Nov 22, 2007
almost done. At least over the half way point which is a good feeling. Really gearing up to get back to Toronto and move my stuff out east. Then, probably out on a ship again, although I don't think the stingrays have anything booked...so I may be gigging on the east coast earlier than I thought. I'd be cool with that to be honest....not the best environment around here....but not bad. You think it's great, and it's not bad....I like being warm, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Beaches and tourist shops get boring real quick...I could do with a little cold.
I have to get my ass in gear and apply for school too....
Yah, not much going on.....thinking of revamping and cleaning up this site. I can see what you people look at and don't....so might as well tidy it up.
Nov 15, 2007
fun week. took a walk in Curacao...or something like that, Brian and I....Brian is the pub entertainer on the ship...so we take a walk over this bridge to a more busy part of town, walked in the mazes of the streets talking and not really paying attention to where we were. we get out, and the bridge is gone. weird feeling....bridges are not supposed to be gone. apparently it floats, and had to move to let some barges go by....so we found a ferry to take us back.
this past Monday I watched Bowser play....good show. tonight Dominic Allen played....I might be spelling that wrong..hang on. nope that's it. anyway....very cool, guitar player from foreigner. did some very cool big band stuff, then at the end whipped out a foreigner medley. very cool guy. He changed the words to a Billy Joel tune at the end which somehow reminded me of Jeff Scott.... Good stuff though. The drummer Brian, was killer....
Nov 11, 2007
weird not being able to get a poppy.
so my J-45 is famous....
http://www.aomoon.com/blog/cheer_chens_j-45_gibson_aco.html
and I've been having a hard time getting pictures up to flickr...the connection is slow on the ship...and I rarely seek out "free" internet after my 60 dollar lunch one day.
so...these are from facebook..and I'm pretty sure they should work for anyone.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=66880&l=94351&id=616025234
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=66526&l=a7a9f&id=616025234
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=65916&l=e9c2b&id=616025234
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62413&l=ff35b&id=616025234
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=60010&l=16460&id=616025234
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=59771&l=926bd&id=61602523
Meeting some interesting people on this ship....I'm going to miss the Kansas group coming in....the "shot of the night" will be missed.
alright...that's my big update.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
October 2007
Oct 27, 2007
Leaving St.Thomas right now…rainy day. Not too bad of rain though….went to k-mart to get a binder for charts and lyrics. It’s actually a little cold right now…well, chilly anyway. Out on deck 4…it’s nice at most times, like I think I’ve said,…I like being a little closer to the water sometimes. There’s a bunch of people smoking right now….and some water is dripping on me. No worries.
Someone just yelled “Ahoy”….funny. Ok…I just heard two more “ahoy”s. One “ahoy” is funny…two…well, ok then….3? We get it…you’re on a ship, and you are yelling…”Ahoy”.
Ok…number 4 just occurred. I think this cat is loaded.
I still haven’t gotten my midi footswitch I ordered. It’s been a while…getting anxious.
Man, looking at the landscape right now…with all the mist and clouds around the top of the mountains…(hills?) it’d be like we were taking king kong back from skull island. Wish I had a camera on me.
And I almost fell down on stage last night….the boat was a rockin. Kind of funny.
Wondering where we’ll go next….out of England would be cool, and I think they do a run that goes into nova scotia, and quebec city…that’d be alright.
I really should have brought star wars with me…..wasn’t thinking.
Oct 23, 2007
still on the boat....ship.....whatever. I really wish I something to say...I got nothing. it's actually so boring. I can't believe people pay to get on a boat to shop, and be taken places to shop....The good thing is the time to relax and maybe write some songs....that's about it. speaking of which....going out in the sun and relax, and write.
Sitting here on the deck listening to a couple of, for lack of a better word, blowhards, talk to each other. Something about the packers are missing passes and blah blah. I just turned around to look and they look how they sound. Couple of middle aged business dudes.
Side note: some tanned long hair guy is going by in a good sized sail boat, and just raised his beer to everyone, who was waving at him for some reason…..I can’t help but think that this guy is really living his life to the fullest.
Anyway, so business guy #1 gets his beer delivered, and he grabs it and drops it….”I must have too much sun tan lotion on my hands...I forgot.”
…right
Anyway, it’s great looking outside. Kind of overcast, but you can see so far on the water, that there is light out there somewhere…pretty great looking. I wish I had my camera…not sure if I could get it right.
These business guys are sitting there and now they’ve stopped talking about sports, have been on their phone and / or blackberries or whatever…”I lost his message, I can’t get a signal…”
Dude…lift your head up and look around at the scene in front of you…or dude…look at the girls that are 5 feet to your left in teeny little bathing suits….. Maybe business guys think that impresses girls in teeny bathing suits. Then again, what do I know about impressing girls? Not a lot friends….
What does it take to get a drink around here???
…oh…apparently, you just wait until Carlton comes around and he’ll be glad to bring you one….fair enough.
Oct 16, 2007
Ok...in Aruba today. did some laundry, walked...and walked......found a neat bookstore. finished up a song, and started to demo it here in the cabin. interesting. I want to get a mic from radio shack. I have actually brought with me a reasonably good condenser mic. ( a rode nt1...not great, but pretty good...good enough for a cabin. ) but I think I want something.....really easy and low fi that's gonna go right into the edirol USB recording whatchamaboob.....and ....you know..lay it down.
and I got that from Jeff Scott.....I've always loved the demo's he made when he was in....hmm....Jeff, refresh my memory..where were you when you made those demos? into the zoom?
anyway..that's what I'm looking for.
I'm actually pleased with the first song that I've written out here.....feels like a good start. and I've now got my "river" song. See, when Lynn and I went to see tom McRae a while back at the drake, he mentioned some things you need to do/have to be a songwriter...pardon, a singer/songwriter....
wear black
have no friends
have at least one song about trains ( Jeff and Geoffrey have me beat on that)
have a song about a river...( I think I'm leading the pack now in this department)
and...hmm..there were some other stuff....Lynn might be able to help me out with that.
OH! I'm going to be a banana for halloween. 1. I have not dressed up for halloween in a long time....long time. like...the 80's. Anyway...Josh was saying how he wanted to be a gorilla...and I laughed and said, I should be a bananan...well, a couple of drinks later, we're on line laughing buying a banana suit from ebay.
I think one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time is the question:
"So...what size banana suit do you wear.....?"
ha.
Oct 12, 2007
back in St marten...or whatever it is. Things have been going more smoothly...out on the deck, working on new songs....watching a lot of greys anatomy...they just put the dvd in, and play the whole season.....so it's always on one of the channels.
tonight....I play my first arena show. ha. some kind of ....music through the decades thing in the ice rink here on the ship...funny to me. trying to take a lot of pictures....hard to get them up on flickr...the connection on the ship is pretty bad. they upload to facebook though.....weird. anyway....san juan has a nice star bucks.
I'm listening to J-lo and josh just walked in.......he mocked me. haha.
hey...I put the mp3 Zen on shuffle....and I takes what the Zen gives me. life's a lot like that...hmm...
too deep..moving on..moving on.
adventure of the sea. book a cruise and come out and hang out with me .........
Oct 7, 2007
Back in San Juan for the day.....sitting in a starbucks, trying to upload some pictures....so check out the flickr thing, and i should have some up....nothing fancy...just what's sort of around....
its hot. goes without saying i guess....
we checked out the jazz band after our set last night.....pretty killer man. fun night....one thing i know...i should stay away from french martinis.....probably all martinis, that miller lite is all i need.
the pictures are at about 60% uploaded....
bought a new notebook today and some pens.....hopefully will getting me writing again.......
hmm...nothing to really say. going to try and get an early night tonight, last night killer me....it's kind off hard to stop for the evening, when you're wound up after the gig, and everyone else is hanging out. Again, thank goodness for light beer man.
ok...pictures are up.
Oct 6, 2007
The boat is leaving st. Thomas. We had to get up really early to do some immigration stuff…..it went fast though, then a little breakfast, and then more training for the trip…..ethics, and ….sexual ethics. Then off the boat and took a heat filled walk to a k mart and grabbed some stuff. The amount of sweat ….unreal. A little nap later on deck 12, took some pictures…watched the band by the pool……just waiting to play at this point. I should practice a little before the gig. There is some appearance the band has to make on stage during the show in the big theatre. I guess all the performers get up there and wave to the crowd…..it’s the last night of the cruise.
I was hearing all this crazy loud music throughout the week, and I was thinking my neighbours were just playing loud music…turns out my cabin is underneath the theatre….So the shows were going on. Still have a week of training….buzzkill. After that…I don’t know…..time is mine. It’ll be odd, not having to check a board to see where I have to be…..
Oct 5, 2007
this morning I had to drag my tired ass out of bed and down to the pool with a life jacket and learn about life rafts. Not all that fun, but not as crap as I thought it was going to be. It was raining and kind of cool...so, that actually might have been a blessing.
still learning songs for this gig....it's slowly coming together...not getting lost on this boat as much as I did....bought a watch. I normally don't wear one....it seems I have to be places at certain times. I never really gave much of a care when I was going to work if I was late or not....I'd leave at the right time, and I'd get there when I got there.
not sure if I'm leaving the boat today....we're in....st. thomas? I don't even know....I need to pick up some shampoo....yah, exciting and new. ok...I need coffee.
Oct 2, 2007
I'm sitting in the Rumba cafe in Aruba sipping on a balshi pilsner...enjoying the view out the window. Got me thinking about "home' a little bit. I'm out of Toronto....and don't plan on going back.....I'm kind of homeless...how about that? a drifter.....like Easy Rider...without the death and murder at the end.
It seems like...really, cliché as it sounds...not that long ago that my dad drove me up to humbler college from Brighton....and again...feels like a million years ago at the same time. I made a lot of friends on the way, made a lot of mistakes.....I don't know.....a pretty good experience on the whole.
Next stop...not sure....maybe another contract on a ship...? it's only my third day or something....so I'll have to give it some thought.
anyway....to all the people that I didn't get to say goodbye to, I apologize......it didn't mean I wasn't thinking about it.....time was a factor.
Oct 1, 2007
I'm on the ship....pretty nice......long day to get here, then hard time getting on the ship....not so much hard time, well, ya...no one knew where I was supposed to go..annoying. I'm here now anyway. Good guys, fun gig....too much training on the ship stuff for me. leave me alone, I just want to drink coffee and play guitar. so I have to learn to slip a life boat or something....I guess it could happen, so best to be prepared. Small room man...un real. like a little tour bus bed. but really comfortable.......I miss Lynn. it's odd not having her around to talk to.
ok...have to get ready to play. it's rockioke...or something tonight. sing with the band basically....oh man, this could be bad
Leaving St.Thomas right now…rainy day. Not too bad of rain though….went to k-mart to get a binder for charts and lyrics. It’s actually a little cold right now…well, chilly anyway. Out on deck 4…it’s nice at most times, like I think I’ve said,…I like being a little closer to the water sometimes. There’s a bunch of people smoking right now….and some water is dripping on me. No worries.
Someone just yelled “Ahoy”….funny. Ok…I just heard two more “ahoy”s. One “ahoy” is funny…two…well, ok then….3? We get it…you’re on a ship, and you are yelling…”Ahoy”.
Ok…number 4 just occurred. I think this cat is loaded.
I still haven’t gotten my midi footswitch I ordered. It’s been a while…getting anxious.
Man, looking at the landscape right now…with all the mist and clouds around the top of the mountains…(hills?) it’d be like we were taking king kong back from skull island. Wish I had a camera on me.
And I almost fell down on stage last night….the boat was a rockin. Kind of funny.
Wondering where we’ll go next….out of England would be cool, and I think they do a run that goes into nova scotia, and quebec city…that’d be alright.
I really should have brought star wars with me…..wasn’t thinking.
Oct 23, 2007
still on the boat....ship.....whatever. I really wish I something to say...I got nothing. it's actually so boring. I can't believe people pay to get on a boat to shop, and be taken places to shop....The good thing is the time to relax and maybe write some songs....that's about it. speaking of which....going out in the sun and relax, and write.
Sitting here on the deck listening to a couple of, for lack of a better word, blowhards, talk to each other. Something about the packers are missing passes and blah blah. I just turned around to look and they look how they sound. Couple of middle aged business dudes.
Side note: some tanned long hair guy is going by in a good sized sail boat, and just raised his beer to everyone, who was waving at him for some reason…..I can’t help but think that this guy is really living his life to the fullest.
Anyway, so business guy #1 gets his beer delivered, and he grabs it and drops it….”I must have too much sun tan lotion on my hands...I forgot.”
…right
Anyway, it’s great looking outside. Kind of overcast, but you can see so far on the water, that there is light out there somewhere…pretty great looking. I wish I had my camera…not sure if I could get it right.
These business guys are sitting there and now they’ve stopped talking about sports, have been on their phone and / or blackberries or whatever…”I lost his message, I can’t get a signal…”
Dude…lift your head up and look around at the scene in front of you…or dude…look at the girls that are 5 feet to your left in teeny little bathing suits….. Maybe business guys think that impresses girls in teeny bathing suits. Then again, what do I know about impressing girls? Not a lot friends….
What does it take to get a drink around here???
…oh…apparently, you just wait until Carlton comes around and he’ll be glad to bring you one….fair enough.
Oct 16, 2007
Ok...in Aruba today. did some laundry, walked...and walked......found a neat bookstore. finished up a song, and started to demo it here in the cabin. interesting. I want to get a mic from radio shack. I have actually brought with me a reasonably good condenser mic. ( a rode nt1...not great, but pretty good...good enough for a cabin. ) but I think I want something.....really easy and low fi that's gonna go right into the edirol USB recording whatchamaboob.....and ....you know..lay it down.
and I got that from Jeff Scott.....I've always loved the demo's he made when he was in....hmm....Jeff, refresh my memory..where were you when you made those demos? into the zoom?
anyway..that's what I'm looking for.
I'm actually pleased with the first song that I've written out here.....feels like a good start. and I've now got my "river" song. See, when Lynn and I went to see tom McRae a while back at the drake, he mentioned some things you need to do/have to be a songwriter...pardon, a singer/songwriter....
wear black
have no friends
have at least one song about trains ( Jeff and Geoffrey have me beat on that)
have a song about a river...( I think I'm leading the pack now in this department)
and...hmm..there were some other stuff....Lynn might be able to help me out with that.
OH! I'm going to be a banana for halloween. 1. I have not dressed up for halloween in a long time....long time. like...the 80's. Anyway...Josh was saying how he wanted to be a gorilla...and I laughed and said, I should be a bananan...well, a couple of drinks later, we're on line laughing buying a banana suit from ebay.
I think one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time is the question:
"So...what size banana suit do you wear.....?"
ha.
Oct 12, 2007
back in St marten...or whatever it is. Things have been going more smoothly...out on the deck, working on new songs....watching a lot of greys anatomy...they just put the dvd in, and play the whole season.....so it's always on one of the channels.
tonight....I play my first arena show. ha. some kind of ....music through the decades thing in the ice rink here on the ship...funny to me. trying to take a lot of pictures....hard to get them up on flickr...the connection on the ship is pretty bad. they upload to facebook though.....weird. anyway....san juan has a nice star bucks.
I'm listening to J-lo and josh just walked in.......he mocked me. haha.
hey...I put the mp3 Zen on shuffle....and I takes what the Zen gives me. life's a lot like that...hmm...
too deep..moving on..moving on.
adventure of the sea. book a cruise and come out and hang out with me .........
Oct 7, 2007
Back in San Juan for the day.....sitting in a starbucks, trying to upload some pictures....so check out the flickr thing, and i should have some up....nothing fancy...just what's sort of around....
its hot. goes without saying i guess....
we checked out the jazz band after our set last night.....pretty killer man. fun night....one thing i know...i should stay away from french martinis.....probably all martinis, that miller lite is all i need.
the pictures are at about 60% uploaded....
bought a new notebook today and some pens.....hopefully will getting me writing again.......
hmm...nothing to really say. going to try and get an early night tonight, last night killer me....it's kind off hard to stop for the evening, when you're wound up after the gig, and everyone else is hanging out. Again, thank goodness for light beer man.
ok...pictures are up.
Oct 6, 2007
The boat is leaving st. Thomas. We had to get up really early to do some immigration stuff…..it went fast though, then a little breakfast, and then more training for the trip…..ethics, and ….sexual ethics. Then off the boat and took a heat filled walk to a k mart and grabbed some stuff. The amount of sweat ….unreal. A little nap later on deck 12, took some pictures…watched the band by the pool……just waiting to play at this point. I should practice a little before the gig. There is some appearance the band has to make on stage during the show in the big theatre. I guess all the performers get up there and wave to the crowd…..it’s the last night of the cruise.
I was hearing all this crazy loud music throughout the week, and I was thinking my neighbours were just playing loud music…turns out my cabin is underneath the theatre….So the shows were going on. Still have a week of training….buzzkill. After that…I don’t know…..time is mine. It’ll be odd, not having to check a board to see where I have to be…..
Oct 5, 2007
this morning I had to drag my tired ass out of bed and down to the pool with a life jacket and learn about life rafts. Not all that fun, but not as crap as I thought it was going to be. It was raining and kind of cool...so, that actually might have been a blessing.
still learning songs for this gig....it's slowly coming together...not getting lost on this boat as much as I did....bought a watch. I normally don't wear one....it seems I have to be places at certain times. I never really gave much of a care when I was going to work if I was late or not....I'd leave at the right time, and I'd get there when I got there.
not sure if I'm leaving the boat today....we're in....st. thomas? I don't even know....I need to pick up some shampoo....yah, exciting and new. ok...I need coffee.
Oct 2, 2007
I'm sitting in the Rumba cafe in Aruba sipping on a balshi pilsner...enjoying the view out the window. Got me thinking about "home' a little bit. I'm out of Toronto....and don't plan on going back.....I'm kind of homeless...how about that? a drifter.....like Easy Rider...without the death and murder at the end.
It seems like...really, cliché as it sounds...not that long ago that my dad drove me up to humbler college from Brighton....and again...feels like a million years ago at the same time. I made a lot of friends on the way, made a lot of mistakes.....I don't know.....a pretty good experience on the whole.
Next stop...not sure....maybe another contract on a ship...? it's only my third day or something....so I'll have to give it some thought.
anyway....to all the people that I didn't get to say goodbye to, I apologize......it didn't mean I wasn't thinking about it.....time was a factor.
Oct 1, 2007
I'm on the ship....pretty nice......long day to get here, then hard time getting on the ship....not so much hard time, well, ya...no one knew where I was supposed to go..annoying. I'm here now anyway. Good guys, fun gig....too much training on the ship stuff for me. leave me alone, I just want to drink coffee and play guitar. so I have to learn to slip a life boat or something....I guess it could happen, so best to be prepared. Small room man...un real. like a little tour bus bed. but really comfortable.......I miss Lynn. it's odd not having her around to talk to.
ok...have to get ready to play. it's rockioke...or something tonight. sing with the band basically....oh man, this could be bad
September 2007
Sep 25, 2007
Apparently the doctor missed a test...so who knows? I may be just going to Nova Scotia this Saturday.
I played my last gig with Amer last Saturday....I think we sounded pretty good. With all the fussing I do with my "sound", I ended up plugging right into the amp and using 1 pedal, and it sounded fantastic. The bar wasn't what I expected though....upstairs part was cool, but we played in the basement....and it looked and felt like a dude's basement. I'd like to say it felt like the Cavern Club.....but minus some shag carpet....it felt like a guy's basement. But the energy was there, and a good crowd, so I guess that's what counts. I went from thinking Dogfest was going to be this huge outside Lollapalooza thing...(ok...I maybe didn't think it'd be that big.), to having it be in a bar, and in my mind, a pretty cool bar....to walking in and thinking, ok....I'm 18 again and playing a house party cuz his parent's are out of town. Except I had to pay for the beer.
I'm going to miss playing and rehearsing with those guys.....it was fun, and like I said...we sounded pretty good. I hope my parts end up on the album.....
Ok...gotta kill some time and go to the doctor and see if I can straighten this crap out so I can get out of here and play some music. And the pedal I ordered is still sitting in Windsor waiting for someone to pay the duty......damn.
Sep 16, 2007
time is running out. Still learning the songs, but I'm getting this highschool feeling and I left a report till Sunday night to do.
other than that...more recording with Amer the other day...8 hours of overdubs. not bad...I think I got some ok solos in there....a fair amount of coffee. one more day of that.....
The gig went well the other night...thanks to all who showed up. A nice time for my last gig in Toronto...well, for a long while anyway. Next stop, Peterborough....then off to the ship. I got my tests back, no syphilis, no hepatitis.....I'm in! Other than a new suit...I'm ready to roll.
went to Brighton yesterday.....Lynn and I decided to take a little day trip out of the city and do something different.....went on the base in Trenton for a while to see my old house. Interesting...and it's the same thing everyone says....everything looked much smaller. What used to seem like a huge walking adventure, was really just a little jaunt. Put some pictures up on the flickr site...just stuff from presquille. You walk around with a camera there, and all the other birder folk think you know what your a) talking about and b)doing. Some guy asked me as he walked by if there were any good photo ops over where I was ....err...you know..ummm.....yah? The only birds that came to mind where pigeon, seagull, and red belly sap sucker....and I wasn't about to say any of those....I think I then mumbled "errr, geese".
Sep 13, 2007
Recording the bed tracks for Amer's cd was a pretty good time. It was really just one long day...got a lot done. I'm going back in on Saturday to overdub most, if not all the guitar parts. I tanked more than a few solos. It's a really strong album though....looking forward to hearing it done.
Speaking of Amer....I have a gig with him at the Cadillac lounge tomorrow night....not only is it my last night in Toronto with his band, it's my last gig in Toronto for a long while....after September I'm bailing on the cruise ship, and decided to just not come back. Probably go to Nova Scotia...but who know?
I just got my graphics pad delivered....nice. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if it was broken.....the delivery person kind of waddled up the hallway, with a huge box, and basically dropped it in front of the door and got me to sign for it. I opened the box...cool, lot's of padding...but only one side. So it was put flat in the box..then the top padded.
yah..nothing else right now. lot's of learning songs and waiting to leave.
Sep 4, 2007
Ahh, the show with Surf's Up in the Bahamas didn't pan out......too good to be true. So, that's that....no more surf's up gigs in the foreseeable future. I was hoping it was going to go out with a bang. No Bang. In like a Lion, out like a Lamb. First gig I did with them I was thrown in a motorhome and drove none stop to Tunica, Mississippi....a hotel in the middle of a cotton field, (with heavy reno going on...), having everyone in the band getting sick as a dog....my first casino gig. Got to go to Graceland and bond with Jeff Scott a little. El Paso was next on that trip...having the motor home break down, seeing a cactus...a big Charlie brown cactus...prairie dogs. It was just cool seeing more of the states....the most I'd done was buffalo. Then the 54 hour none stop drive back.....Then off to Hong Kong 3 weeks later. I think our last gig was at a RV park.
Sep 3, 2007
Relaxing weekend.....tried out my new lenses at Lynn's parents, sat on the deck all day chatting, taking pictures of birds, my feet, Lynn, and anything else that went into my frame of view....nice bbq.
Today I'm trying to clean up this room. I managed to get a video on youtube, watching a Kiss dvd, and getting some stuff organized. Think I might have to go back to the radiologist tomorrow and get a letter or something for this cruise ship thing. Really, this sort of stuff should be left to someone else.....I'm a little too scatter brained for it. Then to the studio to set up for Amer's cd. It's going to be a long week. After the record is done, and the medical stuff is out of the way....maybe I can relax a bit.
Sep 1, 2007
Friday morning.....woke up, no coffee, no breakfast....went to the doctor. Nice guy, paid him money, he grabbed things, asked questions....set up the blood work and x-rays. And he was totally on time too. Had to get weighed.....whoa. There needs to be some exercising. Hopefully I can take advantage of the gym on the ship.....cuz ol' Shawn needs to lose like 35 pounds. ouch. 13 years on my ass at a desk.....being miserable. Can't be good for the metabolism.
Anyway....Go over to the other part to get the blood out......she was good, didn't hurt at all. (although I almost puked when I saw my blood......hate that.) Oh, and urinated in a cup. I hate that. Well, I hate the actual.....bringing it back and giving a stranger a cup of my pee. I always say "sorry". Could just be the Canadian in me.
Fine, that done...went for the chest X-ray.....x-ray machine down. Great....can I come back on Tuesday....yes.....s'pose so. Jumped in the car, went to Mississauga to L.A. Music to pick up my guitar with the new pickups and the setup. Nice. Really nice......They did it fast, they did it well....it looks and play amazing. Wish I brought my stuff there a long time ago. When I got my guitar done at some other plays...no names, but either it wasn't done well....or it was done ok, and there'd be finger smudges and the like.....It was spotless when I got it back.
so drove back home, back to the X ray place to see if it was fixed...yes...ok...shirt off...click, click......done.
Going back to the doctors in a week to get all the results and pick up my copies of the reports and lab work and blah blah.....then hopefully there will be no troubles getting on this ship.
Kind of getting the jitters for going into the studio with Amer and the guys next week. It's not like it's unlimited time to work out solos and get down stuff.....off the floor, two intense days of rock. I'm bringing my camera, so hopefully there will be some great "Linda Mccartneyesqe" pictures I'll be able to get. To me, she's the coolest rock and roll photographer. Just got such natural shots from people....just hanging out backstage.....and great shots......iconic stuff. So, hopefully Amer will get Uber famous, and I'll be able to retire off my shots I took.
Apparently the doctor missed a test...so who knows? I may be just going to Nova Scotia this Saturday.
I played my last gig with Amer last Saturday....I think we sounded pretty good. With all the fussing I do with my "sound", I ended up plugging right into the amp and using 1 pedal, and it sounded fantastic. The bar wasn't what I expected though....upstairs part was cool, but we played in the basement....and it looked and felt like a dude's basement. I'd like to say it felt like the Cavern Club.....but minus some shag carpet....it felt like a guy's basement. But the energy was there, and a good crowd, so I guess that's what counts. I went from thinking Dogfest was going to be this huge outside Lollapalooza thing...(ok...I maybe didn't think it'd be that big.), to having it be in a bar, and in my mind, a pretty cool bar....to walking in and thinking, ok....I'm 18 again and playing a house party cuz his parent's are out of town. Except I had to pay for the beer.
I'm going to miss playing and rehearsing with those guys.....it was fun, and like I said...we sounded pretty good. I hope my parts end up on the album.....
Ok...gotta kill some time and go to the doctor and see if I can straighten this crap out so I can get out of here and play some music. And the pedal I ordered is still sitting in Windsor waiting for someone to pay the duty......damn.
Sep 16, 2007
time is running out. Still learning the songs, but I'm getting this highschool feeling and I left a report till Sunday night to do.
other than that...more recording with Amer the other day...8 hours of overdubs. not bad...I think I got some ok solos in there....a fair amount of coffee. one more day of that.....
The gig went well the other night...thanks to all who showed up. A nice time for my last gig in Toronto...well, for a long while anyway. Next stop, Peterborough....then off to the ship. I got my tests back, no syphilis, no hepatitis.....I'm in! Other than a new suit...I'm ready to roll.
went to Brighton yesterday.....Lynn and I decided to take a little day trip out of the city and do something different.....went on the base in Trenton for a while to see my old house. Interesting...and it's the same thing everyone says....everything looked much smaller. What used to seem like a huge walking adventure, was really just a little jaunt. Put some pictures up on the flickr site...just stuff from presquille. You walk around with a camera there, and all the other birder folk think you know what your a) talking about and b)doing. Some guy asked me as he walked by if there were any good photo ops over where I was ....err...you know..ummm.....yah? The only birds that came to mind where pigeon, seagull, and red belly sap sucker....and I wasn't about to say any of those....I think I then mumbled "errr, geese".
Sep 13, 2007
Recording the bed tracks for Amer's cd was a pretty good time. It was really just one long day...got a lot done. I'm going back in on Saturday to overdub most, if not all the guitar parts. I tanked more than a few solos. It's a really strong album though....looking forward to hearing it done.
Speaking of Amer....I have a gig with him at the Cadillac lounge tomorrow night....not only is it my last night in Toronto with his band, it's my last gig in Toronto for a long while....after September I'm bailing on the cruise ship, and decided to just not come back. Probably go to Nova Scotia...but who know?
I just got my graphics pad delivered....nice. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if it was broken.....the delivery person kind of waddled up the hallway, with a huge box, and basically dropped it in front of the door and got me to sign for it. I opened the box...cool, lot's of padding...but only one side. So it was put flat in the box..then the top padded.
yah..nothing else right now. lot's of learning songs and waiting to leave.
Sep 4, 2007
Ahh, the show with Surf's Up in the Bahamas didn't pan out......too good to be true. So, that's that....no more surf's up gigs in the foreseeable future. I was hoping it was going to go out with a bang. No Bang. In like a Lion, out like a Lamb. First gig I did with them I was thrown in a motorhome and drove none stop to Tunica, Mississippi....a hotel in the middle of a cotton field, (with heavy reno going on...), having everyone in the band getting sick as a dog....my first casino gig. Got to go to Graceland and bond with Jeff Scott a little. El Paso was next on that trip...having the motor home break down, seeing a cactus...a big Charlie brown cactus...prairie dogs. It was just cool seeing more of the states....the most I'd done was buffalo. Then the 54 hour none stop drive back.....Then off to Hong Kong 3 weeks later. I think our last gig was at a RV park.
Sep 3, 2007
Relaxing weekend.....tried out my new lenses at Lynn's parents, sat on the deck all day chatting, taking pictures of birds, my feet, Lynn, and anything else that went into my frame of view....nice bbq.
Today I'm trying to clean up this room. I managed to get a video on youtube, watching a Kiss dvd, and getting some stuff organized. Think I might have to go back to the radiologist tomorrow and get a letter or something for this cruise ship thing. Really, this sort of stuff should be left to someone else.....I'm a little too scatter brained for it. Then to the studio to set up for Amer's cd. It's going to be a long week. After the record is done, and the medical stuff is out of the way....maybe I can relax a bit.
Sep 1, 2007
Friday morning.....woke up, no coffee, no breakfast....went to the doctor. Nice guy, paid him money, he grabbed things, asked questions....set up the blood work and x-rays. And he was totally on time too. Had to get weighed.....whoa. There needs to be some exercising. Hopefully I can take advantage of the gym on the ship.....cuz ol' Shawn needs to lose like 35 pounds. ouch. 13 years on my ass at a desk.....being miserable. Can't be good for the metabolism.
Anyway....Go over to the other part to get the blood out......she was good, didn't hurt at all. (although I almost puked when I saw my blood......hate that.) Oh, and urinated in a cup. I hate that. Well, I hate the actual.....bringing it back and giving a stranger a cup of my pee. I always say "sorry". Could just be the Canadian in me.
Fine, that done...went for the chest X-ray.....x-ray machine down. Great....can I come back on Tuesday....yes.....s'pose so. Jumped in the car, went to Mississauga to L.A. Music to pick up my guitar with the new pickups and the setup. Nice. Really nice......They did it fast, they did it well....it looks and play amazing. Wish I brought my stuff there a long time ago. When I got my guitar done at some other plays...no names, but either it wasn't done well....or it was done ok, and there'd be finger smudges and the like.....It was spotless when I got it back.
so drove back home, back to the X ray place to see if it was fixed...yes...ok...shirt off...click, click......done.
Going back to the doctors in a week to get all the results and pick up my copies of the reports and lab work and blah blah.....then hopefully there will be no troubles getting on this ship.
Kind of getting the jitters for going into the studio with Amer and the guys next week. It's not like it's unlimited time to work out solos and get down stuff.....off the floor, two intense days of rock. I'm bringing my camera, so hopefully there will be some great "Linda Mccartneyesqe" pictures I'll be able to get. To me, she's the coolest rock and roll photographer. Just got such natural shots from people....just hanging out backstage.....and great shots......iconic stuff. So, hopefully Amer will get Uber famous, and I'll be able to retire off my shots I took.
August 2007
Aug 30, 2007
medical stuff is now Friday....9:15. And usually doctors are late in my experience...so who knows. No eating after dinner tonight. I hope I pass this thing.....There's a lot of tests...like if my glucose is too high. I have no idea of the state of my glucose. Either that or the guy just goes "dude, you are completely out of shape......fergitit"
Anyway...after the medical stuff I head out to LA music in Mississauga to pickup, (hopefully) my guitar. New pickups and a setup. They seemed pretty cool there...I'm hoping everything is put in right, my guitar plays sweet, and it won't cost me an arm and a leg.
Going to try and get all my solos down for recording with Amer on ....what? Tuesday.....yah, that's coming up. In my mind it'd be hip if I'd get everything one take off the floor. No over dubs....one take Shawny. So if I can know the solos I'll play...it'll be a help.....rather than just wanking away with a tonne of distortion on. Speaking of which....I have to get my gear organized. I've gone from a "plug into whatever amp is around, and that's my sound" to a guy that is obsessed with tone and gear. Although, I'm not as into as this dude I saw at long and mcquades.....he had a picture of his setup with him at the store....it looked like two refrigerator with lights and cables.
yes, I'm jealous. my back isn't though. I actually said to him "Man, where do you gig with that???"
Aug 23, 2007
Digging into the songs finally....
feeling very lazy still....I like it. Have to get medical stuff done...hate that part.....probably a lot of waiting, and blood taking...x-rays. poking......rubber gloves.....
Aug 20, 2007
Gig went well at the Dakota....pretty cool place, good crowd. I didn't feel 100% on my game, but it came out ok. Going into the studio soon with Amer....3 long days to do bed tracks....I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be fun.
Just learning songs now....have a month and a bit to get about 150 songs down. I'm finding it hard to get motivated.....I'm doing a lot of tv/dvd watching. It's like I'm on vacation.....hard to force myself to work.
Drinking a PC cola right now...pretty good.
There's some pictures of my guitars on my flickr site if you're interested.
Aug 16, 2007
Busy....a lot happened in a week or two. Quit my job....then got a gig on a cruise ship. So if all goes well, I'm leaving Toronto September 29th....Before that all sorts of things presented themselves. Recording Amer's album is coming up very shortly.....there's a gig tomorrow night at the Dakota, (Dundas and Ossington here in Toronto). I have a gig coming up in the Bahamas with Surf's Up (hope that doesn't fall through....) Then some more Toronto dates with Amer, over dubs on the album, Dogfest in Peterborough.....then gone.
Spent last week at a cottage with Lynn...so relaxing. And since I had found out about the cruise gig before we left, I really got to relax. I got bit by a chipmunk. Little bastard. I fell asleep, and he either thought my toe was a peanut, or he got pissed off I fell asleep and wasn't giving him peanuts anymore.
And I was chopping wood and some flipped back on my big toe...nasty. and hurt like a sonofabitch.
But really a fun relaxing trip.
Also squeezed in some time to make some music for a short little film of sorts. I think I've worked more in the past two weeks than I've done in a long time.
I'm so glad I don't have a day job. Can't even tell you.
Aug 15, 2007
Working on this new site.
Aug 3, 2007
My old job called and said..."umm...we didn't realized you quit on Thursday cuz your manager didn't tell us....you can quit if you want. "
So...water under the bridge.
but hey....don't be afraid to buy some cds....
So now I'm just relaxing and playing guitar most days.....did a round of golf on Tuesday with Mike.
"there's got to be more, than wasting my day in this dead end job..."
...apparently there is. Learn from my mistake....if you are unhappy in a situation and it's not going to get better....move on. Don't wait a million years like I did until you almost freaking lose yourself.
Going to Lynn's family's cottage next week.....that should be relaxing, then recording Amer's new cd.....really looking forward to that. The songs are good and the band sounds great. And I don't have to deal with asking for time off work....
medical stuff is now Friday....9:15. And usually doctors are late in my experience...so who knows. No eating after dinner tonight. I hope I pass this thing.....There's a lot of tests...like if my glucose is too high. I have no idea of the state of my glucose. Either that or the guy just goes "dude, you are completely out of shape......fergitit"
Anyway...after the medical stuff I head out to LA music in Mississauga to pickup, (hopefully) my guitar. New pickups and a setup. They seemed pretty cool there...I'm hoping everything is put in right, my guitar plays sweet, and it won't cost me an arm and a leg.
Going to try and get all my solos down for recording with Amer on ....what? Tuesday.....yah, that's coming up. In my mind it'd be hip if I'd get everything one take off the floor. No over dubs....one take Shawny. So if I can know the solos I'll play...it'll be a help.....rather than just wanking away with a tonne of distortion on. Speaking of which....I have to get my gear organized. I've gone from a "plug into whatever amp is around, and that's my sound" to a guy that is obsessed with tone and gear. Although, I'm not as into as this dude I saw at long and mcquades.....he had a picture of his setup with him at the store....it looked like two refrigerator with lights and cables.
yes, I'm jealous. my back isn't though. I actually said to him "Man, where do you gig with that???"
Aug 23, 2007
Digging into the songs finally....
feeling very lazy still....I like it. Have to get medical stuff done...hate that part.....probably a lot of waiting, and blood taking...x-rays. poking......rubber gloves.....
Aug 20, 2007
Gig went well at the Dakota....pretty cool place, good crowd. I didn't feel 100% on my game, but it came out ok. Going into the studio soon with Amer....3 long days to do bed tracks....I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be fun.
Just learning songs now....have a month and a bit to get about 150 songs down. I'm finding it hard to get motivated.....I'm doing a lot of tv/dvd watching. It's like I'm on vacation.....hard to force myself to work.
Drinking a PC cola right now...pretty good.
There's some pictures of my guitars on my flickr site if you're interested.
Aug 16, 2007
Busy....a lot happened in a week or two. Quit my job....then got a gig on a cruise ship. So if all goes well, I'm leaving Toronto September 29th....Before that all sorts of things presented themselves. Recording Amer's album is coming up very shortly.....there's a gig tomorrow night at the Dakota, (Dundas and Ossington here in Toronto). I have a gig coming up in the Bahamas with Surf's Up (hope that doesn't fall through....) Then some more Toronto dates with Amer, over dubs on the album, Dogfest in Peterborough.....then gone.
Spent last week at a cottage with Lynn...so relaxing. And since I had found out about the cruise gig before we left, I really got to relax. I got bit by a chipmunk. Little bastard. I fell asleep, and he either thought my toe was a peanut, or he got pissed off I fell asleep and wasn't giving him peanuts anymore.
And I was chopping wood and some flipped back on my big toe...nasty. and hurt like a sonofabitch.
But really a fun relaxing trip.
Also squeezed in some time to make some music for a short little film of sorts. I think I've worked more in the past two weeks than I've done in a long time.
I'm so glad I don't have a day job. Can't even tell you.
Aug 15, 2007
Working on this new site.
Aug 3, 2007
My old job called and said..."umm...we didn't realized you quit on Thursday cuz your manager didn't tell us....you can quit if you want. "
So...water under the bridge.
but hey....don't be afraid to buy some cds....
So now I'm just relaxing and playing guitar most days.....did a round of golf on Tuesday with Mike.
"there's got to be more, than wasting my day in this dead end job..."
...apparently there is. Learn from my mistake....if you are unhappy in a situation and it's not going to get better....move on. Don't wait a million years like I did until you almost freaking lose yourself.
Going to Lynn's family's cottage next week.....that should be relaxing, then recording Amer's new cd.....really looking forward to that. The songs are good and the band sounds great. And I don't have to deal with asking for time off work....
July 2007
July 31, 2007
Blessing and curse yesterday. I finally got canned from my job.
So I only have to tell it once....
I got fed up last Thursday, really fed up, and basically yelled at my boss (with some colorful metaphors and deleted explicit) and said I had it and couldn't do this crappy job anymore.
Then she said, well, I should think it over, and not make any rush / emotional decisions and to give her an answer on Monday if I really wanted to quit.
Then they fired me on Monday.
Nice...
....so that's the story sports fans.
So on to bigger and better things. Thank goodness that Harry Potter book came out so I have something to do....
So....don't be afraid to buy an awful lot of copies of my cd Tourist this month....tell your friends, buy one for your friends.
At least go to cdbaby and check it out :
July 29, 2007
I'm not updating this as much as I should. Just in a bad mood lately about my job I guess. Bit of a crossroads. Really have to quit, but it's a little like jumping out of an airplane...it's nice to have that parachute. You can always hope someone will hand you one half way down....but it's more risky and harder to take that step out of the plane.
The gig at the Bovine was a LOT of fun. I broke a strap during a song, sat for a song...figured that sucked, then ran out to the car during a song and grabbed a spare.
....you don't have a spare guitar strap in the trunk of your car? What do you have...things like....a first aid kit and emergency candles?
We have a gig at the Cadillac lounge in Toronto coming up in September....you should check it out.
Beach gig today. Hamilton area....I wish those were more often...I could love the job. The act of starting up a working band seems a little overwhelming...I should just jump in and hit the pavement.
This website is...a little too yellow for me.
July 22, 2007
Just to let everyone know...I have a gig tomorrow at the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto (542 Queen St. W) playing guitar for Amer Diab....we start at 10:30. We'll be there in all our loud, country/rock glory. There are a couple of covers we do that are loud and heavy and unexpected.
Unexpected to me, cuz I usually forget the chords.
I did a surf's up gig the other day at some racetrack near Burlington. Lot's of fun. I've never been that close to the track before....they really beat the hell out of those horse's . Not sure how I feel about that. There was one rider who wasn't hitting that hard, and was more encouraging sounding.....I was rooting for him.
Anyway...Geoffrey Tyler was on the gig playing guitar and singing....mixed things up and added some beef to some of the songs.
.....I need coffee.
July 17, 2007
Did my first gig with Amer. Went well....I flubbed a few times, but I don't think it was noticeable too much. Playing again on Monday at the Bovine in Toronto. Monday. Not a huge fan of Mondays in general....but it still should be fun. He's hoping to get into the studio soon to record a new album....looking forward to that. Maybe give me some insights into my own....which has come to a ...well, not screeching halt...let's say a rolling stop.
So much so a rolling stop that a cop would probably bust you for it for actually not stopping...
It's the playing everything myself which takes so long...on one hand...TOTAL CONTROL. on the other hand it'd be nice to play the song a few times with a band...get the sound, record it...add the bells and/or whistles after. done. Basically by myself, for every instrument I put on a song, I have to play/listen to the song again.....kind of kills the spark.
So if you know some musicians that are great and want to work for free or next to nothing....send them my way.
July 10, 2007
I just read that "Women demand female Pamplona bull run, with cows" .
Maybe it's because I haven't had any coffee yet...but that seems like the dumbest thing I've heard in a while. I never thought the actual bull run was a very smart thing to do.....a bit entertaining to watch, but not a smart thing to actually participate in if you think about it.
....I just went and got coffee and I lost my train of thought. I saw teeny tomatoes in the fridge and starting thinking about a little teeny tomato fight, then started thinking about salads, then what I'm going to eat for breakfast.
some cereal....and I'm off the bull thing.
Almost took some pictures of cows on the side of the road on the way to a gig on Sunday, but didn't bother stopping, getting out, and running up to cows....I was in a bit of a fit thinking I was never going to find the place. I got there 2 hours early.....don't need to say I was the first one there. Wasn't that bad, got a diet coke and practiced for a bit.
I have no real way to end this.
July 7, 2007
just flipped on the earth concert, or whatever it's called. Spinal Tap is on.....Greg Bissonette on drums (from David Lee Roth circa 1987) and Superman's mom from Smallville on backing vocals...I think anyway.
I had to turn it off...freaked me out a little.
Gig with surf's up tomorrow...the grand something resort....it's a trailorpark, albeit a nice one...and if I recall the best club sandwich I'd ever had last year...so it just might be a good gig.
I'm debating going to long and mcquade to get some pickups for my guitar but I'm truly too lazy.....that or go upstairs and find out why they are banging and stomping from noon till 4 in the morning.
I've never actually banged on the ceiling of my apartment to get someone to shut up before...(could be because the last ten years I've lived on the top floor, and I've possibly been that guy...) but I got out a stick last night and cranked on my ceiling....
July 3, 2007
2007.....wow. Am I ever old.
I can think of walking in Machenback as a 12 year old listening to Van halen on one side of a 30 minute tape, and cyndi lauper on the other side....1984. Probably the best year for music that I've seen. Probably cuz I was 12. It just seemed to all come to gether...70's vibe with 80's production.....any style that wanted to be in a song could be in the song. You had Duran Duran on the radio.....men at work.....prince...toto...and all the music featured a song...with great production. music is cool now..don't get me wrong...it's just harder to find.
so ....frankenmuth gig with surf's up. fun.
I got to meet lynn's grandfather.....fun old guy........I rarely say this about old guys.....but he was cute. And has a sweet car. I love that at one point he asked me...and you have to understand.....I'm a big burley looking dude with a beard that's dating his grand daughter....
...."what do they call you??"
......."err....sh...er...umm...well, I've been called a lot of things...I mean...my name's shawn...but people call me a lot of things...."
yah..I babbled.....I think he just was unsure of my name.
looking back...Zoltan would have been a funny answer...if only just for me.
ok...the gig. nice motel. nothing fancy.....but there was a working AC, and a tv with cable.....I'm in. The gig.....open air ampitheatre....you could whisper something, and someone could hear it on the top of this place.....so my new amp got to sing a bit.....(although, Guy was not impressed with my voume...I didnt' think it was that loud, and if you ask Amer I , and I quote...."need to play with some balls..."
....come out on the 12 of july at mitzi's to see/hear some balls.
I digress.
They fed us. Chicken....like home made deep fried american chicken.
hey...I did mention this gig was in the states, yah? Cross the border was, at this point in my "career" fun. I just know how it works....A) takes a while B) it's all bark no bite
custom guy to lynn..."who's she???"
"it's her car...she's coming to hang out...."
......"so she's a groupie........"
me: "I know you have a gun and all...but hey man, that's my girl friend....."
....after that, we're in.
ok...so...hmm..what was I talking about?
oh yah...nice chicken.......played the gig.....pretty much 5000 people.
back to the motel....some beer..yapping...sleep.....wake up....breakfast.
crappy breakfast. waited too long, shit omelette.
how do you mess up 3 eggs and toast??? well they did.
then outlet mall shopping. nice.
bought a bunch of crap..including a talking c3po, and some kids percussion stuff.....declared a 6 pack of mountain dew at the border...and we're home.
and then back to work being called an asshole on the phone because I won't refund some tickets to some dill hole that bought the wrong date, read the part about final sale, and decided that's no good.
one day: playing for 5000 people wanting you to play more songs
2 days later....being called an asshole by some knob that thinks the world owes him something for his presence.
rock and roll baby.
Blessing and curse yesterday. I finally got canned from my job.
So I only have to tell it once....
I got fed up last Thursday, really fed up, and basically yelled at my boss (with some colorful metaphors and deleted explicit) and said I had it and couldn't do this crappy job anymore.
Then she said, well, I should think it over, and not make any rush / emotional decisions and to give her an answer on Monday if I really wanted to quit.
Then they fired me on Monday.
Nice...
....so that's the story sports fans.
So on to bigger and better things. Thank goodness that Harry Potter book came out so I have something to do....
So....don't be afraid to buy an awful lot of copies of my cd Tourist this month....tell your friends, buy one for your friends.
At least go to cdbaby and check it out :
July 29, 2007
I'm not updating this as much as I should. Just in a bad mood lately about my job I guess. Bit of a crossroads. Really have to quit, but it's a little like jumping out of an airplane...it's nice to have that parachute. You can always hope someone will hand you one half way down....but it's more risky and harder to take that step out of the plane.
The gig at the Bovine was a LOT of fun. I broke a strap during a song, sat for a song...figured that sucked, then ran out to the car during a song and grabbed a spare.
....you don't have a spare guitar strap in the trunk of your car? What do you have...things like....a first aid kit and emergency candles?
We have a gig at the Cadillac lounge in Toronto coming up in September....you should check it out.
Beach gig today. Hamilton area....I wish those were more often...I could love the job. The act of starting up a working band seems a little overwhelming...I should just jump in and hit the pavement.
This website is...a little too yellow for me.
July 22, 2007
Just to let everyone know...I have a gig tomorrow at the Bovine Sex Club in Toronto (542 Queen St. W) playing guitar for Amer Diab....we start at 10:30. We'll be there in all our loud, country/rock glory. There are a couple of covers we do that are loud and heavy and unexpected.
Unexpected to me, cuz I usually forget the chords.
I did a surf's up gig the other day at some racetrack near Burlington. Lot's of fun. I've never been that close to the track before....they really beat the hell out of those horse's . Not sure how I feel about that. There was one rider who wasn't hitting that hard, and was more encouraging sounding.....I was rooting for him.
Anyway...Geoffrey Tyler was on the gig playing guitar and singing....mixed things up and added some beef to some of the songs.
.....I need coffee.
July 17, 2007
Did my first gig with Amer. Went well....I flubbed a few times, but I don't think it was noticeable too much. Playing again on Monday at the Bovine in Toronto. Monday. Not a huge fan of Mondays in general....but it still should be fun. He's hoping to get into the studio soon to record a new album....looking forward to that. Maybe give me some insights into my own....which has come to a ...well, not screeching halt...let's say a rolling stop.
So much so a rolling stop that a cop would probably bust you for it for actually not stopping...
It's the playing everything myself which takes so long...on one hand...TOTAL CONTROL. on the other hand it'd be nice to play the song a few times with a band...get the sound, record it...add the bells and/or whistles after. done. Basically by myself, for every instrument I put on a song, I have to play/listen to the song again.....kind of kills the spark.
So if you know some musicians that are great and want to work for free or next to nothing....send them my way.
July 10, 2007
I just read that "Women demand female Pamplona bull run, with cows" .
Maybe it's because I haven't had any coffee yet...but that seems like the dumbest thing I've heard in a while. I never thought the actual bull run was a very smart thing to do.....a bit entertaining to watch, but not a smart thing to actually participate in if you think about it.
....I just went and got coffee and I lost my train of thought. I saw teeny tomatoes in the fridge and starting thinking about a little teeny tomato fight, then started thinking about salads, then what I'm going to eat for breakfast.
some cereal....and I'm off the bull thing.
Almost took some pictures of cows on the side of the road on the way to a gig on Sunday, but didn't bother stopping, getting out, and running up to cows....I was in a bit of a fit thinking I was never going to find the place. I got there 2 hours early.....don't need to say I was the first one there. Wasn't that bad, got a diet coke and practiced for a bit.
I have no real way to end this.
July 7, 2007
just flipped on the earth concert, or whatever it's called. Spinal Tap is on.....Greg Bissonette on drums (from David Lee Roth circa 1987) and Superman's mom from Smallville on backing vocals...I think anyway.
I had to turn it off...freaked me out a little.
Gig with surf's up tomorrow...the grand something resort....it's a trailorpark, albeit a nice one...and if I recall the best club sandwich I'd ever had last year...so it just might be a good gig.
I'm debating going to long and mcquade to get some pickups for my guitar but I'm truly too lazy.....that or go upstairs and find out why they are banging and stomping from noon till 4 in the morning.
I've never actually banged on the ceiling of my apartment to get someone to shut up before...(could be because the last ten years I've lived on the top floor, and I've possibly been that guy...) but I got out a stick last night and cranked on my ceiling....
July 3, 2007
2007.....wow. Am I ever old.
I can think of walking in Machenback as a 12 year old listening to Van halen on one side of a 30 minute tape, and cyndi lauper on the other side....1984. Probably the best year for music that I've seen. Probably cuz I was 12. It just seemed to all come to gether...70's vibe with 80's production.....any style that wanted to be in a song could be in the song. You had Duran Duran on the radio.....men at work.....prince...toto...and all the music featured a song...with great production. music is cool now..don't get me wrong...it's just harder to find.
so ....frankenmuth gig with surf's up. fun.
I got to meet lynn's grandfather.....fun old guy........I rarely say this about old guys.....but he was cute. And has a sweet car. I love that at one point he asked me...and you have to understand.....I'm a big burley looking dude with a beard that's dating his grand daughter....
...."what do they call you??"
......."err....sh...er...umm...well, I've been called a lot of things...I mean...my name's shawn...but people call me a lot of things...."
yah..I babbled.....I think he just was unsure of my name.
looking back...Zoltan would have been a funny answer...if only just for me.
ok...the gig. nice motel. nothing fancy.....but there was a working AC, and a tv with cable.....I'm in. The gig.....open air ampitheatre....you could whisper something, and someone could hear it on the top of this place.....so my new amp got to sing a bit.....(although, Guy was not impressed with my voume...I didnt' think it was that loud, and if you ask Amer I , and I quote...."need to play with some balls..."
....come out on the 12 of july at mitzi's to see/hear some balls.
I digress.
They fed us. Chicken....like home made deep fried american chicken.
hey...I did mention this gig was in the states, yah? Cross the border was, at this point in my "career" fun. I just know how it works....A) takes a while B) it's all bark no bite
custom guy to lynn..."who's she???"
"it's her car...she's coming to hang out...."
......"so she's a groupie........"
me: "I know you have a gun and all...but hey man, that's my girl friend....."
....after that, we're in.
ok...so...hmm..what was I talking about?
oh yah...nice chicken.......played the gig.....pretty much 5000 people.
back to the motel....some beer..yapping...sleep.....wake up....breakfast.
crappy breakfast. waited too long, shit omelette.
how do you mess up 3 eggs and toast??? well they did.
then outlet mall shopping. nice.
bought a bunch of crap..including a talking c3po, and some kids percussion stuff.....declared a 6 pack of mountain dew at the border...and we're home.
and then back to work being called an asshole on the phone because I won't refund some tickets to some dill hole that bought the wrong date, read the part about final sale, and decided that's no good.
one day: playing for 5000 people wanting you to play more songs
2 days later....being called an asshole by some knob that thinks the world owes him something for his presence.
rock and roll baby.
June 2007
June 23, 2007
ok....TONIGHT I'm playing at Chapter's at John and Richmond. We play at the Eaton Centre last night....good thing I called Jeff to see if he had some extra strings.....or it would have been ...well, not good.
All week there were signs that I had the dates messed up in my head...(apparently, I have them correct on my shows page....wow, even I don't read it..). At one point Jeff told me we were setting up at the top of the escalator. Now, if you know John and Richmond Chapter's....that would be a messed up place to play. So I say, well, that's a messed up place to play. Then yesterday he tells me he's going to the loading dock....."what loading dock?"
"the one for the Eaton's Centre...."
oh crap.
The gig went well anyway...and thanks for all who picked up a cd.....
There was a group of teenage girls that walked by...and one of them broke away from the pack and started to walk over....stuck her head within three feet of each of our guitar headstocks....said "cool guitars"...and went off to join her gang...I mean, friends.
I just may be at the age where teenagers scare me. But then, I think I've been at that age since I was a teenager.
....I'm kidding...teens don't scare me. Slightly annoy, and confuse, but not actually frighten. It was kind of surreal to have a pierced, dyed, heavy makeup'd face hovering near my guitar....but hey, the girl knows a nice guitar when she sees one.
And some guy kind of walked around the perimeter of the "stage" (aka, the mystery section), then whipped out a camera with a lens the size of my arm and started taking some shots....I assume paparazzi....but I checked out all the papers....I found nothing.
interesting.
June 22, 2007
Playing the Chapter's at John and Richmond tonight...I don't know...6:30 to 9 I think....
also..you can buy Tourist all mp3 like at this place..it's pretty cool, cheap and easy...
http://payplay.fm/shawnhebb
seems like an ok site....and if you don't want to deal with iTunes or any kind of specific format...or old fashioned "waiting in the mail for a cd"....this is the place.
ok...have to finish packing my crap for this gig.
June 19, 2007
Rehearsal last night with Amer and the guys.....starting to sound good. The PA kept kanking out though...ad that on to not knowing the lyrics very well, and I have to say, my singing was less than stellar.
I had a dream last night I was trying to golf....but there was a wall about 4 feet in front of me wherever I tried to hit the ball. The odd thing was, it was painted like what was supposed to be in front of me...does that make sense? I suppose that's pretty easy to analyze in all sort of ways...
Surf's Up rehearsal tonight....out in my old neighborhood. It'll be nice to hi to all the old crack whores again. Oh, those Woodbine gigs....don't go there expecting to see us; we're playing in the back in a tent for some rich corporate fat cats. I think. It could be for the nice folks at Toyota for all I know. All I know is the common folk are not allowed admittance.
But if you want to spend Canada Day in beautiful Frankenmuth, MI, come on out.....some free women's festival in the sun. Or something like that.
June 19, 2007
Sleepy this morning.....sleepy and not wanting to go to work. Too many other things to do.....this work thing is really cramping my style.
Rehearsal for Surf's Up last night....kind of fun, reminded me of all the vocal parts that have gotten lost in my head somewhere. More rehearsals this week with Amer and Surf's Up, then the Chapter's gigs on the weekend. I think it's pretty dry as far as gigs go with my own stuff for a while....I'll have to book some more I guess. I feel like playing somewhere I haven't been before....
Tongue is healing slowly.
June 17, 2007
good gig last night....thanks for all that came out and bought cds.....it's always really appreciated.
The Good Times cafe came through with the promise of it's name I reckon. Had one of the best Donairs I've had in a long time....made me homesick. Until I bit my tongue....then I was just kind of pissed at myself.
It was cool to have Andrew out on the gig.....he's so good on stage...very natural. I hate him. ha. I was saying last night I could put that guy up in front of a 1000 people with a trombone and I think he would make it through his set. Come midnight it was also his first father's day....so that was kind of cool too.
These next couple of weeks seem really busy....rehearsals, giving lessons, gigs, more rehearsals...I like it...don't get me wrong. I'd rather being doing this than anything.....makes it hard to go to work.
I rearrange my little "studio" today....The toys are easier to get at for one.....just seems more open. really have to start recording....I have cold feet for some reason. A million ideas in my head.....having a hard time taking that first step.
This year seems to be finally growing into itself though....I sense change in the air...but I could be full of shit. who knows?
June 11, 2007
up way too early....feels like it anyway...Jeff is picking me up to go to that tv gig...wow...tired. Still have to pack up my gear too. Acoustic gigs are great, throw a guitar in a bag...just have to bring a cable, a tuner...maybe a strap. This pedal steel thing...man....guitar, chair, cables, volume pedal, tuner...have to make sure I have the right shoes to play the thing.....
right....drinking coffee right now...waking up. Slowly...yess....there it is.
The actually playing part is a big nerve wracking....I'm looking forward to the coffee they have there....and then lunch. I don't know...some gigs, the time around the gig is more fun than the actual playing. Some it's the whole package...some it's just the playing.
ok...coffee is gone......going to pack up. at least I get the day off work.....
....also getting tired of this website....might need to update.
June 7, 2007
ok.....show updates. 22 June is Eaton centre....23 john and Richmond. 7-9:30 pm.
23rd me and Jeff are going to the firkin after for a drink.......
Jeff tells me I'm bringing the pedal steel.
June 6, 2007
Gigs are finally starting to happen for the summer. Good.
I have nothing to say but it was cold yesterday. And me, in short pants. I seem to recall a certain point in my life....let's say: "when I was young...", that you know after a certain point of the year, like June, you could safely walk out of the house at any given day in shorts, and know that you were covered. (or not as the case may be. )
Jeff and I are having a rehearsal tomorrow night for our gigs coming up. We're bringing out some newer and older material. Jeff has a couple new ones that I have to learn. I have my old ones that I have to learn. I think Jeff knows all of them already.
June 4, 2007
A long drive, but we're back in Toronto. got in yesterday afternoon. Great weather for driving, zero body count.
I really don't want to be back....but can't move just yet I guess. Gigs coming up...new market next week, (with Andrew and Jeff which will be fun), then some Chapters/Indigo stuff downtown Toronto, I think a beach band in there. It's on the shows page.
I brought a bunch of toys back from the attic of my parents house. fun stuff, mostly old star wars stuff, but there's a GI Joe, and evil kneivel, some mad magazines, and some superhero dolls....I mean, action figures.
...there's a lot of people in this city.
May 28, 2007
A long drive but we're in Nova Scotia....got in yesterday afternoon. Great weather for driving....hit a raccoon. Freaked me out a little....little guy jumped in front of the car, looked up with a look on it's face that could only be read as "oh shit", and then Boom thud thud.
Ripped the front license plate right off the car.
And then we spent the night in Ormocto. Fun to say, fun to hear.
Got into Gold River about 2:30....unpacked, had a beer, started the bbq...
Today..rain. Crap...but still ok....went through some old LP's....played some guitar.....hopefully tomorrow there will be some sun, more bbq....more relaxing.
ok....TONIGHT I'm playing at Chapter's at John and Richmond. We play at the Eaton Centre last night....good thing I called Jeff to see if he had some extra strings.....or it would have been ...well, not good.
All week there were signs that I had the dates messed up in my head...(apparently, I have them correct on my shows page....wow, even I don't read it..). At one point Jeff told me we were setting up at the top of the escalator. Now, if you know John and Richmond Chapter's....that would be a messed up place to play. So I say, well, that's a messed up place to play. Then yesterday he tells me he's going to the loading dock....."what loading dock?"
"the one for the Eaton's Centre...."
oh crap.
The gig went well anyway...and thanks for all who picked up a cd.....
There was a group of teenage girls that walked by...and one of them broke away from the pack and started to walk over....stuck her head within three feet of each of our guitar headstocks....said "cool guitars"...and went off to join her gang...I mean, friends.
I just may be at the age where teenagers scare me. But then, I think I've been at that age since I was a teenager.
....I'm kidding...teens don't scare me. Slightly annoy, and confuse, but not actually frighten. It was kind of surreal to have a pierced, dyed, heavy makeup'd face hovering near my guitar....but hey, the girl knows a nice guitar when she sees one.
And some guy kind of walked around the perimeter of the "stage" (aka, the mystery section), then whipped out a camera with a lens the size of my arm and started taking some shots....I assume paparazzi....but I checked out all the papers....I found nothing.
interesting.
June 22, 2007
Playing the Chapter's at John and Richmond tonight...I don't know...6:30 to 9 I think....
also..you can buy Tourist all mp3 like at this place..it's pretty cool, cheap and easy...
http://payplay.fm/shawnhebb
seems like an ok site....and if you don't want to deal with iTunes or any kind of specific format...or old fashioned "waiting in the mail for a cd"....this is the place.
ok...have to finish packing my crap for this gig.
June 19, 2007
Rehearsal last night with Amer and the guys.....starting to sound good. The PA kept kanking out though...ad that on to not knowing the lyrics very well, and I have to say, my singing was less than stellar.
I had a dream last night I was trying to golf....but there was a wall about 4 feet in front of me wherever I tried to hit the ball. The odd thing was, it was painted like what was supposed to be in front of me...does that make sense? I suppose that's pretty easy to analyze in all sort of ways...
Surf's Up rehearsal tonight....out in my old neighborhood. It'll be nice to hi to all the old crack whores again. Oh, those Woodbine gigs....don't go there expecting to see us; we're playing in the back in a tent for some rich corporate fat cats. I think. It could be for the nice folks at Toyota for all I know. All I know is the common folk are not allowed admittance.
But if you want to spend Canada Day in beautiful Frankenmuth, MI, come on out.....some free women's festival in the sun. Or something like that.
June 19, 2007
Sleepy this morning.....sleepy and not wanting to go to work. Too many other things to do.....this work thing is really cramping my style.
Rehearsal for Surf's Up last night....kind of fun, reminded me of all the vocal parts that have gotten lost in my head somewhere. More rehearsals this week with Amer and Surf's Up, then the Chapter's gigs on the weekend. I think it's pretty dry as far as gigs go with my own stuff for a while....I'll have to book some more I guess. I feel like playing somewhere I haven't been before....
Tongue is healing slowly.
June 17, 2007
good gig last night....thanks for all that came out and bought cds.....it's always really appreciated.
The Good Times cafe came through with the promise of it's name I reckon. Had one of the best Donairs I've had in a long time....made me homesick. Until I bit my tongue....then I was just kind of pissed at myself.
It was cool to have Andrew out on the gig.....he's so good on stage...very natural. I hate him. ha. I was saying last night I could put that guy up in front of a 1000 people with a trombone and I think he would make it through his set. Come midnight it was also his first father's day....so that was kind of cool too.
These next couple of weeks seem really busy....rehearsals, giving lessons, gigs, more rehearsals...I like it...don't get me wrong. I'd rather being doing this than anything.....makes it hard to go to work.
I rearrange my little "studio" today....The toys are easier to get at for one.....just seems more open. really have to start recording....I have cold feet for some reason. A million ideas in my head.....having a hard time taking that first step.
This year seems to be finally growing into itself though....I sense change in the air...but I could be full of shit. who knows?
June 11, 2007
up way too early....feels like it anyway...Jeff is picking me up to go to that tv gig...wow...tired. Still have to pack up my gear too. Acoustic gigs are great, throw a guitar in a bag...just have to bring a cable, a tuner...maybe a strap. This pedal steel thing...man....guitar, chair, cables, volume pedal, tuner...have to make sure I have the right shoes to play the thing.....
right....drinking coffee right now...waking up. Slowly...yess....there it is.
The actually playing part is a big nerve wracking....I'm looking forward to the coffee they have there....and then lunch. I don't know...some gigs, the time around the gig is more fun than the actual playing. Some it's the whole package...some it's just the playing.
ok...coffee is gone......going to pack up. at least I get the day off work.....
....also getting tired of this website....might need to update.
June 7, 2007
ok.....show updates. 22 June is Eaton centre....23 john and Richmond. 7-9:30 pm.
23rd me and Jeff are going to the firkin after for a drink.......
Jeff tells me I'm bringing the pedal steel.
June 6, 2007
Gigs are finally starting to happen for the summer. Good.
I have nothing to say but it was cold yesterday. And me, in short pants. I seem to recall a certain point in my life....let's say: "when I was young...", that you know after a certain point of the year, like June, you could safely walk out of the house at any given day in shorts, and know that you were covered. (or not as the case may be. )
Jeff and I are having a rehearsal tomorrow night for our gigs coming up. We're bringing out some newer and older material. Jeff has a couple new ones that I have to learn. I have my old ones that I have to learn. I think Jeff knows all of them already.
June 4, 2007
A long drive, but we're back in Toronto. got in yesterday afternoon. Great weather for driving, zero body count.
I really don't want to be back....but can't move just yet I guess. Gigs coming up...new market next week, (with Andrew and Jeff which will be fun), then some Chapters/Indigo stuff downtown Toronto, I think a beach band in there. It's on the shows page.
I brought a bunch of toys back from the attic of my parents house. fun stuff, mostly old star wars stuff, but there's a GI Joe, and evil kneivel, some mad magazines, and some superhero dolls....I mean, action figures.
...there's a lot of people in this city.
May 28, 2007
A long drive but we're in Nova Scotia....got in yesterday afternoon. Great weather for driving....hit a raccoon. Freaked me out a little....little guy jumped in front of the car, looked up with a look on it's face that could only be read as "oh shit", and then Boom thud thud.
Ripped the front license plate right off the car.
And then we spent the night in Ormocto. Fun to say, fun to hear.
Got into Gold River about 2:30....unpacked, had a beer, started the bbq...
Today..rain. Crap...but still ok....went through some old LP's....played some guitar.....hopefully tomorrow there will be some sun, more bbq....more relaxing.
May 2007
May 28, 2007
A long drive but we're in Nova Scotia....got in yesterday afternoon. Great weather for driving....hit a raccoon. Freaked me out a little....little guy jumped in front of the car, looked up with a look on it's face that could only be read as "oh shit", and then Boom thud thud.
Ripped the front license plate right off the car.
And then we spent the night in Ormocto. Fun to say, fun to hear.
Got into Gold River about 2:30....unpacked, had a beer, started the bbq...
Today..rain. Crap...but still ok....went through some old LP's....played some guitar.....hopefully tomorrow there will be some sun, more bbq....more relaxing.
May 26, 2007
packing my bags and heading to nova scotia for a week. Maybe do a little writing, do a little relaxing...that's about it.
May 20, 2007
Ribs are in the oven, got a mohito on the desk, learning some Amer Diab songs.....
That's my afternoon....I kind of wanted to sit on the balcony on the new patio chairs....but it's way too windy. (got new patio chairs yesterday)
That in itself was an ordeal...first went to Ikea to get the ones we looked at before...no dice, all gone. fine....off to Canadian tire to get the other ones we liked........no luck. Fine. Off to the liquor store then....linen's and things next to it....boom chairs....good. Buy two....thanks, ok...to the car....
these are not going to fit in the car. ok..no problem...I'll put the back seat down, put them in the truck and hold on to them until we get home.
...hello ladies and gentlemen.....I just drove in with some deck chairs, and boy are my arms tired.
ok..home, bring them and all the groceries up stairs...they don't fit through the balcony door.
ok..long story short, yes they do, but it's like the Rubik's cube getting them through.
So...today I'm learning songs and not doing much really....maybe a movie later.
The gig at holy joe's was ok......I like the room, but getting to it is a bitch...3rd floor, through two death metal clubs, and top floor there you are..acoustic heaven. The sound guy is a bit of a wise ass, but the barkeep taps and sings along with the songs.
Next up, that tv show with Jeff...and I think I mentioned that I'm looking forward to lunch afterwards. I really need to get out of the city and play. I'm not talking the tv thing mind you....just thinking. I miss up north, I miss the bar, I miss the smell, the vibe of it. I miss traveling down to the states, I miss the truck stops, I miss the casinos.....I miss playing in a hotel and talking with people I've never met.....hearing about what they're doing. I'm bored here. For a city with so many people, and so many things to do...it sure is easy to get into a rut.
there was a hawk on the smoke stack in front of our apartment last night.
May 16th, 2007
It's my Dad's Birthday......Happy Birthday Dad!
My dad can kick your dad's ass.....that's all I'm sayin'.
I had my first rehearsal with Amer Diab tonight......fun, nice, good songs, loud...my ears are ringing. My own fault...should have brought ear plugs...you know how these rockers are...they like to play loud. I have to get an amp....I borrowed Jeff Scott's....his Hot Rod Deluxe. I like it...but it gets...funny at loud volumes. (Don't freak Jeff...I didn't do anything to your amp...) I mean, that particular amp..in my opinion.....gets muddy when you turn it up. Mushy or something....so I get to go amp shoppin' on Saturday. It's frustrating....you have this sound in your head...but can't get it to come out of the amp......or your fingers half the time. It's like trying to say a sentence and forgetting the word....."what's that thing....the thing you put the coffee cup on....umm..in front of the sofa...oh man, it's right at the tip of my tongue........COFFEE TABLE! "
but then your solo is done and your in the third verse and it's all for not.
what was I saying?
gig tomorrow? oh yah, I do....thanks for reminding me.
Gig tomorrow at holy Joe's. ash...holy Joes. The big bop in another of my life times...oddly...I never went, but I remember an ex telling me how she went to the big bop...this was before I moved to Toronto....
wait...what was I saying? Gig tomorrow. Gotta remember that.....or I'll be at home watching tv, the phone will be ringing...( and those of you that know me know I never answer the phone...wish I didn't have it...but sometimes you want to order some food in.....).
Holy Joe's. Tomorrow night....bring some money for drinks......get ready to stay up late...hell, I am......and we can be tired at work on Friday...deal with it. It's the weekend right after that....really..suck it up...and it's a long weekend......
No excuses.
a) Drinks
b) music......free music good dare I say.
c) DRINKS MAN......
ok..that's it.the ball is in your court. I'd like to see you there. I'm personally inviting you to come...
so it's the top floor...don't pay a cover at the 2nd floor...you say, hey I'm going upstairs
May 10, 2007
hmm..the fountains outside my building turn off at 11 pm, and apparently turn on at 7am...useless info I guess. Sorry. Although, if I didn't have a place to live I'd be all over that.
I have not started rehearsing for these gigs coming up with Jeff.....not a note. I'm getting into "I'm screwed" country. And we have a TV thing coming up....I think I mentioned that down there already.....I have no idea what I want my song to be. (we're doing on each you see...). I'm more looking forward to a day off work and lunch afterwards. Although, that coffee was pretty good there last time....ok...the coffee, day off, and lunch.
I have some gigs coming up if you want to check out the shows page....I don't have all the info for all of them yet....(I put them up there I'd say about 75% for me so I can check quick and not double book myself.
Bought some blinds for the windows in here....half for sound, half for privacy.....I don't think anyone can really see in, but if I feel the urge to lay down some guitar tracks down in my underwear....well, let's just say no one wants/needs/has to see that.
I went to home depot last night and got a drill bit, and some hooks and things too....ahhh...feeling very manly until I got to the hooks department....
me, (holding a big hook, and a little hook): "do you have any hooks in between these sizes...I can't seem to find any."
home depot dude: "yup, there right...(walks a few steps), over here.........idiot"
me: "did you just call me an idiot?"
home depot dude: "no, no sir...I said....nice drill bit"
me: "uhhh....oh, umm, ok...thanks for the help"
home depot dude: "need some help finding your ass too rockstar?"
me: "I'm sorry...what???!?"
home depot dude:" I said....do you need some help finding your ass as well.....??? I only ask because the hooks you were looking for were right in front of your eyes....I thought you maybe couldn't find other things that were, to the common eye, pretty obvious........."
...
ok..it didn't really go down like that....I asked, he showed me the hooks, and was really quite friendly about it.....I felt like an idiot, because really, they were right around the corner from where I was....(I think hidden....only moments before though.
....I could probably use some coffee.
May 8, 2007
I just had "Picture Pages" in my head...not sure why...the theme song. Do you remember that, with Bill Cosby?....I think in the middle of Capt. Kangaroo. I don't think anyone under 32 comes to this site...so you should.
Some new shows coming up...the Holy Joe's one on the 17th...me and Jeff, then another on June 16th in new market...another one of those Roger's tv things on June 11, (that's me and Jeff as well...)..and a gig with Amer Diab on June 22 at Mitzi's Sister. Brad Holy from Surf's Up is in that band as well...should be fun....and I actually get to play some guitar, and not have to worry about remembering lyrics so much. We're going to need a bigger amp.
I've been sticking things up on the wall in the studio....."studio"
That implies that I actual do some recording in here..which I have only started on a bit yesterday...and that wasn't the most focused effort I've effort made. Anyway...that's sort of the reason for putting crap on the walls. It started out as an ill fated idea to put up some black studio foam.......not a great idea. Then I have some nice bamboo deals from Ikea....(I don't have to put a link in to Ikea's website do I? I'm sure you internet savvy people can find that....heck, it's probably just Ikea dot see ayyy. (for my Canadian friends..dot com for you international folk. )
Where was I? I don't know..something about a studio....oh yah...I'm getting nothing done in that recording area. I am working on a new web site....and learning songs and getting ready for the summer....(I'm playing bass with surf's up....that's going to be new....)
that's surfsup, not surfsup
A long drive but we're in Nova Scotia....got in yesterday afternoon. Great weather for driving....hit a raccoon. Freaked me out a little....little guy jumped in front of the car, looked up with a look on it's face that could only be read as "oh shit", and then Boom thud thud.
Ripped the front license plate right off the car.
And then we spent the night in Ormocto. Fun to say, fun to hear.
Got into Gold River about 2:30....unpacked, had a beer, started the bbq...
Today..rain. Crap...but still ok....went through some old LP's....played some guitar.....hopefully tomorrow there will be some sun, more bbq....more relaxing.
May 26, 2007
packing my bags and heading to nova scotia for a week. Maybe do a little writing, do a little relaxing...that's about it.
May 20, 2007
Ribs are in the oven, got a mohito on the desk, learning some Amer Diab songs.....
That's my afternoon....I kind of wanted to sit on the balcony on the new patio chairs....but it's way too windy. (got new patio chairs yesterday)
That in itself was an ordeal...first went to Ikea to get the ones we looked at before...no dice, all gone. fine....off to Canadian tire to get the other ones we liked........no luck. Fine. Off to the liquor store then....linen's and things next to it....boom chairs....good. Buy two....thanks, ok...to the car....
these are not going to fit in the car. ok..no problem...I'll put the back seat down, put them in the truck and hold on to them until we get home.
...hello ladies and gentlemen.....I just drove in with some deck chairs, and boy are my arms tired.
ok..home, bring them and all the groceries up stairs...they don't fit through the balcony door.
ok..long story short, yes they do, but it's like the Rubik's cube getting them through.
So...today I'm learning songs and not doing much really....maybe a movie later.
The gig at holy joe's was ok......I like the room, but getting to it is a bitch...3rd floor, through two death metal clubs, and top floor there you are..acoustic heaven. The sound guy is a bit of a wise ass, but the barkeep taps and sings along with the songs.
Next up, that tv show with Jeff...and I think I mentioned that I'm looking forward to lunch afterwards. I really need to get out of the city and play. I'm not talking the tv thing mind you....just thinking. I miss up north, I miss the bar, I miss the smell, the vibe of it. I miss traveling down to the states, I miss the truck stops, I miss the casinos.....I miss playing in a hotel and talking with people I've never met.....hearing about what they're doing. I'm bored here. For a city with so many people, and so many things to do...it sure is easy to get into a rut.
there was a hawk on the smoke stack in front of our apartment last night.
May 16th, 2007
It's my Dad's Birthday......Happy Birthday Dad!
My dad can kick your dad's ass.....that's all I'm sayin'.
I had my first rehearsal with Amer Diab tonight......fun, nice, good songs, loud...my ears are ringing. My own fault...should have brought ear plugs...you know how these rockers are...they like to play loud. I have to get an amp....I borrowed Jeff Scott's....his Hot Rod Deluxe. I like it...but it gets...funny at loud volumes. (Don't freak Jeff...I didn't do anything to your amp...) I mean, that particular amp..in my opinion.....gets muddy when you turn it up. Mushy or something....so I get to go amp shoppin' on Saturday. It's frustrating....you have this sound in your head...but can't get it to come out of the amp......or your fingers half the time. It's like trying to say a sentence and forgetting the word....."what's that thing....the thing you put the coffee cup on....umm..in front of the sofa...oh man, it's right at the tip of my tongue........COFFEE TABLE! "
but then your solo is done and your in the third verse and it's all for not.
what was I saying?
gig tomorrow? oh yah, I do....thanks for reminding me.
Gig tomorrow at holy Joe's. ash...holy Joes. The big bop in another of my life times...oddly...I never went, but I remember an ex telling me how she went to the big bop...this was before I moved to Toronto....
wait...what was I saying? Gig tomorrow. Gotta remember that.....or I'll be at home watching tv, the phone will be ringing...( and those of you that know me know I never answer the phone...wish I didn't have it...but sometimes you want to order some food in.....).
Holy Joe's. Tomorrow night....bring some money for drinks......get ready to stay up late...hell, I am......and we can be tired at work on Friday...deal with it. It's the weekend right after that....really..suck it up...and it's a long weekend......
No excuses.
a) Drinks
b) music......free music good dare I say.
c) DRINKS MAN......
ok..that's it.the ball is in your court. I'd like to see you there. I'm personally inviting you to come...
so it's the top floor...don't pay a cover at the 2nd floor...you say, hey I'm going upstairs
May 10, 2007
hmm..the fountains outside my building turn off at 11 pm, and apparently turn on at 7am...useless info I guess. Sorry. Although, if I didn't have a place to live I'd be all over that.
I have not started rehearsing for these gigs coming up with Jeff.....not a note. I'm getting into "I'm screwed" country. And we have a TV thing coming up....I think I mentioned that down there already.....I have no idea what I want my song to be. (we're doing on each you see...). I'm more looking forward to a day off work and lunch afterwards. Although, that coffee was pretty good there last time....ok...the coffee, day off, and lunch.
I have some gigs coming up if you want to check out the shows page....I don't have all the info for all of them yet....(I put them up there I'd say about 75% for me so I can check quick and not double book myself.
Bought some blinds for the windows in here....half for sound, half for privacy.....I don't think anyone can really see in, but if I feel the urge to lay down some guitar tracks down in my underwear....well, let's just say no one wants/needs/has to see that.
I went to home depot last night and got a drill bit, and some hooks and things too....ahhh...feeling very manly until I got to the hooks department....
me, (holding a big hook, and a little hook): "do you have any hooks in between these sizes...I can't seem to find any."
home depot dude: "yup, there right...(walks a few steps), over here.........idiot"
me: "did you just call me an idiot?"
home depot dude: "no, no sir...I said....nice drill bit"
me: "uhhh....oh, umm, ok...thanks for the help"
home depot dude: "need some help finding your ass too rockstar?"
me: "I'm sorry...what???!?"
home depot dude:" I said....do you need some help finding your ass as well.....??? I only ask because the hooks you were looking for were right in front of your eyes....I thought you maybe couldn't find other things that were, to the common eye, pretty obvious........."
...
ok..it didn't really go down like that....I asked, he showed me the hooks, and was really quite friendly about it.....I felt like an idiot, because really, they were right around the corner from where I was....(I think hidden....only moments before though.
....I could probably use some coffee.
May 8, 2007
I just had "Picture Pages" in my head...not sure why...the theme song. Do you remember that, with Bill Cosby?....I think in the middle of Capt. Kangaroo. I don't think anyone under 32 comes to this site...so you should.
Some new shows coming up...the Holy Joe's one on the 17th...me and Jeff, then another on June 16th in new market...another one of those Roger's tv things on June 11, (that's me and Jeff as well...)..and a gig with Amer Diab on June 22 at Mitzi's Sister. Brad Holy from Surf's Up is in that band as well...should be fun....and I actually get to play some guitar, and not have to worry about remembering lyrics so much. We're going to need a bigger amp.
I've been sticking things up on the wall in the studio....."studio"
That implies that I actual do some recording in here..which I have only started on a bit yesterday...and that wasn't the most focused effort I've effort made. Anyway...that's sort of the reason for putting crap on the walls. It started out as an ill fated idea to put up some black studio foam.......not a great idea. Then I have some nice bamboo deals from Ikea....(I don't have to put a link in to Ikea's website do I? I'm sure you internet savvy people can find that....heck, it's probably just Ikea dot see ayyy. (for my Canadian friends..dot com for you international folk. )
Where was I? I don't know..something about a studio....oh yah...I'm getting nothing done in that recording area. I am working on a new web site....and learning songs and getting ready for the summer....(I'm playing bass with surf's up....that's going to be new....)
that's surfsup, not surfsup
October 2006
October 2006
Oct 29, 2006
I just found a really nice review of Tourist on Soulshine.ca.
Oct 28, 2006
ok...just me...or this really orange today?
I booked a gig...January 9th.......2007.
it's going to be me, Jeff Scott and Andrew Charters. but not just each of us up there playing our songs on acoustics....we'll be playing our songs together...I'm bringing my pedal steel, there's going to be some keyboards, acoustic, electric....
I really get bored listening to this Toronto singer/songwriter stuff. Me included....I get bored playing it...so it must be boring to listen to. This is going to be a treat for your ears and emotions. PLUS....it's steak night at Mitzi's Sister.
err..that's where the gig is. check the shows page. right over there to your left. there will be info.
so I'm saying come for the steak...stay for the show.
this is if we can pull of the rehearsals and stuff....blame those other cats if you see no pedal steel on stage.
I just popped in The Commitments. I've been having trouble with my DVD player.
when I say trouble. I mean...it died. So I'm using my play station..and there is no surround sound. Sinful.
I ordered this Sony receiver thing...5.1 Dolby digital II, 600 watt..blah blah. I'm not sure how long it'll take to get here...but I'm missing the speakers already.
man...steak night. I've got a gig...and it's steak night. that just makes me happy.
they have a nice Guinness there too.
You ever think back to you favorite musical experiences? for me..there's a lot playing of course. My first gig, hearing heart break hotel for the first time, my first gig with surfs up, my first bangkok gig..that kind of thing. Seeing Chilliwak believe it or not....at the enlisted mess in Lahr...great.
Playing a one night stand gig in India, playing on staton island...my first gig out of Toronto...in Erin at the busholme inn....first Toronto gig at sneaky dee's....blind river Ontario for some reason stands out. I guess there are a lot.
I was going to go into this one story of hearing Michelle Carr sing with these two acoustic guys on Roncessvilles. ... it was great. I can't stand the rain..is that what she sang? can't remember. I remember a white t-shirt, pretty girl..and this great voice..singing this great song. not sure why I thought of that. I wonder what song that was....
I'm hoping this gig is going to be a monthly thing.
Oct 23, 2006
Walking along the skywalk after work. Pack of teens coming towards me...I hear this:
1st: Uhh..have you ever, like walked into glass that you didn't think was glass?
2nd kid: (short pause) ...no...uhhhhh, have you?
1st kid: (short pause) .....yaaah.
Went to see the Central Nervous System on Friday with Andrew. Great songs, rock and roll guitar, killer drums and tracked bass and keys. Pretty cool. There was a band after, and they were hip...but I didn't hear any songs that stuck in my head. They all had cool guitars though.
Oct 17, 2006
Beard is in full force....not a recorded note in site.
The rain is coming down. I wonder if Barbara Streisand is in town yet. I can't imagine what a woman like that does during the day in Toronto. It's not like she can just walk around Queen street and get some sushi. Yorkville perhaps? Just hanging out in the hotel all day in her pajamas messing around on the computer and playing PS2? (that would probably be more for me.)
ok..those dishes aren't going to wash themselves.
Oct 14, 2006
New webpage. I'm guessing there may be some funky links for a while....and the lyrics part isn't up and running yet.
I'm not sure I can get this cd off the ground next month..it may have to wait until after the holidays. I'm a little bummed out about it. I'm still not going to shave...really just an excuse to be lazy.
Oct 10, 2006
I'm officially dreading going back to work today.
Did some ground work recording on friday....felt the computer had some glitches so I formatted the hard drive. Things seem to be more smoother now. It always takes longer than I think it will.
Oct 6, 2006
I think I'm not going to shave until this new album is done. So worse case scenario, I can start a ZZ Top tribute band.
Oct 4, 2006
I was walking to my class the other evening, (the night of the Motley Crue show which I missed), and the droves of people were walking toward the ACC for the show. (Aerosmith was on the bill as well by the way)
Ok..so in, let's say 1991 Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry had these cool (for the time) kind of....cow print chaps/pants sort of outfit. And when you're a hip guitar playing rock star named Joe Perry, you can get away with that sort of thing. Tight cow pants and a low strung Les Paul are the way to go.
Now, fast forward night of the Crue/Aerosmith show I see this guy walking up to the show...and he has the same kind of pants...or something he made himself. They were kind of baggy, and the guy....well, let's face it...he was no Joe Perry in 1991, and there was not a Les Paul in sight. He just looked like he was wearing the bottom part of a cow costume.
That's the story really....it kind of took me by surprise. He's either had these things for a long time, and has kept immaculate care of them, or there is a store somewhere that is selling cow pants. Or maybe they actually were a cow costumer. I just thought of that now. And the guy with him didn't seem to mind....if I went out with one of my friends and he showed up wearing cow pants...unless we had a time machine, the night would be done.
Oct 2, 2006
I had a fun weekend, well Saturday in Brighton for Rob and Brenda's wedding reception. (They were married on the 17th last month on a cruise...I had to miss that part.) It was a great night....got to see quite a few old friends. And I forgotten how great of musicians my friends and former teachers are.
I stayed at the Presquille beach motel, where I had stayed in 1989 for 3 months or something when we moved back from Germany. (house was being built). It hasn't changed much...kind of weird. No cable or really any tv reception in the room..that was a drag when you come back late to the motel and want to watch some crap before bed. Oh yah, and no clock in the room...it was like a really lame casino. Subsequently I was up and out of the room by 8am.
I'm having a hard time starting this cd. It's like that roller coaster...once you get on and it's clicking up the track....there's no getting off. I've narrowed it down to 3 mics on the drums. (two overheads and a mic on the kick if anyone is interested...) Is this weekend a long weekend? I want to think it is, but that might be too much to hope for. An extra day off work would be nice to gather my thoughts....get something actually done.
Oct 29, 2006
I just found a really nice review of Tourist on Soulshine.ca.
Oct 28, 2006
ok...just me...or this really orange today?
I booked a gig...January 9th.......2007.
it's going to be me, Jeff Scott and Andrew Charters. but not just each of us up there playing our songs on acoustics....we'll be playing our songs together...I'm bringing my pedal steel, there's going to be some keyboards, acoustic, electric....
I really get bored listening to this Toronto singer/songwriter stuff. Me included....I get bored playing it...so it must be boring to listen to. This is going to be a treat for your ears and emotions. PLUS....it's steak night at Mitzi's Sister.
err..that's where the gig is. check the shows page. right over there to your left. there will be info.
so I'm saying come for the steak...stay for the show.
this is if we can pull of the rehearsals and stuff....blame those other cats if you see no pedal steel on stage.
I just popped in The Commitments. I've been having trouble with my DVD player.
when I say trouble. I mean...it died. So I'm using my play station..and there is no surround sound. Sinful.
I ordered this Sony receiver thing...5.1 Dolby digital II, 600 watt..blah blah. I'm not sure how long it'll take to get here...but I'm missing the speakers already.
man...steak night. I've got a gig...and it's steak night. that just makes me happy.
they have a nice Guinness there too.
You ever think back to you favorite musical experiences? for me..there's a lot playing of course. My first gig, hearing heart break hotel for the first time, my first gig with surfs up, my first bangkok gig..that kind of thing. Seeing Chilliwak believe it or not....at the enlisted mess in Lahr...great.
Playing a one night stand gig in India, playing on staton island...my first gig out of Toronto...in Erin at the busholme inn....first Toronto gig at sneaky dee's....blind river Ontario for some reason stands out. I guess there are a lot.
I was going to go into this one story of hearing Michelle Carr sing with these two acoustic guys on Roncessvilles. ... it was great. I can't stand the rain..is that what she sang? can't remember. I remember a white t-shirt, pretty girl..and this great voice..singing this great song. not sure why I thought of that. I wonder what song that was....
I'm hoping this gig is going to be a monthly thing.
Oct 23, 2006
Walking along the skywalk after work. Pack of teens coming towards me...I hear this:
1st: Uhh..have you ever, like walked into glass that you didn't think was glass?
2nd kid: (short pause) ...no...uhhhhh, have you?
1st kid: (short pause) .....yaaah.
Went to see the Central Nervous System on Friday with Andrew. Great songs, rock and roll guitar, killer drums and tracked bass and keys. Pretty cool. There was a band after, and they were hip...but I didn't hear any songs that stuck in my head. They all had cool guitars though.
Oct 17, 2006
Beard is in full force....not a recorded note in site.
The rain is coming down. I wonder if Barbara Streisand is in town yet. I can't imagine what a woman like that does during the day in Toronto. It's not like she can just walk around Queen street and get some sushi. Yorkville perhaps? Just hanging out in the hotel all day in her pajamas messing around on the computer and playing PS2? (that would probably be more for me.)
ok..those dishes aren't going to wash themselves.
Oct 14, 2006
New webpage. I'm guessing there may be some funky links for a while....and the lyrics part isn't up and running yet.
I'm not sure I can get this cd off the ground next month..it may have to wait until after the holidays. I'm a little bummed out about it. I'm still not going to shave...really just an excuse to be lazy.
Oct 10, 2006
I'm officially dreading going back to work today.
Did some ground work recording on friday....felt the computer had some glitches so I formatted the hard drive. Things seem to be more smoother now. It always takes longer than I think it will.
Oct 6, 2006
I think I'm not going to shave until this new album is done. So worse case scenario, I can start a ZZ Top tribute band.
Oct 4, 2006
I was walking to my class the other evening, (the night of the Motley Crue show which I missed), and the droves of people were walking toward the ACC for the show. (Aerosmith was on the bill as well by the way)
Ok..so in, let's say 1991 Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry had these cool (for the time) kind of....cow print chaps/pants sort of outfit. And when you're a hip guitar playing rock star named Joe Perry, you can get away with that sort of thing. Tight cow pants and a low strung Les Paul are the way to go.
Now, fast forward night of the Crue/Aerosmith show I see this guy walking up to the show...and he has the same kind of pants...or something he made himself. They were kind of baggy, and the guy....well, let's face it...he was no Joe Perry in 1991, and there was not a Les Paul in sight. He just looked like he was wearing the bottom part of a cow costume.
That's the story really....it kind of took me by surprise. He's either had these things for a long time, and has kept immaculate care of them, or there is a store somewhere that is selling cow pants. Or maybe they actually were a cow costumer. I just thought of that now. And the guy with him didn't seem to mind....if I went out with one of my friends and he showed up wearing cow pants...unless we had a time machine, the night would be done.
Oct 2, 2006
I had a fun weekend, well Saturday in Brighton for Rob and Brenda's wedding reception. (They were married on the 17th last month on a cruise...I had to miss that part.) It was a great night....got to see quite a few old friends. And I forgotten how great of musicians my friends and former teachers are.
I stayed at the Presquille beach motel, where I had stayed in 1989 for 3 months or something when we moved back from Germany. (house was being built). It hasn't changed much...kind of weird. No cable or really any tv reception in the room..that was a drag when you come back late to the motel and want to watch some crap before bed. Oh yah, and no clock in the room...it was like a really lame casino. Subsequently I was up and out of the room by 8am.
I'm having a hard time starting this cd. It's like that roller coaster...once you get on and it's clicking up the track....there's no getting off. I've narrowed it down to 3 mics on the drums. (two overheads and a mic on the kick if anyone is interested...) Is this weekend a long weekend? I want to think it is, but that might be too much to hope for. An extra day off work would be nice to gather my thoughts....get something actually done.
November 2006
Nov 26, 2006
horrible week last week. Horrible.
Today was cool. Jeff and I finalized his cd artwork. It looks good. And his cd sounds great.....so it'll be a great package. Not only have I done a tonne of work on the cd cover, but I played a fair bit on the cd too...and he really brought out the best in me...guitar/bass/pedal steel....ebow.
Tonight was fun...Mike showed up....we shot the shit, went to dinner, and then wrote a song like the old days. We should do that more, cuz it's a pretty good song. Mike brings out the rocker in me. Or at least the mix 99.9 in me.
Oh...Jeff's guitar turned up. Outside his house. thank you for all your prayers.
why would a courier ...leave a guitar......on the side of the house?
weird. Good thing they weren't delivering a kidney.
And my stereo receiver is kicking. The surround sound is something to behold. I put on Empire Strikes Back this afternoon....and the scene before Han Solo goes out to look for Luke...with the Taun Tauns....sounded like my whole living room was full of sheep. fun.
Nov 23, 2006
One of a musician's worst fears happened to Jeff Scott the other day. Lost a guitar on the flight home. Man, that sucks. I had a strat go to Newfoundland once...but I got it back the next day...apparently they're just saying they have no idea where it is.
if you want...send Jeff a sympathy card here : jeff@jeff-scott.com
who knows? Maybe it'll turn up.
how lame is my life that I have to resort to writing about someone else's activies on my ...blog.
I'm still not too hip on that word.
I did get my new stereo receiver...do they say "hi-fi" anymore? I think I'll say it's "hi-fi" all the same. The thing is...well, the thing that gives me hassles and makes everything messy...speaker cables. I have no idea if there are actual certain kinds or what....and this is the first thing I've owned with banana clips...and just a single ...err..thing for the sub woofer. I usually like to think of myself as pretty audio-savvy, but I'm really not feeling it with this thing.
Lynn was in the kitchen saying "setter up!" and I'm on the living room floor with the empty box, the receiver thing, a tonne of paper work which looked about the size of the Gutenberg bible, and no banana clips. Me...a man of the 21st century.....I should be flying around with a jet pack eating my meals in pills....yet I'm confused over banana clips and how I'm going to get a speaker cable for my sub woofer.
send schematics and/or sympathy cards to shawn@shawnhebb.com
Nov 22, 2006
I'm just not interested in November.
Feeling better finally....I haven't been doing too many creative things, just doodles and a little recording.
That whole thing with the Kramer guy....I don't know. I don't think he's racist, I think he just got mad a guy that was heckling him, and said some stuff that he knew, (or hoped) was going to hurt the guy...and then things got out of hand.
apparently forgot to engage the brain before the mouth.
Perhaps I need a little controversy. Maybe a well placed media feud.
Maybe some more coffee and a little breakfast.
And...in sadder news; A mouse died at my work.
I was getting water, and the little guy was near the water cooler just walking in circles and looking kind of dazed. Very slow circles I should add.
And little twitches. He went off into a room, slumped over an extension cable, and then next day.....belly up.
Of course it then took...the cleaning staff, security or whoever does these things two days to get rid of it. (see how it went from "poor little guy" to "it" in a couple of sentences?
Alive : Cute
Alive and almost dying : poor little guy
Dead : It...someone throw that thing out before we all get some mouse disease.
And...in lighter news; There is a picture of a sheep in the photo section.
and whoa...wha? there's a new Beatles album?
Nov 13, 2006
Whew...I've got a mean cold. Don't feel well..at...all.
drinking lots of liquids, trying to rest...blah. same old stuff. Sweating..lot's of sweating....I think there was a commercial a few years back of a cute kid that had a cold..."very very sweaty" was the big line. yes...yes kid....I believe.
So I've sat on the couch under a blanket watching Hard Day's Night and every single extra on the dvd. I have to say...I really dig Klaus. I think he may turn into my new obsession for a little bit. If anything, I really want to get my hofner set up. It's just hanging on the wall, wanting to be played.
I have some pictures I've taken that I should get up on my site...haven't had any time to really take any pictures lately..let alone look through anything or organize. I'm kind of obsessing over this January gig coming up, and this new cd I'm starting....basically..waiting for Jeff Scott...on both count. I'm doing the drums at his place, and also need to start rehearsing, but he's off on the other side of the world being Buddy Holly. I think I've said it before...I wish there was some famous dude I looked like that I could do a tribute act. But unless Dave Coulier or Jeff Daniels get some heavy marquee value....I got nothing.
....back to the couch.
Nov 7, 2006
I find myself drinking a decaffeinated coffee this morning. I ran out of the regular stuff. not sure I notice a difference....as to the caffeine buzz.
I found charcoal. Right there at the no frills.
I think I may go check out the cows at the royal winter fair this week. (this really must be the most exciting thing to read....yes? )
nothing's going on. It's a lot of going to work, then coming home, messing around on the computer drawing or recording, going to bed...and starting over the next day. I mean..nothing interesting reallly.
I could write how I installed a second soundcard (Yamaha SW1000XG) into my computer but it didn't jive very well with this new computer, and basically when I fired up the programs to record it had a nervous breakdown....so I messed around with different drivers and configurations, but in the end had to take out the card and get some keyboard sounds elsewhere. Which to me was a lovely frustrating morning of cursing under my breath and trying to figure out how to fix it...(which is actually kind of fun...as long as I can actually fix it somehow in the end)
but...hey...unless you like soundcards, drivers or that funny "dang dong dang dang dong" sound you get when you are having problems with midi channels and drum tracks....it may not be your thing.
Nov 2, 2006
It's 7:15 and it's already a 2 coffee morning.....
I was looking for some lyrics for like a rolling stone this morning and this was the first thing that popped up. Even two cups of coffee didn't prepare me for that....err..have the sound up.
no news on a new cd yet. It's always something, mostly money, but in this case..the specific something is christmas. Last year I had just finished a cd, so I kind of blew people off in the presents department. Lumps of coal don't come cheap.
speaking of coal....and not that I've really put my heart into looking, but can a guy not get charcoal briquettes in the winter?
this 2nd cup of coffee is not sitting so great.
horrible week last week. Horrible.
Today was cool. Jeff and I finalized his cd artwork. It looks good. And his cd sounds great.....so it'll be a great package. Not only have I done a tonne of work on the cd cover, but I played a fair bit on the cd too...and he really brought out the best in me...guitar/bass/pedal steel....ebow.
Tonight was fun...Mike showed up....we shot the shit, went to dinner, and then wrote a song like the old days. We should do that more, cuz it's a pretty good song. Mike brings out the rocker in me. Or at least the mix 99.9 in me.
Oh...Jeff's guitar turned up. Outside his house. thank you for all your prayers.
why would a courier ...leave a guitar......on the side of the house?
weird. Good thing they weren't delivering a kidney.
And my stereo receiver is kicking. The surround sound is something to behold. I put on Empire Strikes Back this afternoon....and the scene before Han Solo goes out to look for Luke...with the Taun Tauns....sounded like my whole living room was full of sheep. fun.
Nov 23, 2006
One of a musician's worst fears happened to Jeff Scott the other day. Lost a guitar on the flight home. Man, that sucks. I had a strat go to Newfoundland once...but I got it back the next day...apparently they're just saying they have no idea where it is.
if you want...send Jeff a sympathy card here : jeff@jeff-scott.com
who knows? Maybe it'll turn up.
how lame is my life that I have to resort to writing about someone else's activies on my ...blog.
I'm still not too hip on that word.
I did get my new stereo receiver...do they say "hi-fi" anymore? I think I'll say it's "hi-fi" all the same. The thing is...well, the thing that gives me hassles and makes everything messy...speaker cables. I have no idea if there are actual certain kinds or what....and this is the first thing I've owned with banana clips...and just a single ...err..thing for the sub woofer. I usually like to think of myself as pretty audio-savvy, but I'm really not feeling it with this thing.
Lynn was in the kitchen saying "setter up!" and I'm on the living room floor with the empty box, the receiver thing, a tonne of paper work which looked about the size of the Gutenberg bible, and no banana clips. Me...a man of the 21st century.....I should be flying around with a jet pack eating my meals in pills....yet I'm confused over banana clips and how I'm going to get a speaker cable for my sub woofer.
send schematics and/or sympathy cards to shawn@shawnhebb.com
Nov 22, 2006
I'm just not interested in November.
Feeling better finally....I haven't been doing too many creative things, just doodles and a little recording.
That whole thing with the Kramer guy....I don't know. I don't think he's racist, I think he just got mad a guy that was heckling him, and said some stuff that he knew, (or hoped) was going to hurt the guy...and then things got out of hand.
apparently forgot to engage the brain before the mouth.
Perhaps I need a little controversy. Maybe a well placed media feud.
Maybe some more coffee and a little breakfast.
And...in sadder news; A mouse died at my work.
I was getting water, and the little guy was near the water cooler just walking in circles and looking kind of dazed. Very slow circles I should add.
And little twitches. He went off into a room, slumped over an extension cable, and then next day.....belly up.
Of course it then took...the cleaning staff, security or whoever does these things two days to get rid of it. (see how it went from "poor little guy" to "it" in a couple of sentences?
Alive : Cute
Alive and almost dying : poor little guy
Dead : It...someone throw that thing out before we all get some mouse disease.
And...in lighter news; There is a picture of a sheep in the photo section.
and whoa...wha? there's a new Beatles album?
Nov 13, 2006
Whew...I've got a mean cold. Don't feel well..at...all.
drinking lots of liquids, trying to rest...blah. same old stuff. Sweating..lot's of sweating....I think there was a commercial a few years back of a cute kid that had a cold..."very very sweaty" was the big line. yes...yes kid....I believe.
So I've sat on the couch under a blanket watching Hard Day's Night and every single extra on the dvd. I have to say...I really dig Klaus. I think he may turn into my new obsession for a little bit. If anything, I really want to get my hofner set up. It's just hanging on the wall, wanting to be played.
I have some pictures I've taken that I should get up on my site...haven't had any time to really take any pictures lately..let alone look through anything or organize. I'm kind of obsessing over this January gig coming up, and this new cd I'm starting....basically..waiting for Jeff Scott...on both count. I'm doing the drums at his place, and also need to start rehearsing, but he's off on the other side of the world being Buddy Holly. I think I've said it before...I wish there was some famous dude I looked like that I could do a tribute act. But unless Dave Coulier or Jeff Daniels get some heavy marquee value....I got nothing.
....back to the couch.
Nov 7, 2006
I find myself drinking a decaffeinated coffee this morning. I ran out of the regular stuff. not sure I notice a difference....as to the caffeine buzz.
I found charcoal. Right there at the no frills.
I think I may go check out the cows at the royal winter fair this week. (this really must be the most exciting thing to read....yes? )
nothing's going on. It's a lot of going to work, then coming home, messing around on the computer drawing or recording, going to bed...and starting over the next day. I mean..nothing interesting reallly.
I could write how I installed a second soundcard (Yamaha SW1000XG) into my computer but it didn't jive very well with this new computer, and basically when I fired up the programs to record it had a nervous breakdown....so I messed around with different drivers and configurations, but in the end had to take out the card and get some keyboard sounds elsewhere. Which to me was a lovely frustrating morning of cursing under my breath and trying to figure out how to fix it...(which is actually kind of fun...as long as I can actually fix it somehow in the end)
but...hey...unless you like soundcards, drivers or that funny "dang dong dang dang dong" sound you get when you are having problems with midi channels and drum tracks....it may not be your thing.
Nov 2, 2006
It's 7:15 and it's already a 2 coffee morning.....
I was looking for some lyrics for like a rolling stone this morning and this was the first thing that popped up. Even two cups of coffee didn't prepare me for that....err..have the sound up.
no news on a new cd yet. It's always something, mostly money, but in this case..the specific something is christmas. Last year I had just finished a cd, so I kind of blew people off in the presents department. Lumps of coal don't come cheap.
speaking of coal....and not that I've really put my heart into looking, but can a guy not get charcoal briquettes in the winter?
this 2nd cup of coffee is not sitting so great.
December 2006
Dec 28, 2006
I rebooked a gig....Feb 6th, 2007. Mitzi's Sister. I'll bug you about it later.
This new year I plan for you and me both to be sick of me playing gigs. Then I can finally put the music crap to bed perhaps. Who knows.
I'm sick of this website.....I'll make something new when I get back from Nova Scotia....I'm still at the folks you see...and computer time is limited.
Almost new years...but you know that. Not sure what Lynn and I are doing.....hanging out in Halifax for sure, just not sure what we're doing. I, personally...hate over planning. I know I don't want to see some shit top 40 band and a table full of jive hats.
I think I'm still full.
Dec 26, 2006
holy crap...I'm still full. We went to my Aunt Liz and Uncle Glen's yesterday for dinner....even jammed a bit with my aunt...that was fun. We dug out the ukes.
Other than that...doing nothing. I could say "pre production" for recording....I have no game plan for starting yet..but I have to get ready to go into the studio on the 13th. I'm more thinking about moving really....I'm getting really excited about it. Moving in with a pretty girl in a new part of town....
James Brown is dead....I'm getting a little tired of hearing about it to be honest.
Dec 25, 2006
Merry Christmas.
all the coffee is gone and presents are opened.
Hope you have a nice day, and a great new year.
Dec 22, 2006
I'm in Nova Scotia...
ate deer steak tonight, looked at the ocean, got a haircut.
I think this summer I'm just going to work on the carnival with my dad, and write me some carnival songs.
....now, I've had a couple of beer...but I'm standing by that.
I just want to play guitar....and not....jive....brickhouse guitar...or brown eyed girl guitar...some music.
I want to play music...I want to write music....be creative. My job sucks ass. I know, some of you are saying...leave your job.
I would too. But it's not that easy. So, get off my back.
or get me a cool job that I can work 9 to 5....get paid this much, have these benefits, and all that other crap.
until then...I complain about my job....and try to go to school and play some music.
errr..where was I ?
hmmm.....we drove to nova Scotia from Toronto this time around...man, what a long drive. fun though. stopped in Quebec and felt like a tourist.
.....
had to order a sub along the way...I pointed and grunted. And got a 12 inch Thon sub. nice. the 12 of Budweiser at the store next door was a little easier, but not much.
It's just nice to be home....I'm looking forward to Christmas...I haven't....gotten excited about it in a while. I can't wait to open up presents. I've already got a couple ...the tuner, and then the pedal steel case. PEDAL STEEL CASE. cool. I can do gigs. tell your friends....I can take my pedal steel outside.
do you need a pedal steel player that sucks? call me!
oh...this is more for Gordon.
My Christmas shopping is done. I had to cuz I was leaving. I can pick up a few more things here..but nothing major..all is done..just needs to be wrapped.
I just want to open my presents.
ok..I'm getting some cookies.
oh....I think I have a gig feb 6th.
be there...or be square.
Dec 15, 2006
the Jan 9th gig fell through. Apparently "some wires were crossed".
Kirsten who was also on the bill, her friend lives next door the bar, mentioned the gig...and the guy booking...had no idea.
So..when I hear "wires got crossed...", I hear that as "the guy booking didn't write it down after our conversation on the phone"
So..no gig on Jan 9th.
What a fantastic way to start the day....
I do have a new coffee machine that, upon taste testing as I type....is pretty good. So that's something. I got up early to make some posters for the gig....good thing I didn't. First time in my life my laziness paid off.
Dec 10, 2006
let me start by saying...there are many things in my life that I've bought, or had bought for me, that I've thought are really, really cool. Off the top of my head....my old Atari 2600, and then Atari 800....my first electric guitar....my Ibanez jem...umm.
oh...surround sound........my Dad got me a DVD player/surround sound system.....amazes me, and makes me happy every time something whizzes by my head. Oh..and the tape deck my dad bought me at towers in ...let's say 1980. $40. Forty bucks...."would you like one of those...?" he asked.
Yah. boom..bought it. I had this great tape deck. I could tape say, super tramp...and listen to it in my room with my little radio shack disco lights....boom...very cool. Could tape myself playing my crappy little "satin steel" drum set. one of my all time favorite gifts.
anyway ...cool stuff. I went to Costco the other day....wasn't' going for anything....renewing the member ship..maybe an 8 litre bottle of Tabasco..
and what where they selling but a set of wireless playstation controllers.
let me say it again.
Wireless Playstation controllers.
I can be in a room....and not see the tv...yet control the playstation.
in surround sound.
kick my ass man..that's cool.
And the satin steel drum set. that was my Santa Claus test. I told my mom..ok...bullshit..there is no Santa.....I'm writing the letter, and asking for what I want....I want to see you put it in the envelope, seal it...and let's mail it....and we'll see how it plays out.
Satin Steel drum set. are you kidding me??? no one saw it...I told no one.. I wrote it...it went in an envelope....it was mailed...I got a drum set.
ok..backstage. I seal the envelope..we mail it.......3 hours later, my mom goes to the post office and says..looks...my son just mailed a letter to santa...I have to go through ALL the letters to find out what he wants.
err....there's no little kids reading this..right?
there is a Santa kids...he just looks an awful lot like my mom...and he still exists.
....the drum set......that might have been the year she did the crazy.....pencil over the writing pad to see what I wrote before had. either way...my mother is sneaky...and can't be trusted.
...where was I going with this?
WIRELESS PS2 CONTROLLER.
damn..that's cool.
oh..and ...gig on Jan 9th.
go to it. I'm on second. solo....new Shawn...2007 Shawn. maybe even harmonica.....yah. new songs.....longer beard. umm..there's steak.
shit man...maybe I'll quit my job and do catering?
maybe.
Dec 9, 2006
I forgot to update the archives. The archives are updated.
And for those of you looking for Christmas presents for me.......(and I'm looking at you Mom)
Beatles..new album... 2 disc package with the 5.1 thing.
Superman 2. Richard D. version...or both. (3 and 4 not necessary...on the account that they are complete and utter crap... I'm talking Jar Jar crap.)
Lynn and I went to sign papers on our new apartment today. So unless something goes really weird....I'll be moving soon.
And I think we are contemplating a joint birthday party....late Feb/early March. At a yet undisclosed location. But there is talk of tex mex, karaoke, drinks, and laughter. We were thinking how hip it would be to have some Atari 2600's going on large screen...no promises. But really..how cool would that be?
....and yes......for those in the know.......that is right next to Geoffrey Tyler's place.
Dec 7, 2006
ok...November out of the way...and soon 2006. good...let's get some work done.
I saw on tv Xerox is coming out with a photocopy machine that uses light instead of ink....(umm..or something like that...).
So after two days the info fades away, and you can use the paper again.
What a fantastic idea....I mean it disgusts and angers me
how much paper is wasted where I work. And I'm guilty of wasting my share by printing out the same boring report to get some, what appears to me,
useless data that no one seems to do anything with.
I was thinking...there should be a few hundred acres somewhere in the world...or thousand..whatever...someone would have to work that out.
but that's the paper trees. I guess you'd have to have a few that some could be growing and some are for harvesting. So when the years supply is
gone...no more paper until the other ones are ready for harvest. I think we'd think more about how much we throw away so freely.
Probably could do that with animals that we eat. I'm all for eating meat...what I'm not into is the mass amounts that are killed on the chance
that people will or will not eat it. perhaps you should have to order your food for the month/year...and when it's gone...you eat vegetables.
cars too...why are cars being made...constantly? you want a car..you order a car. it gets made...you pick it up. we're too wasteful.
I'm ranting and preaching and have no right really....I'm wasteful....but it seems I'm encouraged to be wasteful by our society. Plastic wrapped candies
individually wrapped in another container that is wrapped in more plastic and then the whole thing wrapped in some sort of plastic.
I'm babbling....and have no idea what I'm talking about. I say put on a plastic suit, ride a cow to a car dealership, throw out the suit, kill the cow, eat half and throw the other half out. write "cow" on the corner of 100 pieces of paper, then throw that out...and drive away in the biggest car you can afford....if you're lucky..you can get home in time for something good on tv. Order in, and make sure to ask for extra forks.
....and buy my cd....it's wrapped in plastic.
Dec 6, 2006
I caught up with Adam Warner last night at the Red Lion here in Toronto. Adam mentioned a friend of his who was playing there, and if I wanted to check him out. Corin Raymond treated us to a set of some of the best songs I've heard in a long time. Man. The guy is really everything I'd like to be in a songwriter/singer and performer. Songs that really put you in the moment...some made me belly laugh. It was really inspiring to see a guy diving into his music....not just while performing either...I'm saying...in life. I thought Adam did, and always looked up to him for that...and he does, don't get me wrong....but Corin..man...this guy has a vision. And it doesn't involve wanting to be some Britney Nickleblunt....defiantly gave me something to think about.
I rebooked a gig....Feb 6th, 2007. Mitzi's Sister. I'll bug you about it later.
This new year I plan for you and me both to be sick of me playing gigs. Then I can finally put the music crap to bed perhaps. Who knows.
I'm sick of this website.....I'll make something new when I get back from Nova Scotia....I'm still at the folks you see...and computer time is limited.
Almost new years...but you know that. Not sure what Lynn and I are doing.....hanging out in Halifax for sure, just not sure what we're doing. I, personally...hate over planning. I know I don't want to see some shit top 40 band and a table full of jive hats.
I think I'm still full.
Dec 26, 2006
holy crap...I'm still full. We went to my Aunt Liz and Uncle Glen's yesterday for dinner....even jammed a bit with my aunt...that was fun. We dug out the ukes.
Other than that...doing nothing. I could say "pre production" for recording....I have no game plan for starting yet..but I have to get ready to go into the studio on the 13th. I'm more thinking about moving really....I'm getting really excited about it. Moving in with a pretty girl in a new part of town....
James Brown is dead....I'm getting a little tired of hearing about it to be honest.
Dec 25, 2006
Merry Christmas.
all the coffee is gone and presents are opened.
Hope you have a nice day, and a great new year.
Dec 22, 2006
I'm in Nova Scotia...
ate deer steak tonight, looked at the ocean, got a haircut.
I think this summer I'm just going to work on the carnival with my dad, and write me some carnival songs.
....now, I've had a couple of beer...but I'm standing by that.
I just want to play guitar....and not....jive....brickhouse guitar...or brown eyed girl guitar...some music.
I want to play music...I want to write music....be creative. My job sucks ass. I know, some of you are saying...leave your job.
I would too. But it's not that easy. So, get off my back.
or get me a cool job that I can work 9 to 5....get paid this much, have these benefits, and all that other crap.
until then...I complain about my job....and try to go to school and play some music.
errr..where was I ?
hmmm.....we drove to nova Scotia from Toronto this time around...man, what a long drive. fun though. stopped in Quebec and felt like a tourist.
.....
had to order a sub along the way...I pointed and grunted. And got a 12 inch Thon sub. nice. the 12 of Budweiser at the store next door was a little easier, but not much.
It's just nice to be home....I'm looking forward to Christmas...I haven't....gotten excited about it in a while. I can't wait to open up presents. I've already got a couple ...the tuner, and then the pedal steel case. PEDAL STEEL CASE. cool. I can do gigs. tell your friends....I can take my pedal steel outside.
do you need a pedal steel player that sucks? call me!
oh...this is more for Gordon.
My Christmas shopping is done. I had to cuz I was leaving. I can pick up a few more things here..but nothing major..all is done..just needs to be wrapped.
I just want to open my presents.
ok..I'm getting some cookies.
oh....I think I have a gig feb 6th.
be there...or be square.
Dec 15, 2006
the Jan 9th gig fell through. Apparently "some wires were crossed".
Kirsten who was also on the bill, her friend lives next door the bar, mentioned the gig...and the guy booking...had no idea.
So..when I hear "wires got crossed...", I hear that as "the guy booking didn't write it down after our conversation on the phone"
So..no gig on Jan 9th.
What a fantastic way to start the day....
I do have a new coffee machine that, upon taste testing as I type....is pretty good. So that's something. I got up early to make some posters for the gig....good thing I didn't. First time in my life my laziness paid off.
Dec 10, 2006
let me start by saying...there are many things in my life that I've bought, or had bought for me, that I've thought are really, really cool. Off the top of my head....my old Atari 2600, and then Atari 800....my first electric guitar....my Ibanez jem...umm.
oh...surround sound........my Dad got me a DVD player/surround sound system.....amazes me, and makes me happy every time something whizzes by my head. Oh..and the tape deck my dad bought me at towers in ...let's say 1980. $40. Forty bucks...."would you like one of those...?" he asked.
Yah. boom..bought it. I had this great tape deck. I could tape say, super tramp...and listen to it in my room with my little radio shack disco lights....boom...very cool. Could tape myself playing my crappy little "satin steel" drum set. one of my all time favorite gifts.
anyway ...cool stuff. I went to Costco the other day....wasn't' going for anything....renewing the member ship..maybe an 8 litre bottle of Tabasco..
and what where they selling but a set of wireless playstation controllers.
let me say it again.
Wireless Playstation controllers.
I can be in a room....and not see the tv...yet control the playstation.
in surround sound.
kick my ass man..that's cool.
And the satin steel drum set. that was my Santa Claus test. I told my mom..ok...bullshit..there is no Santa.....I'm writing the letter, and asking for what I want....I want to see you put it in the envelope, seal it...and let's mail it....and we'll see how it plays out.
Satin Steel drum set. are you kidding me??? no one saw it...I told no one.. I wrote it...it went in an envelope....it was mailed...I got a drum set.
ok..backstage. I seal the envelope..we mail it.......3 hours later, my mom goes to the post office and says..looks...my son just mailed a letter to santa...I have to go through ALL the letters to find out what he wants.
err....there's no little kids reading this..right?
there is a Santa kids...he just looks an awful lot like my mom...and he still exists.
....the drum set......that might have been the year she did the crazy.....pencil over the writing pad to see what I wrote before had. either way...my mother is sneaky...and can't be trusted.
...where was I going with this?
WIRELESS PS2 CONTROLLER.
damn..that's cool.
oh..and ...gig on Jan 9th.
go to it. I'm on second. solo....new Shawn...2007 Shawn. maybe even harmonica.....yah. new songs.....longer beard. umm..there's steak.
shit man...maybe I'll quit my job and do catering?
maybe.
Dec 9, 2006
I forgot to update the archives. The archives are updated.
And for those of you looking for Christmas presents for me.......(and I'm looking at you Mom)
Beatles..new album... 2 disc package with the 5.1 thing.
Superman 2. Richard D. version...or both. (3 and 4 not necessary...on the account that they are complete and utter crap... I'm talking Jar Jar crap.)
Lynn and I went to sign papers on our new apartment today. So unless something goes really weird....I'll be moving soon.
And I think we are contemplating a joint birthday party....late Feb/early March. At a yet undisclosed location. But there is talk of tex mex, karaoke, drinks, and laughter. We were thinking how hip it would be to have some Atari 2600's going on large screen...no promises. But really..how cool would that be?
....and yes......for those in the know.......that is right next to Geoffrey Tyler's place.
Dec 7, 2006
ok...November out of the way...and soon 2006. good...let's get some work done.
I saw on tv Xerox is coming out with a photocopy machine that uses light instead of ink....(umm..or something like that...).
So after two days the info fades away, and you can use the paper again.
What a fantastic idea....I mean it disgusts and angers me
how much paper is wasted where I work. And I'm guilty of wasting my share by printing out the same boring report to get some, what appears to me,
useless data that no one seems to do anything with.
I was thinking...there should be a few hundred acres somewhere in the world...or thousand..whatever...someone would have to work that out.
but that's the paper trees. I guess you'd have to have a few that some could be growing and some are for harvesting. So when the years supply is
gone...no more paper until the other ones are ready for harvest. I think we'd think more about how much we throw away so freely.
Probably could do that with animals that we eat. I'm all for eating meat...what I'm not into is the mass amounts that are killed on the chance
that people will or will not eat it. perhaps you should have to order your food for the month/year...and when it's gone...you eat vegetables.
cars too...why are cars being made...constantly? you want a car..you order a car. it gets made...you pick it up. we're too wasteful.
I'm ranting and preaching and have no right really....I'm wasteful....but it seems I'm encouraged to be wasteful by our society. Plastic wrapped candies
individually wrapped in another container that is wrapped in more plastic and then the whole thing wrapped in some sort of plastic.
I'm babbling....and have no idea what I'm talking about. I say put on a plastic suit, ride a cow to a car dealership, throw out the suit, kill the cow, eat half and throw the other half out. write "cow" on the corner of 100 pieces of paper, then throw that out...and drive away in the biggest car you can afford....if you're lucky..you can get home in time for something good on tv. Order in, and make sure to ask for extra forks.
....and buy my cd....it's wrapped in plastic.
Dec 6, 2006
I caught up with Adam Warner last night at the Red Lion here in Toronto. Adam mentioned a friend of his who was playing there, and if I wanted to check him out. Corin Raymond treated us to a set of some of the best songs I've heard in a long time. Man. The guy is really everything I'd like to be in a songwriter/singer and performer. Songs that really put you in the moment...some made me belly laugh. It was really inspiring to see a guy diving into his music....not just while performing either...I'm saying...in life. I thought Adam did, and always looked up to him for that...and he does, don't get me wrong....but Corin..man...this guy has a vision. And it doesn't involve wanting to be some Britney Nickleblunt....defiantly gave me something to think about.
February 2007
Feb 27, 2007
We didn't have a Surf's Up rehearsal last night. This promoter keeps moving the date of his event around. Fine by me I guess. That means this Saturday I get to take a stab at organizing my share of this apartment...which hasn't been stellar so far.
Also got a chance to move more stuff out of the old place...well, clean there. I think I finally grabbed the last of the important stuff. (a Jimi Hendrix litho, and my Ms. Pac Man thing.) It's the cleaning of the place now...getting rid of the junk. slow going. I still have to figure out how to dismantle the old computer desk. And if my first attempt is any indication of how that'll go...it's not going to be pretty.
I'm also supposed to paint it a neutral colour....well, at least put primer on it. I'm not seeing that happening with the time factor involved. When I moved in there, nothing was done at all...the walls had a thick greasy yellow film on them from nicotine and cooking, the place was a mess....so part of me wants to drop off the keys and just move on. I really want to get recording some new stuff...How can I set up microphones and cables when the star wars figures aren't in the right spots yet?
Feb 20, 2007
We had a Surf's Up rehearsal last night.....always fun. (95% of the time I'd say fun..yes) It's funny...I kind of forgot a lot of the staple songs, and nailed the harder ones that I usually kank through. Or is Kank with a C? I'm not sure if that's even a word...or if I'm using it right. To Kank is to mess up....and mess up badly.
Umm....I just looked it up. I don't think I should use that word anymore....and I really don't want to be spelling it with a C.
err...right...ok.....so rehearsal last night. We decided to grab a beer or two afterwards, but the little pub near the rehearsal place was closed...so we all got in cars and decided to hit Queen street...see if we could find anything. A wrong turn by the lead car, (Jeff and Me....probably more me) got us on the DVP going north.....and apparently when you get on that thing going north....you better be committed to going north.
So...up at Broadview and Danforth.....we end up in a nice little place. It's funny in a way....Guy thought we actually meant to go there. Nope...wrong turn. The place was empty...nice...talked about cd sales, 8 track cassettes, iTunes, and music in general.
Where am I going with this.....I should get breakfast. Still fighting a cold as well.....but lemme tell you....Dayquil. wow.
I'm not sure if it's legal...but I like it.
Hmm...Dayquil comes up in spellcheck.
Feb 18, 2007
I have a cold that is kicking my ass a little bit. I hate being sick.
But then...not too many people enjoy it, that I know of anyway.
things are coming along in this new place...coffee table here, rug there, books over there....
Bell still giving me problems. If a technician...a level 1 ever tells you to "uncheck all those boxes.....now press ok"........don't.
It fixed the problem with the internet....oh yes indeed it deed......until I rebooted my computer and not only could I not get online, but I had no access to half my programs.
A quick reboot later.....and when I say quick....yah, actually went ok. Apparently HP came up with a way to format part of your computer, so you don't lose files.....some programs got reverted back...(anti virus, works...), but that was a pain in the ass more than a real inconvenience.
what was I talking about?
It's this cold. mucks up the head.
I'm waiting for Andrew to get here.....going to bring the final dregs of my crap from the old apartment. Most I think will get thrown out..but I want the plants. One load..then there better be beer and shopping for computer junk we don't really need.
Feb 14, 2007
well, happy valentine's day......you rascals.
An open letter to Bell, both internet and phone;
"Dear Bell.....you suck"
I call......again to try to get my computer hooked up with no wires to the internet...because they want to charge me close to $100 to look at the phone jack in the room with the computer. for lack of a better word..let's call it, the studio.
So I thought...ok..modem can go in the other room with the phone jack, and I'll just go wireless. So I called to get the little code I have to put in. I did this once before for a laptop, and it took maybe 5 minutes.
Now they outsource to India and it's like talking to a robot. That's not to say anything bad about people in India. It's just they have to follow such a strict script that it's like talking to a robot. And I don't mind robots if they can fix my problem. But these seemingly....can't.
"So Mr. Shawn....did you have an excellent day"
"So Mr. Shawn......what is the climate now in Canada"
oh...I had a #*$%! fantastic day....keeps getting better...and should I give you the weather west to east, or east to west?"
Then, nearing the end of our 30 minute call....I'm informed that Belltron 2007 can't actually take me to the next level..(and to be frank, the first level had not impressed me all that much.)
"Mr. Shawn....I'm going to have to put you through to a 2nd level technician...."
(I'm put on hold for 3-5 minutes.)
"Mr. Shawn....there are no level 2 technicians available right now....I can get one to call you within two hours."
"Mr. Shawn...how would you rate my service this evening......?"
If the goal was to raise my blood pressure, and not fix my problem...I'd say you did a bang up freaking job my man...just bang freaking up. I think I actually thanked him for his time.
Feb 13, 2007
There are some more pictures on my flickr site by the way. Craig at work mentioned in a not so subtle way that I don't exactly put a lot of pictures up. I reckon he has a point...so there are more pictures....stuff around the apartment mostly...new plates, chairs being put together, cake...that kind of thing.
so there you go.
Feb 12, 2007
son of a bitch that took a long time. I am less than impressed with Bell.
so...what's shaking?
what did I miss?
no....I have not been working on the new album.
I've been moving. And it sucks.
I did a gig at Mitzi's a little while back. It was fun. Kirsten Jones was the star of the night man...she's great. Andrew was a close 2nd. It was my first time meeting Kirsten...charming, funny...great songs, great voice....man.
there are no wires hooked up to my gear yet....my guitars are all in the closet...what a mess in here. yet...very comforting. Haven't said goodbye to the old apartment yet...still has a tonne of crap in it. sifting...shifting.....some heavy lifting. But soon.
oh..and I lied......my apartment building is not called the winchester. It's the Westchester. Still pretty cool....but not as cool as Winchester. One thing I know....Anxiety closet studio is closed.
ok...I'm whipped. going to read....sit on the couch...watch the city rumble by outside my window.
Feb 1, 2007
Well....that form didn't work at all.
Moving some stuff to the apartment today. It's also "My phone and internet get cut off at my current place and shifted over to the new place day".
....we'll see. Bell hasn't overly impressed me with service as of yet.
I'll just be glad when it's over and done and I'll be settled. There is still some painting to do...plus getting movers...maybe that's easier than I'm making for myself.
Step 1: Call movers
Step 2: Watch people move stuff.
There are some little details on getting the elevators booked...but I think that's about it. Why does it seem so stressful?
I haven't played guitar in ages it feels like...no guitars here, and with nothing in the new apartment....it's called the Winchester by the way....how cool is that? I love that my building has a name to it. There is only one that I would have liked...it's in mimico, and called Surf.
But...it's in Mimico. So I'm more than happy to have my building be called the Winchester. I may get a cowboy outfit. Anyway....with nothing in the apartment it's all echo-y, and sounds like crap. That'll be an excuse whenever I suck at a gig...."there's an echo in here...must be"
We didn't have a Surf's Up rehearsal last night. This promoter keeps moving the date of his event around. Fine by me I guess. That means this Saturday I get to take a stab at organizing my share of this apartment...which hasn't been stellar so far.
Also got a chance to move more stuff out of the old place...well, clean there. I think I finally grabbed the last of the important stuff. (a Jimi Hendrix litho, and my Ms. Pac Man thing.) It's the cleaning of the place now...getting rid of the junk. slow going. I still have to figure out how to dismantle the old computer desk. And if my first attempt is any indication of how that'll go...it's not going to be pretty.
I'm also supposed to paint it a neutral colour....well, at least put primer on it. I'm not seeing that happening with the time factor involved. When I moved in there, nothing was done at all...the walls had a thick greasy yellow film on them from nicotine and cooking, the place was a mess....so part of me wants to drop off the keys and just move on. I really want to get recording some new stuff...How can I set up microphones and cables when the star wars figures aren't in the right spots yet?
Feb 20, 2007
We had a Surf's Up rehearsal last night.....always fun. (95% of the time I'd say fun..yes) It's funny...I kind of forgot a lot of the staple songs, and nailed the harder ones that I usually kank through. Or is Kank with a C? I'm not sure if that's even a word...or if I'm using it right. To Kank is to mess up....and mess up badly.
Umm....I just looked it up. I don't think I should use that word anymore....and I really don't want to be spelling it with a C.
err...right...ok.....so rehearsal last night. We decided to grab a beer or two afterwards, but the little pub near the rehearsal place was closed...so we all got in cars and decided to hit Queen street...see if we could find anything. A wrong turn by the lead car, (Jeff and Me....probably more me) got us on the DVP going north.....and apparently when you get on that thing going north....you better be committed to going north.
So...up at Broadview and Danforth.....we end up in a nice little place. It's funny in a way....Guy thought we actually meant to go there. Nope...wrong turn. The place was empty...nice...talked about cd sales, 8 track cassettes, iTunes, and music in general.
Where am I going with this.....I should get breakfast. Still fighting a cold as well.....but lemme tell you....Dayquil. wow.
I'm not sure if it's legal...but I like it.
Hmm...Dayquil comes up in spellcheck.
Feb 18, 2007
I have a cold that is kicking my ass a little bit. I hate being sick.
But then...not too many people enjoy it, that I know of anyway.
things are coming along in this new place...coffee table here, rug there, books over there....
Bell still giving me problems. If a technician...a level 1 ever tells you to "uncheck all those boxes.....now press ok"........don't.
It fixed the problem with the internet....oh yes indeed it deed......until I rebooted my computer and not only could I not get online, but I had no access to half my programs.
A quick reboot later.....and when I say quick....yah, actually went ok. Apparently HP came up with a way to format part of your computer, so you don't lose files.....some programs got reverted back...(anti virus, works...), but that was a pain in the ass more than a real inconvenience.
what was I talking about?
It's this cold. mucks up the head.
I'm waiting for Andrew to get here.....going to bring the final dregs of my crap from the old apartment. Most I think will get thrown out..but I want the plants. One load..then there better be beer and shopping for computer junk we don't really need.
Feb 14, 2007
well, happy valentine's day......you rascals.
An open letter to Bell, both internet and phone;
"Dear Bell.....you suck"
I call......again to try to get my computer hooked up with no wires to the internet...because they want to charge me close to $100 to look at the phone jack in the room with the computer. for lack of a better word..let's call it, the studio.
So I thought...ok..modem can go in the other room with the phone jack, and I'll just go wireless. So I called to get the little code I have to put in. I did this once before for a laptop, and it took maybe 5 minutes.
Now they outsource to India and it's like talking to a robot. That's not to say anything bad about people in India. It's just they have to follow such a strict script that it's like talking to a robot. And I don't mind robots if they can fix my problem. But these seemingly....can't.
"So Mr. Shawn....did you have an excellent day"
"So Mr. Shawn......what is the climate now in Canada"
oh...I had a #*$%! fantastic day....keeps getting better...and should I give you the weather west to east, or east to west?"
Then, nearing the end of our 30 minute call....I'm informed that Belltron 2007 can't actually take me to the next level..(and to be frank, the first level had not impressed me all that much.)
"Mr. Shawn....I'm going to have to put you through to a 2nd level technician...."
(I'm put on hold for 3-5 minutes.)
"Mr. Shawn....there are no level 2 technicians available right now....I can get one to call you within two hours."
"Mr. Shawn...how would you rate my service this evening......?"
If the goal was to raise my blood pressure, and not fix my problem...I'd say you did a bang up freaking job my man...just bang freaking up. I think I actually thanked him for his time.
Feb 13, 2007
There are some more pictures on my flickr site by the way. Craig at work mentioned in a not so subtle way that I don't exactly put a lot of pictures up. I reckon he has a point...so there are more pictures....stuff around the apartment mostly...new plates, chairs being put together, cake...that kind of thing.
so there you go.
Feb 12, 2007
son of a bitch that took a long time. I am less than impressed with Bell.
so...what's shaking?
what did I miss?
no....I have not been working on the new album.
I've been moving. And it sucks.
I did a gig at Mitzi's a little while back. It was fun. Kirsten Jones was the star of the night man...she's great. Andrew was a close 2nd. It was my first time meeting Kirsten...charming, funny...great songs, great voice....man.
there are no wires hooked up to my gear yet....my guitars are all in the closet...what a mess in here. yet...very comforting. Haven't said goodbye to the old apartment yet...still has a tonne of crap in it. sifting...shifting.....some heavy lifting. But soon.
oh..and I lied......my apartment building is not called the winchester. It's the Westchester. Still pretty cool....but not as cool as Winchester. One thing I know....Anxiety closet studio is closed.
ok...I'm whipped. going to read....sit on the couch...watch the city rumble by outside my window.
Feb 1, 2007
Well....that form didn't work at all.
Moving some stuff to the apartment today. It's also "My phone and internet get cut off at my current place and shifted over to the new place day".
....we'll see. Bell hasn't overly impressed me with service as of yet.
I'll just be glad when it's over and done and I'll be settled. There is still some painting to do...plus getting movers...maybe that's easier than I'm making for myself.
Step 1: Call movers
Step 2: Watch people move stuff.
There are some little details on getting the elevators booked...but I think that's about it. Why does it seem so stressful?
I haven't played guitar in ages it feels like...no guitars here, and with nothing in the new apartment....it's called the Winchester by the way....how cool is that? I love that my building has a name to it. There is only one that I would have liked...it's in mimico, and called Surf.
But...it's in Mimico. So I'm more than happy to have my building be called the Winchester. I may get a cowboy outfit. Anyway....with nothing in the apartment it's all echo-y, and sounds like crap. That'll be an excuse whenever I suck at a gig...."there's an echo in here...must be"
March 2007
March 28, 2007
I don't know what it is...but crazy crazy dreams as of late.
I've been spending my time between work, practicing for this gig, (and hopefully the many more after), just playing guitar in general and working on this animation program.
As far as the animation thing...I'm having the hardest time just making a guy walk. I can make a guy move across the screen and flay his arms and legs around..sure.....easy enough - but to actually make the thing look like it's walking....no go as of yet.
I hate to say it, but I appreciate Jar Jar Binks a little more as of late.
"As of Late"...that must be my new phrase. I'm smelling an album title.
I think the thing with this computer animation stuff....it's very cool, when you're into it...but I think other people don't care. They just want a good story. So I could spend 2 hours to make a guy walk around on the screen....sure, but he's not really doing anything. I guess the same could go for music....."hey, we doubled the cello and recorded the piano in true stereo and did you check out my sweet guitar tone and blah blah...."
yah, but it's a crap song so who cares?
not sure where I was going with that. hmm....well, I think my underlying thought is....why spend a tonne of bread to make a new cd...getting it mastered here, pressed there....all this stuff, when if it's something someone wants to listen to...they'd be happy with a CD-R and a hand drawn cd cover. (maybe that's a bit extreme.) It's not like my stuff is all over the radio and needs the pristine 48 track super mastered by Bob Ludwig.....
wow...I'm heading into super babbling mode.
March 27, 2007
Monday. here we go. The last thing I dreamt about before I woke up was a huge truck trying to put down a carnival ride or something, and there were cats right where the driver wanted to put the wheel. I keep trying to move them before they got squished. I saw some squirrel who got hit yesterday on the road...must have been that. Then something about a water park...and I was telling someone how you get up on your shoulders and heels and that makes you go faster....Someone butted in and said, no, that only worked in the States now....and that all the water parks in Canada have special coating on the slides so people wouldn't try that.
yah..not sure what all that means.
I keep forgetting I have to do my taxes. I'd be done by now if it was just the job thing and done. With the music stuff...it's count this receipt here, write or that off...can I write this or that off. Then take it in to someone....I can't even manage to get a proper haircut.
March 23, 2007
crap...fire alarm is going off.
I was thinking this morning whoever said money does not buy happiness either was rich and just unhappy or poor with no imagination.
Mar 19, 2007
hello? Anybody there?
Finally....finally have internet. It was set up yesterday, but I also got cable, and to be honest - I'm slightly addicted to TV. Seinfeld and the Simpsons are constantly running on one channel or another, I got to see 3 episodes of surreal life back to back, and 2.5 or so of Gene Simmon's show. what else? Oh, I can turn on channel 59 and look at my front lobby....
Jeff and I have been hard at work rehearsing for the April 5th gig at Free Times. (you all should come....really.)
semi settled in at the new place. a couple of things on the wall..surround sound....surrounding. No work on the new album. none at all. no interest right now..but I should get my crap together.....maybe....shortly.
New site hopefully soon. Although, finding the time to work on things seems hard. not sure why...I'm not really doing anything differently......maybe it's living with someone. either way, I just don't seem to have the time to goof around as much.
I don't know what it is...but crazy crazy dreams as of late.
I've been spending my time between work, practicing for this gig, (and hopefully the many more after), just playing guitar in general and working on this animation program.
As far as the animation thing...I'm having the hardest time just making a guy walk. I can make a guy move across the screen and flay his arms and legs around..sure.....easy enough - but to actually make the thing look like it's walking....no go as of yet.
I hate to say it, but I appreciate Jar Jar Binks a little more as of late.
"As of Late"...that must be my new phrase. I'm smelling an album title.
I think the thing with this computer animation stuff....it's very cool, when you're into it...but I think other people don't care. They just want a good story. So I could spend 2 hours to make a guy walk around on the screen....sure, but he's not really doing anything. I guess the same could go for music....."hey, we doubled the cello and recorded the piano in true stereo and did you check out my sweet guitar tone and blah blah...."
yah, but it's a crap song so who cares?
not sure where I was going with that. hmm....well, I think my underlying thought is....why spend a tonne of bread to make a new cd...getting it mastered here, pressed there....all this stuff, when if it's something someone wants to listen to...they'd be happy with a CD-R and a hand drawn cd cover. (maybe that's a bit extreme.) It's not like my stuff is all over the radio and needs the pristine 48 track super mastered by Bob Ludwig.....
wow...I'm heading into super babbling mode.
March 27, 2007
Monday. here we go. The last thing I dreamt about before I woke up was a huge truck trying to put down a carnival ride or something, and there were cats right where the driver wanted to put the wheel. I keep trying to move them before they got squished. I saw some squirrel who got hit yesterday on the road...must have been that. Then something about a water park...and I was telling someone how you get up on your shoulders and heels and that makes you go faster....Someone butted in and said, no, that only worked in the States now....and that all the water parks in Canada have special coating on the slides so people wouldn't try that.
yah..not sure what all that means.
I keep forgetting I have to do my taxes. I'd be done by now if it was just the job thing and done. With the music stuff...it's count this receipt here, write or that off...can I write this or that off. Then take it in to someone....I can't even manage to get a proper haircut.
March 23, 2007
crap...fire alarm is going off.
I was thinking this morning whoever said money does not buy happiness either was rich and just unhappy or poor with no imagination.
Mar 19, 2007
hello? Anybody there?
Finally....finally have internet. It was set up yesterday, but I also got cable, and to be honest - I'm slightly addicted to TV. Seinfeld and the Simpsons are constantly running on one channel or another, I got to see 3 episodes of surreal life back to back, and 2.5 or so of Gene Simmon's show. what else? Oh, I can turn on channel 59 and look at my front lobby....
Jeff and I have been hard at work rehearsing for the April 5th gig at Free Times. (you all should come....really.)
semi settled in at the new place. a couple of things on the wall..surround sound....surrounding. No work on the new album. none at all. no interest right now..but I should get my crap together.....maybe....shortly.
New site hopefully soon. Although, finding the time to work on things seems hard. not sure why...I'm not really doing anything differently......maybe it's living with someone. either way, I just don't seem to have the time to goof around as much.
April 2007
April 29, 2007
April 29th.....1989.....I wonder what I was doing.
Pretty good weekend.....didn't really do anything spectacular.....I got Lynn set up on Facebook....I'll never see her again....time to practice! I find it funny when putting "interests" on facebook...no one actually lists facebook. But that's all anyone seems to be doing.
Today I put some stuff on the studio walls...started as an attempt to get it to not sound like an airplane hangar, but it's kinda cozy in here...then I found this dude that sells guitar lessons online......Doug Seven....dammmmmmn. http://sizzlingguitarlicks.com
Nice. really inspiring...and what I've been looking to learn for a while.
Not much else...have a ham the size of my head in the oven.......honey glaze. Which reminds me I should ad the glaze part at some point.
oh, there is an official Shawn Hebb Fan Club that my good friend Mike Greene has setup on facebook...now, I don't know how much fanclub we're looking at...and he just may very well be making fun of me....but if you want....join up! Maybe I'll get some buttons made.
......fanclub.
I make fun of people who are on my level and have "The Official" in front of their site or myspace page....and I stroll in with a fan club. Then again..on facebook, people join groups that are "I think a monkey should have free popsicles"...so I don't think it's a big deal to be in a shawn hebb fan club.
Ok....I'm going to hook up a microphone and then play some guitar.
April 25, 2007
......and spring is gone. sigh.
A little grey outside today....a little chilly this morning. When will it be time to complain about the heat and have my guitar necks go uber straight and buzzy requiring constant truss rod adjustment. (hehe...I said rod adjustment.)
ok...keep it together....I'm an adult for crying out loud.
So, I'm not sure that whole youtube thing is right....I mean, the video is there, and the audio is there...but it's like it's some kind of foreign movie with bad over dubs. although, I have seen some videos up there, (by famous dudes no less) that have had a little sync issues.
sigh...I don't know.......I was just getting the swing of facebook, now this youtube thing is rearing it's ugly head. I think I might have had the iTunes thing not working right up until now...
I think...click over on it.....the apple....and buy something for crying out loud. Err, and by stuff I mean my stuff. Tell your friends, your neighbors.....put forwards out on the internet that if you don't by 5 Shawn Hebb albums and forward this to 7 or your friends you'll have bad luck for the next week and you may just stub your toe. The pinky one...and man, that hurts like a bitch.
or, you know...I mean, if it comes up in conversation.
April 24, 2007
well, Spring has sprung......I think until Thursday when it'll get cold again.
Thanks for everyone who came out to that Savannah room gig last Friday....I was a bit under the weather, but it was a fun night. It's a nice little room.....I think I played there when it was the Oasis. Yes...I did...I was there twice...first time playing guitar for Natasha Boomer, (a lovely actor/comedian/writer), and then me and a guitar at the (equally lovely and talented) Tina Vahn's night of passion.
There is some new stuff on the flickr site, and the youtube thing. The youtube thing is from a morning show I did a while back.....I don't think the music syncs up to my hands......it's a youtube thing I guess.....(and when I say that I mean, I have no idea why, but it worked fine on my computer before it was uploaded.)
April 18, 2007
The colour of this website surprised me this morning...was it always like this?
Started work on some songs for an instrumental sort of album this morning. Now there is two albums I have to finish. The studio still isn't all hooked up wire wise the way I would like it...I need like one button to push and everything turns on, mic flies to my mouth and guitar jumps into my hands.....then the inflatable engineer comes out and starts getting levels. I was going to google "inflatable engineer" but I'm leery of what might come up. Maybe that can be the name of my band...Shawn Hebb and the inflatable engineers..... snot really singing to me though.
So..Savannah room, this Friday...college and spadina....$6 cover. We're opening up, so don't look at me...but Jeff and I'll rehearse, so don't worry...you'll get your money's worth just with us.....seriously. 6 bucks...two guys, like what? 10 songs....I'm not sure of the math, but that equals entertainment ladies and gentlemen. Did I mention we're on at 9.....you'll be out of there by like 10......10:30 if we chat for a bit.
April 17, 2007
7:15...coffee on. too early. Did my taxes last weekend....well, got someone to do my taxes for me. I always find it stressful getting that done....seeing the financial year kind of laid out in front of you like that....now it's done and I don't have to worry about it. And of course I make the promise that this year I'll be more organized with my receipts and get it done right away and this and that. right. Jeez..how long does it take to make that freaking coffee.
I had a crazy dream Rich Hamelin was doing a gig playing covers of Geoffrey Tyler songs. I'm not sure what the heck that means.
I have about 10 these postcards left....if you want one, email me and I'll mail you one. First come first serve...own a piece of history...ha.
April 11, 2007....later in the day
I'm getting out of the way. My mom's friend Ann is visiting...and they decided they would paint my dining room. I'd been putting it off...so......I'm getting out of the way. I made coffee, put out some cheese and crackers, made dinner, did the dishes......still, a little guilt.
They have a great show on 1984 on much more music. 1984. My favorite year of music. I mean, there has been many years since where I've loved music....I love music..but in 1984...it just came alive for me. So much variety, different styles...I think that was the year I got a real guitar....just a really good year in general I guess... check out this list:
http://www.rhapsody.com/playlistcentral/playlistdetail?playlistId=12342224
oh..playing on ...hmm...april 20th. Savanah room...club...something. got to shoes and check it out.
oooh...the youtube link is sort of fixed on this blog page.....I'll get to all the rest.
umm..there's really nothing there yet. but sooon. sooooooon.
thanks to Guy for pointing out that it didn't work. Maybe I can get some of the surf's up demo on there...Guy?
April 11, 2007
I started messing around with all my receipts for taxes last night.....there are a million of them, and let's face it; I'm not a money/accounting kind of guy. So I have no idea where to put what, how much of that or this I can deduct and if that Iron Maiden DVD I bought last year can really be written off.
what is it...Wednesday?
Jeff Scott has booked a gig for our duo at Holy Joe's...May 17th. I think it's a Thursday.....don't worry...we're not going to do a marathon evening....I think an opener, and then us for two sets.....we have a surf's up gig the next day I think...so I don't want to be out late. ha.
I know the you tube stuff I have up there is.....boring. Lame comes to mind.....not interesting..yes..that could describe it. I've been busy...that's my excuse....my mom is visiting from nova Scotia....so cut me some slack. I'm thinking I'll play some songs, me and the ol' guitar into the web cam. maybe 1 a week...I'm thinking that. I also think I'm Batman sometimes...so we'll see how that pans out. Or even if you want to see it. All my attempts at building a working light saber have failed...so it's back to some songs.
April 6, 2007
Pretty good gig last night...thanks to everyone who came out for a listen. I forgot to bring cds to sell...so I sold none. It used to be about the music...now it's all about selling cds. kidding.
Pretty soon there won't be any cds....maybe just an iPod dock and you download it there. It would probably be easier to do that anyway...buy a bunch of USB flash drives with the album on it...sell those for 10 bucks. I'm seriously debating with myself if I should even bother going the professional duplication route with the next cd. I think the only people that really impresses are other musicians. (And I'm very concerned with doing that.)
The only thing I'd miss is the cd cover. I mean, that's the only thing that's left. I miss album covers in a way...but I think the cd booklet is a very close second..if not better than an album cover. Yah...I like the cd booklet better. I like the idea you can get a dvd with an album now. The youtube thing will kind of raise the bar on that too.....not only a dvd, but it'll have to be good quality and surrrounnnd sound.
ok...perhaps a nap.....or a shower, then a nap....or a nap, a shower, another nap...maybe a movie...nap, snack...movie........nap.
you get the idea...I'm planning on doing nothing today.
April 5, 2007
No more rehearsing, or nursing a part....we know every part by heart.
.....right.
Tonight...Free Times Cafe (320 College)...let's say 9:30 ish.
April 3, 2007
I rehearsed with Jeff last night...went well...songs sound good...fun...tiring. The talk of guitars and star wars was abundant. Then he suggested I check out the free times web site....
again with the name spelt wrong. Every time I play there something is wrong. Sean Hebb, Shawn Herb, Shawn Hepp.....this time around it's Shawn Ebb with Jeff Stone.
I like to say "Shawn Ebb" with a slight British accent by the way.... try it...it's fun.
anyway....annoying. Not a big deal really, but annoying none the less. So don't freak out...what you're going to come out and see on Thursday is a fabulous evening with Shawn Hebb and Jeff Scott.
Although.....Jeff Stone is starting to grow on me.
April 2, 2007
alright...pretty sure all links on this thing are fine and/or dandy.
Dandy....that's a good word...I should try to use that more. "How was the gig Shawn?"
"just dandy....thanks for asking."
yah. that's alright.
On Friday I performed on the show Daytime....it was pretty great. Early, but great. It's not to often I find my singing and playing guitar before noon....at least not playing when I'm wearing pants anyway. It was pretty amazing how nice everyone was.
April 1, 2007
new site...it's pretty much done, so feel free to browse around....mostly same old stuff...just more organized. If you're finding a page isn't working....hit the refresh key on your browser.
More rambling later...have to fix a couple of things on this.
April 29th.....1989.....I wonder what I was doing.
Pretty good weekend.....didn't really do anything spectacular.....I got Lynn set up on Facebook....I'll never see her again....time to practice! I find it funny when putting "interests" on facebook...no one actually lists facebook. But that's all anyone seems to be doing.
Today I put some stuff on the studio walls...started as an attempt to get it to not sound like an airplane hangar, but it's kinda cozy in here...then I found this dude that sells guitar lessons online......Doug Seven....dammmmmmn. http://sizzlingguitarlicks.com
Nice. really inspiring...and what I've been looking to learn for a while.
Not much else...have a ham the size of my head in the oven.......honey glaze. Which reminds me I should ad the glaze part at some point.
oh, there is an official Shawn Hebb Fan Club that my good friend Mike Greene has setup on facebook...now, I don't know how much fanclub we're looking at...and he just may very well be making fun of me....but if you want....join up! Maybe I'll get some buttons made.
......fanclub.
I make fun of people who are on my level and have "The Official" in front of their site or myspace page....and I stroll in with a fan club. Then again..on facebook, people join groups that are "I think a monkey should have free popsicles"...so I don't think it's a big deal to be in a shawn hebb fan club.
Ok....I'm going to hook up a microphone and then play some guitar.
April 25, 2007
......and spring is gone. sigh.
A little grey outside today....a little chilly this morning. When will it be time to complain about the heat and have my guitar necks go uber straight and buzzy requiring constant truss rod adjustment. (hehe...I said rod adjustment.)
ok...keep it together....I'm an adult for crying out loud.
So, I'm not sure that whole youtube thing is right....I mean, the video is there, and the audio is there...but it's like it's some kind of foreign movie with bad over dubs. although, I have seen some videos up there, (by famous dudes no less) that have had a little sync issues.
sigh...I don't know.......I was just getting the swing of facebook, now this youtube thing is rearing it's ugly head. I think I might have had the iTunes thing not working right up until now...
I think...click over on it.....the apple....and buy something for crying out loud. Err, and by stuff I mean my stuff. Tell your friends, your neighbors.....put forwards out on the internet that if you don't by 5 Shawn Hebb albums and forward this to 7 or your friends you'll have bad luck for the next week and you may just stub your toe. The pinky one...and man, that hurts like a bitch.
or, you know...I mean, if it comes up in conversation.
April 24, 2007
well, Spring has sprung......I think until Thursday when it'll get cold again.
Thanks for everyone who came out to that Savannah room gig last Friday....I was a bit under the weather, but it was a fun night. It's a nice little room.....I think I played there when it was the Oasis. Yes...I did...I was there twice...first time playing guitar for Natasha Boomer, (a lovely actor/comedian/writer), and then me and a guitar at the (equally lovely and talented) Tina Vahn's night of passion.
There is some new stuff on the flickr site, and the youtube thing. The youtube thing is from a morning show I did a while back.....I don't think the music syncs up to my hands......it's a youtube thing I guess.....(and when I say that I mean, I have no idea why, but it worked fine on my computer before it was uploaded.)
April 18, 2007
The colour of this website surprised me this morning...was it always like this?
Started work on some songs for an instrumental sort of album this morning. Now there is two albums I have to finish. The studio still isn't all hooked up wire wise the way I would like it...I need like one button to push and everything turns on, mic flies to my mouth and guitar jumps into my hands.....then the inflatable engineer comes out and starts getting levels. I was going to google "inflatable engineer" but I'm leery of what might come up. Maybe that can be the name of my band...Shawn Hebb and the inflatable engineers..... snot really singing to me though.
So..Savannah room, this Friday...college and spadina....$6 cover. We're opening up, so don't look at me...but Jeff and I'll rehearse, so don't worry...you'll get your money's worth just with us.....seriously. 6 bucks...two guys, like what? 10 songs....I'm not sure of the math, but that equals entertainment ladies and gentlemen. Did I mention we're on at 9.....you'll be out of there by like 10......10:30 if we chat for a bit.
April 17, 2007
7:15...coffee on. too early. Did my taxes last weekend....well, got someone to do my taxes for me. I always find it stressful getting that done....seeing the financial year kind of laid out in front of you like that....now it's done and I don't have to worry about it. And of course I make the promise that this year I'll be more organized with my receipts and get it done right away and this and that. right. Jeez..how long does it take to make that freaking coffee.
I had a crazy dream Rich Hamelin was doing a gig playing covers of Geoffrey Tyler songs. I'm not sure what the heck that means.
I have about 10 these postcards left....if you want one, email me and I'll mail you one. First come first serve...own a piece of history...ha.
April 11, 2007....later in the day
I'm getting out of the way. My mom's friend Ann is visiting...and they decided they would paint my dining room. I'd been putting it off...so......I'm getting out of the way. I made coffee, put out some cheese and crackers, made dinner, did the dishes......still, a little guilt.
They have a great show on 1984 on much more music. 1984. My favorite year of music. I mean, there has been many years since where I've loved music....I love music..but in 1984...it just came alive for me. So much variety, different styles...I think that was the year I got a real guitar....just a really good year in general I guess... check out this list:
http://www.rhapsody.com/playlistcentral/playlistdetail?playlistId=12342224
oh..playing on ...hmm...april 20th. Savanah room...club...something. got to shoes and check it out.
oooh...the youtube link is sort of fixed on this blog page.....I'll get to all the rest.
umm..there's really nothing there yet. but sooon. sooooooon.
thanks to Guy for pointing out that it didn't work. Maybe I can get some of the surf's up demo on there...Guy?
April 11, 2007
I started messing around with all my receipts for taxes last night.....there are a million of them, and let's face it; I'm not a money/accounting kind of guy. So I have no idea where to put what, how much of that or this I can deduct and if that Iron Maiden DVD I bought last year can really be written off.
what is it...Wednesday?
Jeff Scott has booked a gig for our duo at Holy Joe's...May 17th. I think it's a Thursday.....don't worry...we're not going to do a marathon evening....I think an opener, and then us for two sets.....we have a surf's up gig the next day I think...so I don't want to be out late. ha.
I know the you tube stuff I have up there is.....boring. Lame comes to mind.....not interesting..yes..that could describe it. I've been busy...that's my excuse....my mom is visiting from nova Scotia....so cut me some slack. I'm thinking I'll play some songs, me and the ol' guitar into the web cam. maybe 1 a week...I'm thinking that. I also think I'm Batman sometimes...so we'll see how that pans out. Or even if you want to see it. All my attempts at building a working light saber have failed...so it's back to some songs.
April 6, 2007
Pretty good gig last night...thanks to everyone who came out for a listen. I forgot to bring cds to sell...so I sold none. It used to be about the music...now it's all about selling cds. kidding.
Pretty soon there won't be any cds....maybe just an iPod dock and you download it there. It would probably be easier to do that anyway...buy a bunch of USB flash drives with the album on it...sell those for 10 bucks. I'm seriously debating with myself if I should even bother going the professional duplication route with the next cd. I think the only people that really impresses are other musicians. (And I'm very concerned with doing that.)
The only thing I'd miss is the cd cover. I mean, that's the only thing that's left. I miss album covers in a way...but I think the cd booklet is a very close second..if not better than an album cover. Yah...I like the cd booklet better. I like the idea you can get a dvd with an album now. The youtube thing will kind of raise the bar on that too.....not only a dvd, but it'll have to be good quality and surrrounnnd sound.
ok...perhaps a nap.....or a shower, then a nap....or a nap, a shower, another nap...maybe a movie...nap, snack...movie........nap.
you get the idea...I'm planning on doing nothing today.
April 5, 2007
No more rehearsing, or nursing a part....we know every part by heart.
.....right.
Tonight...Free Times Cafe (320 College)...let's say 9:30 ish.
April 3, 2007
I rehearsed with Jeff last night...went well...songs sound good...fun...tiring. The talk of guitars and star wars was abundant. Then he suggested I check out the free times web site....
again with the name spelt wrong. Every time I play there something is wrong. Sean Hebb, Shawn Herb, Shawn Hepp.....this time around it's Shawn Ebb with Jeff Stone.
I like to say "Shawn Ebb" with a slight British accent by the way.... try it...it's fun.
anyway....annoying. Not a big deal really, but annoying none the less. So don't freak out...what you're going to come out and see on Thursday is a fabulous evening with Shawn Hebb and Jeff Scott.
Although.....Jeff Stone is starting to grow on me.
April 2, 2007
alright...pretty sure all links on this thing are fine and/or dandy.
Dandy....that's a good word...I should try to use that more. "How was the gig Shawn?"
"just dandy....thanks for asking."
yah. that's alright.
On Friday I performed on the show Daytime....it was pretty great. Early, but great. It's not to often I find my singing and playing guitar before noon....at least not playing when I'm wearing pants anyway. It was pretty amazing how nice everyone was.
April 1, 2007
new site...it's pretty much done, so feel free to browse around....mostly same old stuff...just more organized. If you're finding a page isn't working....hit the refresh key on your browser.
More rambling later...have to fix a couple of things on this.
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