I have been busy. I lost fifteen pounds while I sat here recovering, frightened of eating even once it was possible again. The moment I was almost kind of recovered from my tonsillectomy, I went back out on the road with Les Honky and to my surprise was able to sing my backing vocal parts. I had to take it easy on myself but the pitches were there. Days later I was driving to a rehearsal and sang a bit of “Love Is The Answer” (from the new record) and found it not just possible, but easy. Those of you who witnessed me gagging on my tonsils during that song at the album release show I’m sure felt pity (it was the only “down” moment on an all-up night) as I strained and stretched to hit those high notes during the chorus. But check this out -
“Love is a gift you take and give, the answer was there all along…” See? Oh. Well if you’d heard it, you’d know that it was really easy and I nailed all the pitches without straining or having to switch to falsetto. It feels like a dead, rotting animal has been removed from my throat, which isn’t far from the truth. Singing is a different game now, but with practice my voice will become an ally rather than the constantly-changing nemesis it has always been.
Much recording has been done for the upcoming EP, as well as some recording just for the hell of it. I want to get a little more practice in before I start trying to do final vocal takes on the EP stuff, but as far as I’m concerned the EP is “on schedule”. Hopefully I’ll post a couple cover songs up soon as well… here’s a hint for one of them; Jimi Hendrix once sent a prayer to the troops overseas and it’s time for that prayer to be sent once again. As for the EP material, sure it’s still the same old me – except it sounds like I’ve been taking the LSD.
Being on the road with Les Honky has been amazing fun, filled with wonderful experiences. I’m so glad to have made so many new friends on the road in the towns we’ve visited from Kansas City to Black Mountain. Truth be told, I hate the road. It wears you out. But the inside jokes and the shows more than make it worth the trouble. Like a dysfunctional relationship that only works on a physical basis, I want to go back to it for more – with my own band. We’re starting to book shows for the Fall tour – if you live in or near the Southeast (roughly Virginia to Texas, maybe up to Chicago in the Midwest) and have a club you’d like to see me play, let me know. Or rather, let Headphone Treats know. I’d just forward it to them anyway.
My son recently learned how to throw a tantrum and go batshit insane in public. He’s normally very sweet and laughs all the time, so I’m willing to blame the teething – especially since he went back to normal yesterday. On Monday he screamed for several minutes solid while I tried to negotiate tire prices (I got a flat at The Coal Men gig), screamed and threw food at me while I tried to feed him and generally cried all day. Tuesday? Sweet toddler again. I simply raised an eyebrow, put my head down and powered through the whole ordeal… my point is that it’s hilarious, the things I used to get upset about.
Talk soon,
Adam
