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Here's what's happening with the band. Blog updates are posted as things develop.
Here's the latest.
If you have a strange interest to look at ancient history from the Exit 82 days, it's saved here.
December 7, 2005
Okay, so we've hit December, I've had the rest of the week to recover from the ego-crippling solo gig last Tuesday, Amethyst had two kickass shows this weekend to help restore the confidence, and we wrap up our 2005 schedule next week. Time to look ahead.
I channeled Tuesday's anger into two new song ideas, as well as nearly finishing my new Christmas tune, "I Didn't Get **** for Christmas." I'm sincerely trying to get a demo of both on my page this week. Usually once a year or so I get together with a friend and we record one wacky holiday tune under the name The Bumpus Hounds (kudos to anyone who gets the reference), but schedules being what they are, this one'll have to be just me. Maybe we could release a Bumpus Hounds 5-song EP for next year. (Makes a swell gift! Pre-order yours now!)
Doing demos has always been tough for me anyway (sleeping children + no soundproofing in living room = frustrated Dan), but even with a busy schedule this week (RBMC Workshop, work, Web site meeting, rehearsal, new These Days column, gig) I've got limited time to get these tunes done before the 31st deadline for the RBMC compilation. That means demo, practice with players, then professionally record the song. *Head...hurting....
So remember, kids: This is what happens when you become a grown-up and try to remain a viable musician while balancing too much real-world stuff on your plate. Maybe for Christmas, I can ask for a bigger plate. Or a clone of myself.
January 4, 2006
If you'll recall last time, we left Dan pondering how he was going to work in time between family, cover-band and original recordings, column, a dozen new cover tunes, Web updates, and day job, within the space of mere weeks. How was he going to do it all? (Pardon my momentary channeling of Stan Lee.)
The answer: sleep deprivation. I've been pulling a LOT of late-nighters between my birthday (12/23), Christmas, New Year's, and my daughter's birthday, so I could update the RBMC site, write, and finish my home recording.
For the RBMC complilation, I had to trash the idea of demoing the song and doing a pro session with a full band, and just did a full version at home, playing everything myself. I was hoping to get "Psychic Girlfriend" or "When Forever's Over" on the CD, but my meager guitar playing can't do justice on guitar-intensive songs. So I resorted to my venomous little anti-ballad, "Schaddenfreude (Pleasure From All Your Pain)". I'm hoping to finish mixdown by Friday and post it here (finally!!).
Amethyst's new demo got postponed, but we will be starting up our 2006 schedule at Old New York (1/21) and High Velocity (1/28). My column, RBMC and These Days Web sites will be updated this week also. If stars align and the fates shine on me, I might even manage to post a keys-only version of my new tune, "Don't Bother Me."
Okay, last topic. It was pointed out to me just how many "Exit" bands there are currently in NJ. I had been thinking about a name change anyway, even though I'm pretty sure I can lay claim to being the first "Exit" over six years ago. (Back when this site was on the now-defunct homepage.com.) But being first doesn't beat being productive. Metaphorically, I'm an 8-bit IBM XT, circa 1985, and the other (working) Exit bands are Pentium 4s with Windows XP.
So my question to you good cyberfolk: what to name the new band? I still don't want to be a "solo artist," so I need a good name. Or should I just say screw 'em, and keep on "Exiting"? Any suggestions, send 'em to me or post a comment here.
If you made it this far, thanks. Let me return the favor by recommending a stock tip: buy shares in whatever company makes Vivarin, since I've probably doubled their profits with my caffeine intake this past month. Now, since it's 3AM, I lay down and wait for the room to stop vibrating.
February 4, 2006
And On The 73rd Day, Dan Rested
Last blog, I mentioned that time and budget crunches kept me from doing a pro recording for the RBMC CD compilation. So I played Jeff Lynne for a few weeks, and recorded and played everything myself. A master guitarist and bassist, I'm not, but I got through it. I pause a moment to high-five myself.
Digital's still new for me. I've recorded analog for years on my old Yamaha four-track. My only prior digital experience was at a pro studio back during The Pulse's cover demo. Charles at Futuresound could effortlessly jump around 20 computer windows like a veteran operator at NORAD tracking a hostile inbound aircraft. As for me, let's just say I'm still climbing the learning curve. I've been reading on the science behind the knobs, and getting some tips from some techie friends, so I can at least fake a facade of near non-ignorance.
The tracks were all non-sequenced audio, although not created in the best isolation possible (if you're masochistic, you can listen closely to the hand percussion and vocal tracks and hear the kid noises and chirps from my wife's parakeet), but I think it turned out okay. I may just be able to let go of that analog four-track just yet.
I was hoping to do something other than a ballad, but my other tunes are way too guitar-centric. (Lots on punch-ins on those bass and guitar tracks.) It is an ironic ballad with venomous lyrics, so I can at least label myself the Anti-Elton. I promise something a little edgier next time.
Here's the lyrics. Comments aren't just encouraged, they're implored.
Pleasure From Your Pain (Schaddenfreude)
by Dan O'Leary
1.
I never thought you'd come to me
Looking for some sympathy
'Cause you were the one who left without a goodbye
You're crying 'bout your Someone New
And how bad he's been treating you --
You'll find compassion here in short supply.
Times like these, you need to find a friend
That's not me but I can still pretend
C.
I can say, "told you so" -- but I don't
I could just laugh at you -- but I won't
I will just sit and smile
And listen a while
As you're baring your soul in vain,
Getting pleasure from all your pain.
2.
My conscience cries, confess my sin
And lose the mask I'm hiding in,
Wipe the slate, and leave the past behind.
But you list the things he's done to you
And I get a sense of deja vu
Of everything you did when you were mine.
Yes it might be cruel, I know it's true
But it makes me glad that you can be hurt too.
C.
I can say, "told you so" -- but I don't
I could just laugh at you -- but I won't
I will just sit and smile
And listen a while
While your tears keep me entertained,
I'm getting pleasure from all your pain.
B.
Times like these, you need to find a friend
That's not me but I can still pretend
C.
I can say, "told you so" -- but I don't
I could just laugh at you -- but I won't
I will just sit and smile
And listen a while
And my secret will still remain: (I'm so entertained...)
I'm getting pleasure from all your pain.
(c) 2005 Dan O'Leary. All rights reserved. Illegally copy this and die.
Feb. 28, 2006
(copied from the MySpace page)Well, after four years, Exit 82 is done. Why? Because the band's free web server keeps increasing adspace on each page, so I'm moving it. I was tired of hearing how many Exit bands are in New Jersey, so with the new site comes a new name.
Crosstalk Club's not a particularly intelligent name either, but it does have two advantages: (1) It's not Exit 82, and (2) In two hours of searching it was the only name I could find that isn't used by 300 other bands. (I've actually used Crosstalk before, but I don't need either the American or European Crosstalks unleashing their attorneys. I'm allergic to lawsuits.)
The name actually kind of fits, since my tunes are a weird crosstalk of all my disparate influences blurred together. (Most bands don't include Ben Folds, The Cars, Social Distortion, Rush, AND The Marvelous 3 among their influences.) The "Club" hints at the whole power-pop/rock thing, I guess. Or, I'm just thinking about this stuff way too much.
So, new name, new site, new attitude, and with luck, new sounds. I'm working up a piano demo for "Dreamtime," followed by a revamped "Tempus Fugitive" (gotta get those punch-in muscles ready for my meager guitar skills). I've also got something totally new I'm hoping to have finished and critiqued by the RBMC this week, then I'll record it and post it here in the near future. Stay tuned.
March 22, 2006
Okay, first, a quickie update. The new tracks are coming, but with everyone in the house swapping illnesses like a bacterial Lazy Susan for two weeks, we've been delayed. New MP3s ASAP. OK? (Ah, acronyms, I'm a real blogger now.)
Man, some folks are HUGE Elton John fans. And they get really rabid when they think their hero is getting attacked. I remarked in the band's MySpace profile that my friend Raj labeled me "the Anti-Elton," and I got hit with a bunch of angry email from Mr. Dwight's desciples, slinging diatribes like, "yeah, so how many millions of records have YOU sold, punk?" For the record, Emanon's sales are still a long way from gold 10 years after, and if my movie soundtrack hackwork ever actually sold anything, I'd be arrested for criminally bad taste.
Let's straighten this out now: I like Elton John. Hell, I played in a band that covered his tunes. But as opposed to happy songs like "Tiny Dancer," "I'm Still Standing," or "Take Me to the Pilot," with me you mostly get things like "Peace Talks" (let's agree to break up before we kill each other), "Psychic Girlfriend" (how to keep a relationship without lying), and "Pleasure From All Your Pain" (keep crying, I find you really entertaining). Not what you'd call Taupin-esque lyrical ideas, are they?
So please, if you're getting ready to send me more hate mail, ask yourself if Sir Elton would put "Functional" on his next album. Of course, if Elton's out there somewhere and really does want a song about dysfunction envy, call me.
June 24, 2006
Holy @#$%!!! New music!No, that topic line isn't a typo. I have TWO new songs. The four-month creative dry spell is over! The last two months have been hellacious, with personal, work, family, and project-related problems that you really don't want to hear about and I don't want to repeat. Most of my music and web projects all got delayed or done badly, having spent wayyy too many nights up til 3AM trying in vain to complete it all. (No-Doz is a harsh mistress.)
Okay, enough whining. One song is called "Strength" (no, not by The Alarm). It's a bit of a downer about self-doubt you go through when all the hats you wear in life suddenly don't seem to fit, and you wonder if you're really good at any of it. Let's keep positive and get back to that one another time.
Tune #2 is "I Wish" (no, not by Stevie Wonder). It's me back in my twisted world view again giving new answers to the old "If you had three wishes" question. I tried an AABA format on this one, so it doesn't really have a chorus part, just to be different.
The lyrics are below. I've made a REALLY rough demo of the song to teach my bandmates for the Songwriters Conference this Sunday. I'll try to tweak it a touch and give you a slightly-less-rough sample this weekend.
"I Wish"
© 2006 Dan O'Leary
1.
I wish I had an evil twin
I'd stir up trouble, and blame it all on him
And he'd be happy taking credit for my sin
I wish I had an evil twin
2.
I wish I could write myself a list
And send it back in time with warnings to resist
All my bad mistakes, and wrong girls that I kissed
I wish I could write myself a list
If you could have your wish, what would it be?
Money, power, love or fame -- that's not for me
If you could have your wish, what would you choose for you?
Let me show you some of the things that I would do
(mini-solo)
3.
I wish I had a telephone
That called the Afterlife, to friends who felt alone
And we could talk a while, til the Devil called them home
I wish I had a telephone
If you could have your wish, what would it be?
Money, power, love or fame -- that's not for me
If you could have your wish, what would you choose for you?
Let me show you some of the things that I would do
..I wish I could write myself a list
..I wish I had an evil twin
© 2006 Dan O'Leary. Illegally copy this, and I'll wish you dead.
Let me know what you think.
July 3, 2006
Wow! Two great shows in two weeks. Thanks to everyone who came out to came out to Crosstalk Club's live debut at the Songwriters' Conference, AND to the Amethyst show on the MTV boardwalk stage in Seaside Heights. Both shows were a blast. It's been years since I played outdoor shows for over 100 people (The Pulse) or played out originals non-solo (Funhouse). I hope everyone there enjoyed it as much as I did.
For anyone who missed them, your penance is three Hail Marys and to make sure you don't miss Crosstalk Club's set at Riverside Gardens Park (Red Bank) on Tuesday, 7/11 (like the store) 6:30pm.
Also mark it on your schedule to catch Amethyst's next gigs on Saturday 7/22 at Molly Maguire's (Clark), Wednesday, 7/26 at the Union County Arts Festival at Echo Lake Park (Mountainside) 7-10pm, and Friday, 7/28 at the Monmouth County Fair at E. Freehold Park (Freehold) 8-10:30pm.
And so, with thanks and obligatory plugs duly noted, I retire for the day. I'm spending the Fourth tomorrow with "the fam" and I'm not looking at websites, MySpace, demos, a dozen unfinished songs, cover tunes, or my myriad of projects clamoring for attention. My kids saw me perform tonight for the first time (and loved it), so I think I owe them a day without me hunched over a keyboard of some kind. The demo I promised will be up this week.
Happy Independance Day! Enjoy watching the sky blow up. (I will. We Americans like explosions. Some more than others.)
July 7, 2006
Okay, so here's the MP3 I promised earlier for "I Wish." Each track is a one-track part on my old four-track. As usual, the vocal was written for someone else with a better voice and range than mine. I think my rudimentary guitar and bass playing actually worked pretty well here. I welcome (okay, I'm begging for) any comments on lyrics and music, disregarding the mix, since there really isn't one.
The link for the MP3 is here. Here are the first-draft lyrics again so you don't have to page back to the earlier post. I've already got some changes in mind, but I'd love to hear any and all feedback. Thanks!
"I Wish"
© 2006 Dan O'Leary
1.
I wish I had an evil twin
I'd stir up trouble, and blame it all on him
And he'd be happy taking credit for my sin
I wish I had an evil twin
2.
I wish I could write myself a list
And send it back in time with warnings to resist
All my bad mistakes, and wrong girls that I kissed
I wish I could write myself a list
If you could have your wish, what would it be?
Money, power, love or fame -- that's not for me
If you could have your wish, what would you choose for you?
Let me show you some of the things that I would do
(mini-solo)
3.
I wish I had a telephone
That called the Afterlife, to friends who felt alone
And we could talk a while, til the Devil called them home
I wish I had a telephone
If you could have your wish, what would it be?
Money, power, love or fame -- that's not for me
If you could have your wish, what would you choose for you?
Let me show you some of the things that I would do
..I wish I could write myself a list
..I wish I had an evil twin
© 2006 Dan O'Leary. Illegal copiers will be wished dead.
July 12, 2006
First thing: thanks for everyone who came to C/C's show at Riverside Gardens Park. We played with Riley Shiro, Jamie Koenig, and Chris McKenna, who were all awesome. Thanks to James O'Rourke-DiGioia and crew for keeping the sound and stage humming.Just a reminder to check out the last blog entry and critique the new song. I'd love to hear your opinion.
Okay, watch out, I'm going to soapbox now. Most readers know I've spent the last decade mostly in cover bands. As I've gotten back into the original scene, I'm reminded how a few "artistes" view cover musicians. The word "hack" gets mentioned. Or worse. By no means is it every original musician I talk to, but I get it enough to want to whine about it here.
Covers and originals are separate jobs. With one, I'm solely a performer, an entertainer. The other, I'm also an artist. I've got my cover-thing down pretty well, and my bandmates all know how to play TO the crowd, unlike some original guys I've seen, who simply play AT the crowd. (There are notable exceptions, such as local guy Eric Ginsberg, who is engaging to anyone with a pulse, and many of the folks from the RBMC.)
My job is to cover tunes people instantly respond to, and give them a good time. And I'm pretty darn good at that. I've played for hundreds of people at clubs, casinos, weddings, naked parties (can't discuss that), and colleges. They've enjoyed the shows, and I've been decently paid for it.
Compare that to my first-stabs at the original circuit: repeatedly selling tickets to a dozen friends, convincing them to come out to a club on a Wednesday "showcase" set at midnight sandwiched in-between four other groups. Total audience, about 20 people. Total take-home, enough for a Wawa stop and gas money to drive home.
I know there are lots of unsigned original acts out there do better than what I described above, but there are many more out there that fit the situation. Paying original gigs are hard things to come by around here. Also, I live in a resort area, so excepting little pockets of cool like Red Bank and such, the market is covers. No traveling for me, since I gave up the up the idea of touring and record deals about the time I bought my first box of diapers. (Hmm, before I mentioned that, I thought my cool ratio couldn't go any lower.)
And for anyone who thinks cover music is easy, guess again. Accurately capturing both the sound and feel of a professionally recorded song and still make it your own takes work. As a keyboard player, I've imitated James Brown's horn section, Billy Joel's piano, Elton John's orchestra, 80's synth-pop, Pink Floyd's trippy soundscapes, John Popper's harmonica, Hammond organ players, and disco string sections, among others. (Contrary to "American Idol," wedding bands don't automatically mean "cheesy." Good bands must be cameleons... as opposed to bland, homogenized TV pop singers.)
And in all that work comes a learning experience. Over ten years, the four bands I've been with exposed me to ska, rock, pop, disco, and blues. I've learned better song construction, hooks, and melody. I've learned what makes an audience respond, and how feel natural onstage. Which makes me a better "artiste," writer, AND entertainer. All while getting paid for it.
Not bad for "hack" work, I'd say.
September 10, 2006
Mega-thanks to everyone who came out to see Kristy's debut with Amethyst this past Saturday at Molly Maguire's. Molly's is an awesome place, and loads of thanks to Jen, Sue, Melanie (who probably won't see this but deserve thanks anyway), and everyone else that came out to see us.
Okay, so I've gotten about a dozen "so where are these new demos?" emails between MySpace and the C/C website, so both apologies for the delays and thanks to all for checking in. "Your email is important to us, and we appreciate your patience during this brief delay."I've recently realized the only studio I'm getting to in the near future is the silver box I'm using to write this blog, so I began to record these songs "for real," as opposed to rough demo stuff. Eventually, I'll replace my vocals and guitar with the actual players as they get recorded, but you're stuck with me for now.
I'm nearly finished with "I Wish," with a new verse and some more production added to it, and both "Strength" and "Dreamtime" are mixed. I hesitated putting them on the player yet because I wanted something a little more "rock" (insert concert-fist hand gesture here) before I add more ballads. Now that I'm mostly done learning all the new Amethyst songs, I can spend more time towards the final tracks and have the tunes up this week.
It's times like these I ask, why did I become a keyboard player who writes songs for a guitar-oriented full band? Time to write more solo piano tunes -- much easier!
October 17, 2006
New York: Wow
I had a big wedding gig with Amethyst at the Manhattan Penthouse in NYC last weekend. Great party, awesome people. But the lead-up to the event reminded me of the love/hate relationship I have with the city. After a few hours of sitting in stop-and-stop-again traffic in the Village I ponder how anyone actually gets anywhere in town. Eight million people on the same island, and it feels like all of them are outside, either on foot or behind the wheel. The lack of collision fear is amazing too, though I guess no one gets hurt connecting with car bumper at 2 MPH.
But at night, watching the city from our four-way view 18 floors up, and then later, after load-out on the street and driving through the various neighborhoods, I marvel of how the whole thing works. A thousand different cultures and millions of people, "all just living their lives." (Thanks, Agent Smith.) I know it sounds dopey, but there's a spirit/vibe/whatever here you don't find in most other cities. We've all seen a billion images of NYC on TV and in the movies, but being here (especially as infrenquently as I am) tends to jar you out of your comfort zone. And that's a good thing. I occasionally need to shake up my small shore-town way of thinking.
I'm finalizing the mixes on the new tunes now. (Yes, Raj, they do exist.) Amethyst has an all-wedding October gig schedule, so most of my time has been preparing for that. I've some recording to do for another cover band next week, so I want to squeeze this in now. I figure Guns n' Roses still have about 8 years of delays over me, so it's not so bad.
October 26, 2006
I did it! I beat Axl Rose! I know, "Dan, you forgot your meds again, didn't you?" Yes, but never mind that. Let me explain:
Guns n' Roses (okay, Axl Rose, since he's the only one left) have announced for eight years that their new songs were on the way, but have canceled tours and stalled release dates for years now. Crosstalk Club...okay, not as long, but you get the idea.
The press seems convinced "Chinese Democracy" is finally coming this month, so I thought Axl was going to beat me. Better luck next time, Mr. Rose. Here's the near-completed version of "I Wish" (until the "real" guitars and vocals are added). Tell me what you think.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006, 12:33 AM
Thanks, everyone, for the recent emails checking in on the recording progress. I had to prioritize some tasks before I could start work again. Check out the new updates on both the Blisstique and RBMC websites to see some of the things I've been involved with. (And when you visit, buy a Blisstique EP and donate to the RBMC. Pete and Eric are cool people and deserve to have some money thrown their way.) And if things work out, I may some more "writer" news to tell later this month.
Man, how did McCartney manage to do it all those years? It has taken weeks to finish recording the demo for a new song, "Psychic Girlfiend," since I'm doing it all myself (as usual, until the "real" vocals are added). Of course, Sir Paul probably didn't record around a day job or do it in his dining room, while trying to work within a baby's sleep schedule.
Now, if you've known about my original stuff for a few years, you're probably saying, "Dan, you already HAVE a song with that title, don't you?" Yes, but that was part of the Great Computer Crash of '03, when I lost the demos, lyrics, and ideas for about 30 songs. (It still hurts my head when I mention it.) Only the topic and title are the same. Verson 1 was minor-key and sounded a bit too much like The Offspring circa "Self Esteem," while version 2 is major, has piano, and actually has a little groove to it. I can't wait for you to hear it. I'm hoping to complete my temp vocals this week, and I'll post it up. So Jedi mind-trick yourselves to forget the old and prepare for something new.
Tuesday, December 14, 2006, 3:33 AM
Here I go, again on my own...
Well, it's finally up...more bizarro love songs from Dan. As I mentioned last posting, I took some time away from my web projects to finish off the basics to Psychic Girlfriend and loaded it on my page. I'm glad I got it done, but I'm not sure when the "real" vocals are coming, since my singer has moved out of state. So I'm currently without a vocalist, and the live original shows I was planning will be postponed. Know someone who might fit the bill? Tell me!
In Amethyst news, we've got one final 2006 show this Saturday at the awesome Molly Maguire's in Clark, NJ. Always a guaranteed good time there. Come on down and Safety Dance with us!
Tuesday, December 23, 2006, 3:33 AM
"My biological clock is [STOMP STOMP] ticking like this...."
Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny
Tuesday, December 23, 2006, 3:33 AM
Help, I need somebody...If you've read my previous blog entires, you know Crosstalk Club's lead singer, Rob, has left NJ, so we're short a vocalist. I've started working on some new tracks, but I'd like to finish the ones already posted here. Most musicians I know are involved in their own projects or into totally different styles of music. I've searched Craigslist, the MODE, and other websites, but little success. So, I turn to you MySpacers. If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in giving these tracks a voice, do some occasional original gigs, and collaborate on future tracks, please write me.
Amethyst update: the coolest 80s cover band is finally on MySpace! Check out our beginning profile here, get on our Friends list, then mark your calendars for our upcoming February gigs!
Friday, February 16, 2007 2:30 AM
Sunday, March 11, 2007
