Under Covers: Digging For Something by Superchunk

I'm super excited that Superchunk is touring this summer that I'm planning a Super-Superchunk Weekend where I'll catch them playing in Atlanta, Asheville, and in their hometown at the famous Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC. I also wanted to do another song for the Under Covers project so why not some more Superchunk? Here's my cover of "Digging For Something" from their 2010 album Majesty Shredding.

Made In Boston

This week my posting for the Musica Cronica: Made In America series comes earlier than usual. This is a small tribute to one great city.

Musica Cronica: Made In America: Boston:

Musica Cronica: Made In America - The Lovely Bad Things

My latest post for Musica Cronica: Made In America - The Lovely Bad Things

Made In America: Parquet Courts

Here's my latest post to Musica Cronica's "Made In America" series: Parquet Courts

Musica Cronica: Made In America - Low Culture

My latest post to Musica Cronica's "Made In America" series: Low Culture

Here

Musica Cronica: Made In America

Last week I made my first blog post for Spain's Musica Cronica - Made In America section. Musica Cronica is a spanish language music blog based in Catalonia and run by +David Monserrat Montagut . I'm still not entirely clear on how this all came to frutition but, in a nutshell, David and I became friends on Facebook as fans of Yo La Tengo. Around the same time David was launching Musica Cronica and was looking for a way to introduce up and coming North American bands to his readers and he approched me to do this. I was hessitant at first, although I've kept a personal blog for a number of years which I rarely post to, I am not a writer, I am just a passionate fan of music. I am also the king of double-negatives and run-on sentences and I rely an embarassing amount on grammar and spell check. I don't even know if that last sentence was grammatically correct.


With the majority of my Facebook posts being music related maybe David saw something in me that I didn't but he convinced me to give writing for Musica Cronica a shot. I made my second "Made In America" post today and so far it's been exciting and new, yes, on a Loveboat level, and I'd like to stick with it and see what happens next. Right now all of my research is internet based, basically regurgitating what has already been written and then adding my own personal feelings on the music. Maybe one day I can start interviewing these bands one on one, now that would be cool.

My first post on the Musica Cronica site: Made In America - SXSW: Wildcat! Wildcat! and Bleached The latest: Musica Cronica: Made In America - Waxahatchee

New Song: Paper Lanterns

New song! Paper Lanterns has been sitting around collecting dust for the past decade or so. I wrote the lyrics and the main guitar riff while I living in Memphis but never tried to do anything with it until last night. It strangely kept popping up on my iPod several times over the past month and I started thinking about doing something with it. So I got home yesterday evening from Atlanta and dusted off the old SG Standard, Fender Base, a mic, and the M-Audio Axiom 25 and Shazam! A tune.

Under Covers: Nobody by The Replacements

Here's another song/vid for Under Covers. This is Nobody by The Replacements off of the album All Shook Down. I'm home for the weekend and we got a little snow today so knowing the potential for some people in the Southeast to lose their fucking minds when there's snow in the forecast I thought it better that I stay put. I've also been on a big Replacements kick lately. I never knew how much I loved this band until I started going through their catalogue again, Paul Westerberg is such a brilliant songwriter. I also recently scored a sweet copy of their album Boink! on vinyl and this all just inspired me to play a little.

Under Covers: Still Be Around by Uncle Tupelo

Another Under Covers song, this is Still Be Around by Uncle Tupelo from the album Still Feel Gone. Sorry for the ridiculous facial expressions towards the end of the song, I was in the zone.

Under Covers: Abel by The National

I wanted to squeeze another Under Covers video in before the end of the year, there, 2011 resolution complete. This is Abel by The National off of their album Alligator. I'm a late comer to The National having only gotten into the band over the last year or so. I came by Abel while skimming over a 2006 Pitchfork Music Fest compilation. Passionate and powerful, hearing vocalist Matt Berninger belting "my minds not right" at the opening to Abel got me instantly.

Under Covers: Hooplas Involving Circus Tricks by Say Hi

Another one for the Under Covers project and my first shot at video! Hooplas Involving Circus Tricks is a song by Say Hi, formerly Say Hi To Your Mom. Eric Elbogen, who performs solo as Say Hi when Say Hi is not a full band has nice case of infectious indie pop sensibility and has seven sweet albums under his belt to prove so. "Hooplas" is one of my faves.

One From The Vault - Burn Of The Century

Here's one from the vault circa early 2000's, shortly after The Publishers Clearing House Five days and at the beginning of the Some Herd Antics era. I was living in Memphis at the time and writing and playing every night. Preparing myself, but not really, for a not-a-snowball's-chance-in-hell shot at making music. Really, I was in the middle of reeling from a break up and riding the wave of a creative streak born out of it but hey, we have to get our inspiration from somewhere don't we? Ironically, or not, Burn Of The Century is not a break up song, or maybe it is, who the hell am I to decide? Anyway, enjoy this song, which has no production and is barely in tune or tempo, that I lazily dug out of the trash bin in an half-hearted effort to continue to update this blog and to show at least 13 of you that I am somewhat cool.

I am not proud.



BURN OF THE CENTURY

Suni was a little boy
Who lived a life of little joy
But couldn't seem to act his age
When little girls were all the rage
They told him "That's the way it goes"
It seems that no one really knows
Determined not to loose his face
He buttoned up his uniform and kept from running away

Suni was out on his way
He couldn't pick a better day
For fisticuffs with other boys
He numbed his wits with Novocaine
He could've got the best of them
He fought with every one of them
But bully's fights are all the same
They wrapped their fists in cellophane to keep from running way

Now this boy is old and gray
Reflecting on his younger days
Goes through a list of all the names
'Cause little boys are all the same
He couldn't get the best of them
He fought with every one of them
He couldn't let the days wear thin
And now those boys are all but dead
To keep from running away
To keep from running away
To keep from running away

©2003ish Fish Egg Music

Under Covers: "June Hymn" by The Decemberists

"Here's a hymn to welcome in the day." That's the opening line to June Hymn by The Decemberists. It's a song I've been listening to almost incessantly since their new album came out in the last month or so. It's one of those songs that just grabs hold of you, evokes emotion, conjures up feelings of nostalgia and refuses to let go. A perfect summer song, it's quite beautiful, certain to be a campfire staple. I've been playing it on and off all day, trying to learn the music and remember the lyrics. That's part of the reason why it's almost 2:00 am and I'm just now posting this. It's also song number three for my Under Covers project. Yeah I know, "Isn't that your cover songs project you started over a year ago and were supposed to update monthly?" Yes it is. Shut it.


JUNE HYMN by The Decemberists

A Goodbye To An Old Friend

When Hannah first came home around 14 years ago, I remember thinking to myself “One day this girl will break my heart.” I never really thought that of another pet, to know that you will probably outlive them, and until about a year ago I never really thought about what it would be like to have to say goodbye or whether I would know when it was time.

Well, as the years crept up on her and she was slowed by the periodic seizure and failing hips, without fail she still knew that when the leash came out it was time to go for a walk and with the jingle of the car keys it was road trip time. Even as the walks became slower and shorter and she needed the occasional boost into the car, she was always ready to go. And during those times when I needed her, with the wag of her tail or a wet nudge from her nose she always seemed to know that right words to say and they always came at the right time.

So how do you know when it’s time? You just do, and with a good cry into her soft coat, a final kiss on her nose, and her long time stuffed companion Lionel by her side, I watched her drift into a final peaceful sleep.

There have never been more truthful lessons to be learned from dogs than to seize the moment and to appreciate our friends and to occasionally nudge your way under someone's hand for a nice scratch behind the ears.

Goodbye Hannah Barbera, good girl.

New Song: Days Of Autumn

A new season is amongst us and so is a new song! Yeehaw!!! Please forgive the ruckus, I haven't recorded a new tune in some time so I'm a bit elated. With the cooler evening temperatures and overcast days, last weekend's weather put me in a mood to write, something I find I do less and less of these days. I started noodling around with Days Of Autumn a couple of weeks ago but really got into it over the weekend between finishing construction on a platform bed and unpacking at la nueva casa. I'm also playing caretaker for a 13 year old golden retriever whose age is really starting to catch up with her, there's some heartache coming, I just know it.

I also proudly received my first rock n' roll related injury this weekend. A mother of a blister on my finger from playing bass, and it smarted like a mofo. That's right, you guys know someone who is that hardcore. Ozzy, The Who, and me.

So have a listen and please leave a comment, good or bad, it will make me a better person, and you want me to be a better person now don't you? Good.


DAYS OF AUTUMN

I suppose that this is how it’s meant to be, the turning of the leaves
We just throw ourselves in piles on the ground, a gift beneath the trees
The last sun will set for summers all around, the memories we’ll keep
Then we'll turn the dials on the radio and sing ourselves to sleep

Will I be long forgotten?
Through the days of autumn
and where will you be?

The morning brings the time we hate the most, as we pack up all our clothes
And the frigid air that rolls in from the coast brings a chill that numbs the nose
A final walk down paths reveals the sea, and our coats are buttoned tight
To find ourselves in cities far apart we will travel through the night

Will I be long forgotten?
Through the days of autumn
Where will you be?

Will I be long forgotten?
Through the days of autumn
and where will you be?
and where will you be?
and where will you be?
and where will you be?

©2010 Fish Egg Music

Under Covers: "Say Yes" by Elliott Smith

SAY YES by Elliott Smith

Hey look at this! A second song for the Under Covers project which has only been going on for a little over a year now. I know, I know, slow down Dave, you're gonna burn yourself out. I get it, assholes.

It's been a busy Labor Day weekend for me. I built a bed, yes a bed. I imagined it, I designed it, I drew it up and then I built it, and it actually looks good. I only lost my temper and put drunken sailors to shame four or five times but I did it and I must say, I'm pretty proud, bloody knuckles and all. Pics are up on the Facebook page if anyone wants to stare slack jawed and/or hyena laugh.

I also changed up the Blog a bit with a new title and layout. Gone are the days of "Words-Music-Pictures-Life", which always sounded a bit pretentious, and I now bring you "Bears Do It, Fish Do It...". You're gonna have to figure that one out, I can't do everything for you. Hopefully I'll be posting regularly for my, hmm let's see, eleven followers. New goal, twelve followers.

I don't have a whole lot to say about Elliott Smith's "Say Yes" only that it's one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists. There's really nothing special in my version of it, just me and the acoustic, recorded on an old M-Audio Microtrack. I didn't tune my guitar down like Smith did (I'm too lazy) so for those of you in the know, it'll be in another key. Also, by not tuning down, certain parts of the song are a bit out of my vocal range which you'll be able to hear. Until next time minions.

Old Song, New Post, Blah Blah

It's been a while since I've posted a new song. I am writing though, just haven't been recording lately. This working out of town business is seriously cramping my style. Thankfully it'll soon be over and I'll be back in my own place where I can be as loud and obnoxious as I want to. Fuck YEAHHHHHH!

So you're wondering what I've been listening too lately huh? Sure you have, admit it. Fall is upon us and that means Halloween is creeping up too (pun bitches). So if you're hankering for some music that will get you into a Halloweenie type mood then pick up Dead Man's Bones by Dead Man's Bones. The album came out last fall but I'm just getting around to discovering it (so sue me, who the hell are you?) For me, Pa Pa Power and My Body's a Zombie For You are the standouts but the whole album is worth a few listens. Bonus tidbit? Half of Dead Man's Bones is Academy Award-nominated actor Ryan Gosling. Who would've thunk it?

Anyhoo, I'm trying out a new file server so I'm just going to post an old song with lyrics from back in the Memphis days. Your Only Ghost has been up on another music site I have but I've never posted it to Blogger so here goes and hopefully I'll get some new stuff up soon.

YOUR ONLY GHOST

I've got this feeling or this hunger only you'll never know
From broken pieces of the silhouette of your only ghost
Sixteen long hours on this aeroplane with nothing to lose
Remembering all the silly things that we used to do
Like making patterns of paper plates that no one would see
Of families larger than anything we were hoping to be
All strung together with the notion that nobody would leave
Then holding hands with the fantasy of what we wouldn't be
Then making funny impressions of people we'd never meet
All while cooking conspiracies of the greatest of cheats
Then pouring water over body parts with cascading ease
Then watching each other fall apart in the deepest of sleeps
I've got this feeling or this hunger only you'll never know
From broken pieces of the silhouette of your only ghost

©2004 Fish Egg Music

New Song: Off My Mind

What is this? A new song in less than a month? I know, I'm dumbfounded too. "Off My Mind" is just one of those songs where the inspiration, melody, and lyrics just hit all at once. I began writing the lyrics a couple of days ago after reminiscing about a recent trip I took to Boston. Originally this song was going to be a rather dour tune with just me and the acoustic but a new melody for it just happened to pop in my head yesterday, which made for a more upbeat ditty, and everything else just fell into place. I wish they all would do that. I spent the meatier part of the day working on this, taking breaks only for sustenance and to watch "Year One" at the theater, don't bother, trust me. I am quite surprised, and proud, of myself for finishing this in the same day, usually I get tired, bored, or just flake out until the next day or so. As usual I'd love to hear some feedback. Peace! No really, peace.

OFF MY MIND

On a train to Rhode Island it’s just one of many that divides us
Just to keep you from driving from the coast up to the termini
On a wait at the station was it Saturday or was it Sunday?
I’ve got time to wander so it doesn’t seem to bother me

Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
But it’s never, never, never seems to work, and it’ll never work this time

On a walk through the flowers we’re not k-i-s-s-i-n-g
We’ve got time to talk aloud it doesn’t seem to bother me
There’s a green grass table top, no use in chasing kites from trees
As your hands form a cup around your face I sit and watch you sneeze

Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
But it’s never, never, never seems to work, and it’ll never work this time

Now its back to the station, patrons wait, I ask how much it cost them
It feels like now we’re strangers and I hate this overcoming me
So I’m not so lost when huddled on that train ride back to Boston
Just to keep you from driving from the coast up to the termini

Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
Is it all right if I get you off my mind?
But it’s never, never, never seems to work, and it’ll never work this time

©2009 Fish Egg Music

Poignant Lyric O' The Day:

"She probably drinks a glass a beer a thousand miles away from here
Or maybe she is underneath the sea
One, two, three, so easily"

~Bill Janovitz and Crown Victoria - "One, Two, Three"

New music coming soon, promise.

New Song: Angry As Me

I know I know, it's only been a month and a half but finally there's a new tune to shake your booties to. It's called Angry As Me and for me, it's a welcome departure from the singer/songwriter stuff I usually do. I'm getting back to some rock! Now for the usual schpeal; not the best mix but I'd like to think that I am improving a little with each new song. I'll tell you one thing, doing everything by yourself sucks the right ball but someone's gotta do it. So, please have a listen, leave a comment if you wish, I'd love to know what everyone thinks. Thanks! Dave

ANGRY AS ME

We both know
that through suffering we grow
don’t forget about
all the bullets, fights, and chains
but remember how
how their words ignite a flame in you

We both know
We have different ways to grow
and remembering
how you burned yourself a photo in effigy
how your good at burning bridges too

You stood for a dramatic pause
Then made a sacrifice to further your own cause
You have all of that but you will never be as angry as me

We both know
how you go against the flow
of what daddy said
how you drones in social circles are bottle fed
how the bottle gets the best of you

And we both know
how we push ourselves and think
we can turn it around
but through all that mess we might have found
that we can turn it into something new

And when I get political
You get excited 'cause the politics excite you
You are all of that but you will never be as angry as me

It was no occurrence to me that I'd be sick of complaining
'Cause intellectually I don't understand your conveyance
So come on over and whisper to me what you're saying, oh but that's ok
'Cause I'm sure I'll see you somewhere at the protest rally tonight

'Cause when I get philosophical
We get divided because philosophy divides us
We are all of that but you will never be as angry as me
You will never be as angry as me
You will never be as angry hey!
You will never be as angry hey!
©2009 Fish Egg Music