Release 10/31/13

After a summer of loud tunes, drama with the band Revival, and a much needed vacation to Nashville & the Smokies, we are finally ready to release my 4th solo album. It is a very different album in every way. Above the Snakeline is a CD two years in the making. It has developed and evolved out of a 24 song writing binge ala the power of the Holy Ghost. The album is a mixture of rock, world, electronic, and Christian themes resulting in a sonically diverse explosion of rhythms and textures. I'm really excited about this release as it is a departure from the direction of past works. Hey, if you don't continually change and grow musically, you become like the cheesy pop rock template music garbage that keeps me changing radio stations. Yes, Christian bands are frightfully like this as well. How many times do we have to hear lyrical cliches repeated over and over? (Hands & feet, city on a hill, Yadda Yadda)... Or a chorus of "whoa" over a chorus filled with toms and U2 ripoff riffs? Just food for thought. Some of us are still hungry. Hungry for something creative that can still praise GOD.

The inspiration and direction of this album was divinely inspired. I can't really take credit for it. Well, maybe on writing it down and recording it. I found myself playing certain parts of songs back and wondering how I recorded them. It seems like a weird cheesy thing to say but it's true actually. Everything seemed to move with the Spirit on these 10 songs. I'm thankful to GOD for the opportunity to be used in this way. Maybe some of these songs might be heard by someone that really needs to hear them. I don't know, but I do hope that people really enjoy them and rock out with positive encouraging messages. I know that the words speak to me when I really need to hear them.

Snakes & Ladders

 Above the Snakeline has been through the final mix. We are currently working with a mastering studio. A lot of work went into this particular album.... About 2 years of experimentation & recording. The album started with an intense visit by the Holy Spirit which resulted in a writing streak of 24 songs. In the end, 10 were selected for this album. One tune actually didn't make the cut for the Between the Sun & the Moon CD, but was revamped and reimagined for this project. 

I'll have to say that this is the most adventurous project to date.  I've been working on a country demo as well, which is a complete departure from anything I've been involved in before. That demo may be released in 2014. 

In Revival news, two founding members have left the band unexpectedly. I am not sure of the reason but it really left the rest of us hangin with an important show next weekend. Revival 2.0 practiced last night and still kicked out the jams acoustically. We are playing a closed door event but it will be a great chance to witness in front of some troubled teens. It's like our Christian rock version of Fulsom Prison if you will. Looking forward to it and playing with people focused on rockin in the name of The Lord. 

Above the Snakeline is scheduled for release in October 2013!

The Mission

We arrived at 6 Flags Great America on the morning of July 27th. After passing the security checkpoint we were allowed to park under the ----. The stage was unusual and cool as it was surrounded by old Spanish mission type architecture. Ironically the newly formed Christian band Revival was playing a stage called “The Mission Stage”. We were wondering how we would be received at a totally secular venue playing for five hours on the half hour. Turns out that people really dug it. We saw people jamming out, hands lifted, and even a few tears. Lot’s of spirit and emotion was flowing that day. Two of my new songs were also played from the upcoming Above the Snakeline CD. Revolve & Sacred Space are sounding good in the final mix and also take on a new vibe with a live band. As far as the CD goes, I recently sang the vocals to the final song Light of Love and assisted Dave Merrill of TBK with the finished production. Looks like we are ready for mastering!

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Country, Bluegrass, and a little Guinness on the side

And now for something really different.... In between shows and mixing the Above the Snakeline CD, which is near completion and sounding great, I decided to do something way

off the beaten path... at least for me. I'm currently writing and recording a country music demo with some really old school flavors and bluegrass harmonies. It's been brewing up like a Tennessee still for the last few years and it's potency is just about right. Yeah, you heard right. Not only working on the inner goth, Christian musician, composer thing, but adding good ol boy to the list. This is not a new direction mind you, but it is a hoot writing and recording this demo. I get to use my steel guitar, mandolin, and some nice Telecaster tones on this crazy experiment. The demo will probably consist of 7 songs and I'm really looking forward to arranging and recording a song that my wife wrote about Dublin. Yep, a country song about the land of Guinness. It's a clever tune but I can't say much about it quite yet. More news to come....

6 Flags 9 Sticks

Revival got off to a roaring start at Camp Spirit, an overnight camping and music event put on by Spirit Alive Church in Kenosha, WI. This hot and sunny July afternoon was filled with loud harmonic praise. We tore into 'Let the Praises Ring' by Lincoln Brewster, 'Search my Heart' by Hillsong United, and 'When the Stars Burn Down' by Phillips Craig & Dean. We played a new song from the soon to be released Above the Snakeline CD as well. We will be playing another new song from that album at our Six Flags show. I played these songs live a few weeks ago in more of a techno vibe but it was interesting to hear a more organic version. July 27, 2013 Revival plays Six Flags Great America.... for five hours....  

Bloomin Bands 2013

The Bloomin Bands Festival was held on a sunny warm and stormy weekend.The rain was gone by afternoon on both days and a breeze was blowing off of Lake Michigan. Tim Korry and Co. took the stage on Friday night in perfect weather. The show went off pretty well despite the sound guy not understanding my guitar amp. The techno/dance sound mixed well with the guitar rock that I'm used to playing. We had a positive response from the crowd as we debuted the new songs from the upcoming Above the Snakeline CD. Filming the show was my good friend Steve Tomczyk of Avxtra and WAMI. Another friend, Brad Trick of Trick Photography, did a great job on the photos.
We had a cool and unusual compliment on one of the new songs. A guy walked up to the person at our merchandise table and talked about being hit by a train. He said that 'Amazing Grace' was his favorite song, or his "theme song". He said that the last song we played, 'Show me a Sign', was his second favorite. That's pretty wild and cool stuff. I plan on sending him a copy of the song before the CD is officially released. The main riff in this song was actually written when I was in Rhinocerotic back in the mid 90's. It finally made it's way to a full song this year on the upcoming 'Snakeline' CD. 'Show me a Sign' is actually one of the last songs I delivered to Dave Merrill for final mixing and production.
The Revival show on the next day went well despite the sound difficulties with amps and monitors. The overall feedback was great. Revival plays a small church camp and then off to 6 Flags Great America on July 27th!

The Sequence

When I say musical adventures.. I'm saying that things don't always go as planned. We have gone through 3 bass players and one drummer as the show nears. Tim Korry & Co. will be going techno/rock for this show. Sequences have been finalized and we are sorting out minor bits with the stage manager. I believe that there are some big changes in the set and the sound coming after this appearance. It's time to reenvision the vision. I know that the Lord has a plan but I don't know what it is. It seems that everything changes so often that it gets hard to focus. I can say this... the Above the Snakeline album will be released in late July or early August and I think that people will be suprised with the new sound. Definitely looking forward to this one!