Chuck Taylors and The Pillows

OK, after two days of trying to gently nudge my friends to join a band with me, I got a brilliantly random idea. This is one of those moments when you realize you are either a total idiot or a complete genius, I'm hoping for the latter. I logged onto facebook, as I normally do, then I clicked on the little search link at the top, I proceeded to click the advanced search and in the interests option, I search for "guitar," "drums" and "bass" individually, each giving me several options of potential band members with the skills I so desperately need to pursue my musical dreams. I went through my options, picking three random people (okay, I did actually know one of them, but as the saying goes, "two out of three ain't bad,"). I sent messages to each person simply saying I would like them to join a band with me and why I think they'd be a good complement to my musical tastes. I'll let you know in a couple days how this pans out and if we do actually form a band, look forward to a either complete awesomeness or a brutal crash and burn, either way, it'll be fun to watch to you guys from the outside. Wish me luck, I hope this is the beginning to my renewed journey down music lane!

I've used this blog to whine about what I want out of life and what I want to do, and I hate it that the more I think about it, the more I realize I have no clue. However, I do have a good idea of where my interests lie. I've been somewhat of a musician for a while now, I started playing violin in 3rd grade (to calm the surprised looks out there, it didn't last), then I picked up the trumpet in 5th grade. I did stick with trumpet for a while and eventually switched over to baritone, and I'm not half bad, as any marching thunder member could tell you. After a couple of unsuccessful forays into piano and guitar, I finally picked up the mandolin this school year, and I really like it. I've also sang for a long time now, I started seriously singing in about 7th grade and after about a two year break, I'm starting to get back into it.

With that said, during that two year break, I delved deeper into music then I ever thought I could. Through work at WMUL and Snob-Rock Live! I've gotten really into the alternative scene, and specially the local music scene, with Scene From A Movie emerging as my favorite local band. In the same vein, I'm really into the Fall Out Boys and the All-American Rejects out there. That is the impression anyone gets from looking at me, however, that is only scratching the surface. My favorite band of all time is Nickel Creek, I'm into the bluegrassy instruments with a newer music sound. I'm also really into pop music, mainly stuff that stems from Disney artists, but I give everyone a fair shot. Hilary Duff is a huge celebrity crush of mine, and it goes deeper then looks, I love her music. I'm also love Ryan Cabrera, Ashlee Simpson, McFly (an awesome British band you all should check out), and Alexz Johnson (someone else you have to check out if you haven't already). There's always going to be a place in my heart for ska, gotta love the horns with the overly happy beats. And finally, as a country boy, I did grow up on country music. I did that whole boycott country thing for a little while, then I got over it and realized there is still some good country out there. You have to love the classics, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, but I'm also into a few current artists. I have always been into the Dixie Chicks (they happened to be playing bluegrass during my boycott so they were allowed), Lee Ann Rimes is amazing, and Keith Urban is one of those artists that transcends genres, so he's in. I'm selectively into hip-hop and will always love 90s pop, but the only other artists of note are Black Eyed Peas (and solo Fergie by association), BBMak, and B*Witched.

If I had a band, I would want to incorporate all of those influences. I would want a band that sounds like nothing else. I want to have a band that is primarily like a pop/rock band, with a lead singer playing mandolin. This band will occasionally do some ska stuff, allowing me to switch over to trumpet and allow someone else to sing. I really want the band to go acoustic every now and then. I would love at least one female in my band and the ability to play an instrument in a traditional rock band is a plus. So here's the plug, if you would like to be in a band that could potentially change the face of music, let me know, I can help. I've had trouble writing music in the past, but I feel I could do it in a group of like-minded talented musicians. If anyone out there is interested, let me know, shoot me a message, leave a comment, whatever, just let me know. I need the works, two guitars, a bassist, and a drummer. Let me know!

Blogger-Facebook connection

I've been a casual blogger for about four years now, and to look back at my posts, I realize that casual is the operative word. As of late, I've been writing a new blog post at best every other month. Because of this, I've recently started adding my posts to my facebook account as "notes." Those of you actually reading this on facebook already know this, but I'm hoping this will inspire me to start blogging again. I really enjoy this and I do it so rarely. What I would like to ask from you the reader is what you want to hear about me. Do you want the boring, "This is what I did today" posts, or do you want something deeper, I'm totally up for either. So, just let me know, and expect more posts from me in the near future, or the more likely, sometime in the next couple months.