF SOMEONE PLAYS A RIFF I THINK IS COOL, I'LL MENTION IT AND MAYBE THAT WILL BE ENCOURAGING.

Some people will give out a lot of direction and some won't at all, again:
THIS WILL BE THE READING OF THE PERSON AND WHERE THEY WISH TO BE GOING.
I OFTEN TALK ABOUT THINGS I'VE HEARD THAT INSPIRE ME AND THIS CAN PUT US IN THE FUN PLACE.
SOMETIMES EXTRA PATIENCE IS REQUIRED TO GET THROUGH PART OF A REHEARSAL OR RECORDING.
TRY TO KEEP THE TASK AT HAND IN YOUR FOCUS.
COMMUNICATION FOR ALL IS THE RULE HERE, THEN WE ALL KNOW WHERE THINGS ARE HEADING.
I THINK ALL THIS WILL KEEP THE VIBE GOOD AND THEN YOU CAN BE INTENSLY ENJOYING WHAT YOU'RE DOING!

Wes!!!
This is an important question.
Important because Steve Gadd is one of the Greatest and Influential of the last 50yrs.
Steely Dan were cool.
Somke of it might seem a tad goofy.
but, there were some really fine performances done many great Players.
Steve Gadd was one of them....so Was Bernard Perdie, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Keltner.
Lot's to say here......not enough time today.....but Steve IS the groove king and is Currently playing with Eric Clapoton.
So, look for a DVD of E C and listen for a wicked shuffle feel.

Danno.....Your page photo is fuckin' awesome!
Yeah I remember seeing you up at Cap.
there'll be some Shows this Summer......head up to Edmonton or something for some MG-ing......or check his sight.

Pie ISS Yumm!
Still waiting to rock the Kyuss......My Friend Flo Plays for Kryptopsy and he is Wicked S T I N K Y !!
Jason...Yo! The Weekend? that's your band? Cool. thanks and I'm glad what ever we spoke of was helpfull.

Too many favourites CD's to get into now...later.
Therev....Thanks.....that was a good time for sure.

OK.....bye for now all.
Pat

Wicked Page Turner

2005-04-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hi And thanks for your readings and responses to last weeks entry.
It truly is what I love to do, Playing Drums, and especially making recordings.
Helpinf people bring their musical ideas to fruition is an amazing and sometimes quite challenging opportunity.

I've come to accept that I am a once a week blogger.
Upon looking over the last 3 weeks it averages out to about 1 a week.
So, sorry ......no I'm not!
I rebel against that which is the norm......sometimes.
I would honestly get nothing done if I was trying to keep my blogging up to date on the super modern level.
So, fuck it.
I'm gonna make some music instead and with that other %10 percent of my time I'll write about it.....and my Dogs are looking at me like "Hey, When do WE matter enough to go out for a wicked-long walk in the woods"!
I just think, for me, that some weighty things need to happen or be born in order for me to write about.
Buyt I do appreciate this forum for getting to do so.

A couple of my friends are quite impressive with their daily output of infoirmation and stories.
I'm just operating on a different level with this.
And with that said, I'm going to answer a few things from last weeks blog here, because I feel they need to be answered, but because I take so long to get back via Haloscan I'm sure no one will be looking at last weeks post/comments to see if the Chairman is still around!

First, Thanks go out to Team "Blackstone" For the good times in the studio last week!
Next, Ciavarro..........what a cool name and what a good term, I've seen and heard it used a few times since last week.
Brendan, Mickey Curry
Mickey Curry Has been Bryan's Drummer ( another story right there!) since I left wayyyyyyy back, so, by all means go to the Adams-Lepperd show.
I'm curios if this will be one of the top 3 rock tours this year, just because people know and love all those songs.
I told a friend last night when Some Lepp came onthe radio, that if you like this then you'll love the DArkness.
Maybe?
I think it's hilarious, and that Guy can sing!

Tyler, I've never used Electronic kits for performing.
However, about a year ago I was in Long and Mc Quade in Vancouver and I sat down on the Roland electronic kit and after I put the headphones on........about 45 minutes of my life disappeared!
I was jamming along to all these loops and it was pretty cool.
Back in the Late 80's, all this new technology was comming in to use and for a while there I had some concern and anxiety about if I should be going out and wasting $4,000 to be up to date with the rest of the world ( oh the downfalls of being in a Country that is always compared to it's USA equivalent).
But then, a month later, it was out dated and you'd have to drop another pile of dough.
I just kept playing real drums and doing what I do and I made it through that gross but needed period in musical history.

Back when I played in Adam's band, I used 3 Rack and 2 floor toms.
This was because I had to play all this stuff off his Albums that were played by Mickey Curry, and that was his set up.
I think back then I may have wanted a reason to use a big kit, and when I got the Adams gig, it made sense to do so.
Man, it was AWESOME to play a kit that size for sure, BUT.....you need to be doing music that a kit that size can fit into.
Drum kits are weird in that if it's there, I just may hit it, so, a small kit IS the way to go because likely, everything you need to do is right there....and then some.
But after that time, I just stopped liking the look of two Rack/one floor kits.
It seemed boring to look at.
but these taste things all come around again.......but I don't think I'll ever run that "2-n-1" again.
For ever now, I've used just 1 rack and 1 floor....except with Matt, because when we play, it's really big, and I like to double up on the floor tom action now and again.
Occasionally I seem to channel the huge tom fills from playing those old time Adams Ballads.
Dave Grohl........He IS the SHIT!!!!

Ok, my friend has got Blueberry Crepes waiting for me and I want to do this, so........

Mike, My R&B thing is Called Sharkskin, go to Craig Northey
and see about ordering it online!
That is a band we started because of a desire to learn and play these things that happened 35-40 yrs. ago.
Man, buy a copy of "Booker T and Tuhe M G's" greatest hits, and learn 1 or 2 song EXACTLY like the record.
I did and it was the best drumm/music lesson I'd ever had.
Back then they played really light and often with the left hand holding the stick in what is called "Traditional" grip.
I never learned how to do this, but when I play brushes or lighter funk/R&B I try to make it work.
So, playing light is the way in this band, and it has some serious benfits to it.
Play the groove from James Brown's SEX MACHINE with no fills at all......for 10 minutes!

Thanks Jason.....From Ottawa?
Rob.....Ditto.
Peter, Remind me of your request later and I could have another balog on that too.

Carla, thanks for the i/o support......"Ryan, this is for you too!"
I think that is one of the most natural sounding recordings I've made.
By this I mean no effects on the kit at all......there might be a tiny bit of compression, but no Delay/Reverb etc.
It was nominated last month for an engineering JUNO!

Coach!
You rule too.
Had a scotch last night!
Woooo.

Pancake time, got to run now.
Tahnks again all.

Pat

My Favourite Producers

2005-04-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what to say about who my favourite producer to work with is, so I'll say that there are a bunch!

In 1984 I worked with Bob Clearmountain and Bryan Adams.
This was amazing.
Firstly, in the 1980's,Bob was one of the Best Engineers around and Bryan, his equivalent in the writing/performer category.
So for me, at 22 to be working with these guys......I honestly couldn't believe it!
This was my first experience with a Real producer and Bob being such a down to earth and respectful guy, made it easier for me to relax and get to matters at hand.
Most "Big Rock"sounds of today (Bob Rock for certain) owe a lot and borrowed a lot from the Clearmountain idea of kick ass Drum sounds!

Everyone took that idea, which was inspired by and loosely based around the way The Zeppelin albums sounded, drum wise.
No one was doing what Bob was at the time.
He had Bryan run down to the street, put up a mic and slam the huge garbage containers out in the alley and double that with the already massive Snare and Floor toms of what Mickey Curry had played.
Adam's "Reckless" is still a great rock record with good vibe, energy , and great Guitar and Drum sounds.
Of course there are effects on there that you just won't be using today, but watch it all comes around again!
You watch,It always does.
Back then and still now, when you're driving and "Somebody" comes on the radio, it kicks.
And if you wonder why the "Start Me Up"-(The Rolling Stones), guitar sounds so good....Bob.

Bob was always catching whatever was going down to "Tape".
One great thing for me was when you played a take and came back into the control room, the sounds were sooooooo good.
and that's how it stayed.
when you heard the finished product that same sound was what the whole track was built around, it was awesome!
This most certainly spoiled me because a few years later when I started doing sessions around town, people didn't know how to make it sound that good during playback and they'd often say things like"oh, after I put some reverb on it, it'll kickass"
SORRY.
WRONG.
If it ain't there at recording, then it isn't gonna be there ,no matter how much reverb you pile on there

We did a bit of Pre-Production for the 3 songs I worked on(Summer of '69;The Kids Wanna Rock;One Night Love Affair) and it was a real bonus to work ideas I had off of these guys.
Basically, as a composer of drum parts, I was trying figure what parts worked best and why, so when I asked Bryan or Bob about some of this they usually said that most of what I was doing worked for them, so this was a confirmation for me that what my gut feelings were, were right.

Warne Livesey is the next big Producer I've worked with.
In the 80's,I was and still am ,a big fan of Midnight Oil.
Deisel and Dust is one of the alltime great records.
When Matt Asked me to work on Avalanche with him, I was stoked.
Then one day while shopping, I get a call from Warne asking about certain types of gear that he'd like me to bring to the session.
This was so cool.
Once we started recording songs, Warne was supportive in what I was bringing and would mention slight changes in a Bass Drum pattern or something that will help out the song.
I found the sounds that Warne was getting to be inspiring and this in turn would transfer into how I would perform.
Because this was a bit of a different kind of record for Matt, I think they both wanted me to be comfortable and just go for it and try some things the they hadn't before.

Like Bryan, Matt's songs are fairly complete and there is not a lot of guessing of what I should play, or how go from one section to the next.
This means that I can show up and do what I think is right for the song and also comfortably give the track what kind of energy Matt wants.
I find the we are both on the same page musically for the most part.
I think of Warne as one of the great producers who continues to work with interesting bands and artists.

I was at one time involved with a band called Odds, and these records were primarily self produced.
When I came into the band on the 3rd CD, "Good, Weird Feeling", a woman named Susan Rodgers was the Engineer.
She was awesome.
Her dog GINA, the Boston Terrier is sampled and played at the opening of the 2nd track on this CD.
She had worked with Prince and a slew of early nineties bands, so she had some great wisdom to share with all of us.
There was a point where I thought I was just not getting it, but when she told me of the countless times big name drummers tracks were erased and another person was brought in, this was an eye opener.
Basically, we're all just people with some talent and a desire to make great music, and sometimes it's more challenging than others.
Our last CD "NEST" was totally produced by us with the great Blair Calibbaba manning the Engineering duties.

I still do a lot of work with Craig Northey, one of the principal Singer/Guitarist and writers of Odds.
We have a side project band, Sharkskin......instrumental R&B and ,we do a few records a year with things he has co-written with others.
As a great writer he is also a good producer and an organizer of what needs to happen and how to make it happen ( on a shoestring budget sometimes).
These things are always done with Odds Bassist and great friend, Doug Elliott.

Oh, and Ryan Dahle!
Now there's a cat.
We worked together for a year or so, did some shows(Doug on Bass at that time), worked on songs and then I left him to play with Matt.......(at his suggestion I think).
Thanks again Rye (&coke)
Ryan called me again after the Avalanche tour and asked me to come and record what would become i/o, Limblifter's latest CD.
This was a great experience too.
As I had pplayed on at least 1/2 of the Demos, it was easy to copy what Ryan wanted.
He wanted specific things and minimal cymbals.
In fact, at one point we had to shut down the cymbal world down completely, but luckily, he let me bring it all back!
But working like that is really a cool challenge, because when people realise you can do things they suggest, they keep throwing things at you!
Hahaha.
Sometimes what they're throwing is, just do one thing the whole way through and that's the toughest.
But also, the songs we were recording were a blast play and interestingly different.

I often think back to the recording sessions of my past to inspire ideas and I thank these kinds of people for giving me some excellent opportunities.

Cheers,

Pat

No News Is NOT Good News.

2005-04-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I had words with some pro Blogheads today and they just don't hear me when I say "No news is good news".
what I'm talking about of course, is my lack of updating on this blog.
At first I thought I should wait a few days between postings and let some things actually happen, but that has turned into "Pat, you havn't posted for , like, a week and a half? What gives man ?"
Yes, it has been that long.
I have been keeping up with this world though by reading other blogs.....but still not enough chairman postings..apparently.

OK...Last week we rocked fuckin' hard, PROUD and fast at what may soon become a mythological event:
"THE OUTDOOR ROCK SHOW".
In Particular, the ARTS COUNTY FAIR.
I say Mythological because if people don't start figuring out how to handle it in public ,it's going to end.
Lot's of people don't even go to these things because of the idiots they encounter.
"yeah, some Drunk guys and their girlfriends wanted to fight us for being in front of them."
Mmmmmmm....that's good times.
Sounds dumb right!
That's because it is dumb.

The Molson Beer commercial I just saw sums it up.
"It All Starts Here"-Molson

Sure, have some beer.
I myself LOVE ice cold beer.(Never A Molson!) and enjoy getting together with people to have some drinks, a good time and maybe see some music too.
But nowhere is it written that in order to have a "Wicked fuckin' good time" you HAVE to drink enough beer to make you puke.
If you're hammered and feel like you want to throw shit at the band......LEAVE.
If someone has fallen in the middle of some mosh zone where you are......Help them out!
One day it might be you or a friend or a member of your family in that band or lying in a puddle of mud unconcious for 6 songs.
Having fun is to do so not at the expense of others in your immediate vicinity and to respect those around you who are also having fun.
Pretty easy really, don't you think?
It's about RESPECT and MORALS.
I don't know what it is with some people that when they get really into a band, they have to throw stuff at them.
"Man, you guys are awesome, you RAWWWK!"
"Here, I love you guys.....so have my shoe/Wrench/Beer Can/House keys/.............
I've seen a ton of shows and not once Did I want to throw things at the guys up there rocking out for me.

Much has been said good and bad about this event held at UBC in Vancouver.
What I can say is I had some good fun playing those songs live with Matt, Ryan and Meegee.
We spent 14 days rockin' out, getting ready to have a great time and a good show.....hopefully.
That's what Rock shows are all about.....having fun.
Outdoors, good weather, Rock-n-Roll, good people, goodtimes.

I was thinking about how much money the Students, the Campus and some Mums and Dads spent on that show.
Too Bad.
I don't know the total costs at all, but I know it must be around $60,000 just to have five bands come and play.....plus the fees for security, site rental, food etc.
What a waste.

Why not just have a piss-up in the field and hire a DJ.......But put him in a bubble as he'll likely get a shoe or Crescent Wrench thrown at him if he plays a song some hammered guy doesn't like.

Sweet 70's guitar rock !

2005-04-07T02:59:00.000-07:00

Hi.
Tonight After MG rehearsals, I received a call from my friend George/Drummer with Montreal band "The Dears".
They were in town to play the last show of a 3 week run opening up for Swedish rockers "The Soundtrack Of Our Lives".
It seems that since we last hung out, the've been to Europe, England, Australia and lots of the USA.
Good to hear about this kind of travel and spreading of the word.
Good music needs no borders or fuckin' BS about not having had a "HIT" in that market, so you can't go there.
BORRRRRRRRRRING!!!

\What George forgot to tell me was to get there early and NOT to miss "American Minor".
These guys were awesome to see and hear!
I think it may be another one of these "The live show is much more than the CD".
They're a bunch of young rockers from West Virginia.
Nice guys who may have been affected by the Canadian Beer potency after their show.
Way too many laughs after the whole show at the Commodore.

Anyway, THE DEARS were just amazing............more than when I last saw them as opener for MG in 2003.
They have a new guitarist named Patrick.
He has brought a high energy thing to the the whole picture.
Murray was even better sounding than last time.
The Fender Jazz Master was ripping a s usual, but now there are dual leads with Patrick in there.
Wooo.
Murray was playing an acioustic for afew tunes as well.
But man, is he ever a great singer!!
Soulfull for sure.
There were new things from their latest CD and newer, unrecorded songs as well.
I'd forgotten how great their songs are...........I'll be listening to the CD again soon.....I only have 1, their last one, No Cities Left .
Marten, Bassist was also on fire.
George is THE SHIT!!!!
I love this guy's playing.
When you hear him live, his playing IS that same sound all over Sam Robert's "We Were Born In A Flame"(The best CD of last year, for me ).
Can't say enough!
He just goes for it sll the time and, he seems to have a great connection with what Murray wants to do.
Natalie and Valerie are always enchanting and mysterious as I can't always tell who's playing what, but they are an interesting contrast to the maniacal energy that's going on accross the satge with the Fellas.

OK, now, the Soundtrack Of Our Lives were also great.
A real interesting love for and preoccupation with 70's rockstylistry , rocker poses and Chuck Berry Riffing!
But, I was catching up with peoples lives and mostly heard it from the back room where the Dears taught many how to really party Canadian style........I became scared!
Thanks for the entertainment all of you/them!

Pat

Playing catch up

2005-04-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well, last week was a full on assault of rock for sure.
I spent a week rehearsing up tunes old and new with Matt Good and the Newies Missy Meegan and Ryan ,for a big show next Friday in Vancouver.
The Arts County Fair @ UBC .

As is a bit of the norm with the music world, we had originally had these rehearsal dates set and in the open holes of the calender I filled in with some other things I like to do.
But then the schedule moved ahead by a week and I ended up doing both the rehearsals and another couple of SHOWS playing music with Calgary Artist Wil.
Some of you MG fans might have seen Wil last summer when we had Wil open up 6 weeks of shows with us.
So, last Friday after we finished in MG land, I boarded a Westjet flight to Calgary.

*It needs to be said that Westjet, though inexpensive for travel, always presents you with a penalty for being there: the #*!% ing singing of Barney type songs and the jokes.
Yes you heard right. Jokes.
Hmmmmm, I always thought air travel would be about safety first.
Oh and occasional Flirting over the P A ala Friends or Sex in the Shitty.
All Highly unneccessary for the underslept ROCKER/Traveler.
(Travelers Rant)

SO I go to Calgary and Rock out with Wil at a great little bar called Crash City.
There were lots of cool people and one Drunk who almost earned himself a Blundstone to the body!
We rocked the place.
Some nice MG fans were there too, so I filled them in a bit on the goings on of our rocking quartet back in Vancouver.
The next morning, up too early and off to Edmonton for another good night of the duo that is Wil.
The place we we played at is called the Side Track Cafe.
A Packed house and more improvisations by me.
Music gets so exciting that sometimes I have to take a left turn from the normal arrangement to see where it can go this time.

At 3:00 am we remembered that it was put your clocks forward night, so, instead of 5hrs. of sleep, I got 4!
Up and back on the "Singing Airline" this morning to arrive back in Vancouver, Heuvos Rancheros, pick up Meegee and head back to Matt's rehearsal.
Things still sounding 10% better each day.
Wooooooooooo.

So, in an effort too keep up my end of the bargain and "Get on your Blog Pat, man, you gotta keep up on that!" I got on the damn thing, only to find that Ryan called to say lets go rock more tonight......well, I missed that call didn't I.
Sometimes I just gotta turn off the phone and chill......and BLOGG!

Daily Tidbit Pt 2

2005-03-31T01:40:00.000-08:00

OK.
The "Incredibles" was thouroughly entertainig and hilarious.
Meegs Ryan and I ate mucho popcorn.....Matt phoned in to keep us up on how much fun he was having making my blog up and would I hurry up and answer the people.
Apparently, he says, I may be fined and avoided if I don't stop with my not answering Bullshit.
Well, I see lots of you out there are keeping your heads glued to the the keyboard.
Good.
Over here at Chairman headquarters we move a little like a psychadelic light show, so keep some food onhand while we/I get back to you all.

Well, as promised, an update on the rocking.
It's fuckin' good!.......(Matt, can we swear in here.?)

Ryan has good time and makes the music a good time.
So, win-win.

Meegee makes Ryan play in time with her magic Basser ways.....and she keeps making us lunch stuff too.

Matt generally plays good I find, and this time out he's got some new RED toy he seems to be loving.

So, for me, it's going good because theseguys don't suck and that makes me happy and hit my head, fingers,arms and whatever else is in the way of flying Drum sticks.........oh and Double Kicks now too!
Buddy Rich Style.

Today we tried to pretend we were Joy Division on holiday in New Mexico, no synths though.
Ryan and I partied hard at Home Depot after and got some new treat for the rest of the band.

OK.....This is boring I'm sure and I'm tired.
Nighty Night.

Pat

Daily Tidbit part 1

2005-03-27T20:55:00.000-08:00

Hi.
........Is this thing on ?
Check 1, 2....?
Uh hem,
I am alive it just took me a while to figure this out.
This is a general response to you 11 people who wrote in with some questions.
Matt, thanks for the help with this.
Now you can rest knowing I 've finally posted.

I think it's been 30 years of playing the Drums.......it all started with a little record by Bad Company, and many bands of those 70's days....and a lot of John Bonham.
You know, you can't just have 3 faves.......there's too many.
Stewart Copeland,Keith Moon,Mitch Mitchell(Spanish Castle Magic!)Tony Williams,Steve Gadd,Terry Bozzio, Neil Peart,Ringo,Dave Grohl,Bill Ward,Ian Paice,Chris Layton,Bill Bruford,Phill Rudd!!

I've noticed that so many of the great recordings and performances, whether in Rock, Pop, Blues or Jazz were made in the years 1965-69.
Miles Davis or The Beach Boys Any Bossa Nova Recording. The Beatles or Mowtown or STAX.
It ALL has amazing feel and tones.
I tink this is the glory period of modern recording.

Stay tuned for the next installment about how wicked the rocking has been for the last 3 days with MG , Meegee and Ryan.

Time to go now and watch "The Incredibles".

Pat

2005-03-26T00:51:00.000-08:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Welcome

2005-03-25T18:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the blog of drummer Pat Steward. I will performing with Matthew Good at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium on April 8th, 2005, as a part of Arts County Fair.

Pat will also be performing a couple of shows withWil

April 9th U of Victoria in the SUB
April 10th Whistler, BC @ the World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Merlins Pub
Mon, 11 Apr The Railway Club Vancouver BC