Thursday, August 26, 2004
I'm singing for a band called Raygunomics. They've been around for a year and I'm replacing their old singer, Simon, who moved to Montreal. It feels odd replacing someone and singing words written by someone else. The first show with the new lineup is this Saturday and I'm more than a little nervous.
I'm excited about playing in a band. I think it sort of sounds like Man Afraid or Christ on a Crutch. I like that. I like playing in bands with new people because I learn new things. That sounds too simplistic, but I guess I always feel like I'm the weakest link in the bands I'm in and if I can learn more about being in a band than I won't be such a doofus in one.
I remember my dad taking home a cassette recorder from his school when we were kids. I was so enamoured with it and I couldn't believe how 'the box' could capture your voice. To me that thing was the bee's knees.
I used to amuse myself when I was younger by pretending to have a radio station. It was like WKRP and I'd record all my broadcasts on a hand me down ghetto blaster. I thought it was brilliant and I thought I was hilarious. I thought my voice sounded amazing, a true professional in the making, destined for voice over work and a singing career.
When I was 11 my 2nd favourite song was Winter Wonderland (I'll never reveal my favourite nor the circumstances around it, some things are better left unsaid). I would sing that song all the time regardless of the season. I tried out, alongside Canadian Idol hopeful Richie Wilcox, for Rita McNeil's first television Christmas special and I sang Winter Wonderland in my audition. I wasn't terribly creative or innovative and of course did not get cast (Richie on the other hand did). In order to get ready for the audition I would sing that song, tape it, play it back, check for mistakes and re-record it until I was satisfied. I didn't get sick of the song, but I did get sick of my voice.
Years later I found those radio tapes, played them back and cringed in the way you only can when you're alone and feeling genuinely embarassed. I hated the way my gawky, nerdy, awkward voice sounded.
I'm nervous about this weekend because I know at some point while we play I'm going to be singing (screaming whatever you want to call it) and I will hear my voice and I will cringe.
I'm excited about playing in a band. I think it sort of sounds like Man Afraid or Christ on a Crutch. I like that. I like playing in bands with new people because I learn new things. That sounds too simplistic, but I guess I always feel like I'm the weakest link in the bands I'm in and if I can learn more about being in a band than I won't be such a doofus in one.
I remember my dad taking home a cassette recorder from his school when we were kids. I was so enamoured with it and I couldn't believe how 'the box' could capture your voice. To me that thing was the bee's knees.
I used to amuse myself when I was younger by pretending to have a radio station. It was like WKRP and I'd record all my broadcasts on a hand me down ghetto blaster. I thought it was brilliant and I thought I was hilarious. I thought my voice sounded amazing, a true professional in the making, destined for voice over work and a singing career.
When I was 11 my 2nd favourite song was Winter Wonderland (I'll never reveal my favourite nor the circumstances around it, some things are better left unsaid). I would sing that song all the time regardless of the season. I tried out, alongside Canadian Idol hopeful Richie Wilcox, for Rita McNeil's first television Christmas special and I sang Winter Wonderland in my audition. I wasn't terribly creative or innovative and of course did not get cast (Richie on the other hand did). In order to get ready for the audition I would sing that song, tape it, play it back, check for mistakes and re-record it until I was satisfied. I didn't get sick of the song, but I did get sick of my voice.
Years later I found those radio tapes, played them back and cringed in the way you only can when you're alone and feeling genuinely embarassed. I hated the way my gawky, nerdy, awkward voice sounded.
I'm nervous about this weekend because I know at some point while we play I'm going to be singing (screaming whatever you want to call it) and I will hear my voice and I will cringe.
What I bought yesterday
(all used, some gems, some trash) :
Bikini Kill Reject All American
Ruination Year One
Weston Matinee
Moral Crux Side Effects of Thinking
B'ehl Only a Paper Moon
Sub City Compilation-Take Action Weakerthans, Fifteen, Dillinger 4, Scared of Chaka
JabberJaw Compilation Jawbox, Seaweed, Unwound, Girls Against Boys
Fall Silent No Strength to Suffer
Guilt Synthesia
Spark Lights the Friction/Ruined in a Day split
20 Year Design Theory -AntiAntenna Recordings compilation Roads to Shilo, Constantines, Buried Inside
Gauge Fire Tongue Burning Stomach
I also finally got new glasses, x-ray glasses, I'll see through you like cellophane.
With Autumn comes change and that means it's time for a young man to go through a ceremonial rite of passage :
selling vintage Van Halen t-shirts to make rent.
Buy Michael Catano's (kahtahno) clothes so he can make rent and I can live with him.
(all used, some gems, some trash) :
Bikini Kill Reject All American
Ruination Year One
Weston Matinee
Moral Crux Side Effects of Thinking
B'ehl Only a Paper Moon
Sub City Compilation-Take Action Weakerthans, Fifteen, Dillinger 4, Scared of Chaka
JabberJaw Compilation Jawbox, Seaweed, Unwound, Girls Against Boys
Fall Silent No Strength to Suffer
Guilt Synthesia
Spark Lights the Friction/Ruined in a Day split
20 Year Design Theory -AntiAntenna Recordings compilation Roads to Shilo, Constantines, Buried Inside
Gauge Fire Tongue Burning Stomach
I also finally got new glasses, x-ray glasses, I'll see through you like cellophane.
With Autumn comes change and that means it's time for a young man to go through a ceremonial rite of passage :
selling vintage Van Halen t-shirts to make rent.
Buy Michael Catano's (kahtahno) clothes so he can make rent and I can live with him.
