Screaming Mimes Blog

Wednesday we had our first show in a while. A benefit organized by our good friend Mike Sparke to raise money for Dystonia research. GREAT turnout. We entertained acoustically (minus Jim, who gets nervous without his bass drum) and played a couple of new tunes for the crowd. I had guitar problems so all my majestically rehearsed guitar solos went in the trash. Sorry to all my rabid fans who were looking for me rip it up on the Elvis guitar. I owe you one.
It was nice to play for such a friendly crowd and by the end everyone seemed to really be getting into it. We played "I Don't Need Anything" which we haven't done in 2 years! Yowza.
Before the show, early in the AM I was on Fox19 to promote the event and played "Wedding Day". Tried to cut it down for time and ended up flubbing a line. I don't think anyone noticed besides you. Now the secret is out. They are very supportive down there at the station and we'll probably be back in the near future.
The Reds project is picking up steam... we're finalizing artwork, lineup... all the tracks submitted have been incredible.
Once these Reds tracks are done we'll work on finishing two tracks to submit for MidPoint Music Fest and start recording again. We've also got a big show coming up at the Southgate House in February. I'm off to LA this week to soak up some sun.
Cheers!

Dave

That's the sound of doing guitar solo over and over and over and over... and over.

Saturday (1-7-06) I worked on my guitar parts in front of the fireplace. A nice setting. Switched between four guitars. My main Rickenbacker 330, my 12 string Rickenbacker 330, my Miller Lite Fender (thanks Jennifer!) and my Surfcaster. Each guitar has a nice unique character and I tried to apply it to every part. The Surfaster has a very "sharp" sound so I saved it for a lot of rapid accents (The Big Show) and guitar solos - it cuts through nicely. The Rickenbacker is thick and creamy, so it did the majority of the rhythm on "Three Cheers Cincinnati" - big crunching chords with lots of space. The Fender added some spice in little solo bits here and there. The 12 string hit the bridges and chorus with it's distinctive chime. I started using the POD first then switched to the PODXT to get my custom "Dave tone" that I use. Found a nice Tremelo effect and some other noises for "The Big Show". Pulled out the keys and added some quiet chords to both songs (I hate searching for synth tones) and frantically banged out a piano part on "The Big Show".

Now I've done the shopping and brought the groceries to Randy - it's up to him to chop it and throw it in the stew the way he likes. :)

Dave

WOW! What a night... exhausting in all the right ways. We managed to twist Austin's arm with the promise of a group photo and some extra "Mimes Bucks" (it's like real money, except it's not worth anything) to work the boards while we slammed through "Three Cheers, Cincinnati" & "The Big Show". It was AWESOME. After scrambling to get set up we did Three Cheers three or four times. Each take got better - by the last one it had the right mix of energy, command and danger... Jim described it as going up an old wooden roller coaster. After going backwards on the Racer we tackled "The Big Show" - which led to some frustration. But after a break we nailed it - it's going to sound incredible. Both tracks have a freshness and excitement that I think will really carry through to the final recording. I'm on my third draft of the Three Cheers lyrics, probably one more pass to go before it's done done done. That's after Jim's initial outline... wow, never spent so much on the words! We're working hard to make sure the emotion is strong in what amounts to a history lesson and cheer. Pulling the listener in by starting it with "imagine", inviting them to remember a time long ago... it's a challenge.
Both songs are different but have a very "us" kind of sound - good guitar based rock and roll. We'll add some harmonies to both songs - should be excellent.
Three cheers!

- Dave