A band what I plays in

[*ToNeS*]

Last time I flogged one of my band's songs, I slovenly used the term 'jazzcore' to describe it. I'm not gonna do that this time, because everyone became more enamoured with deconstructing the semantics of 'jazzcore' and how exactly it did or did not relate to the music. It was mortifying.

So here, check out my band's jazzcore: http://errata.bandcamp.com/track/venus-en-code



The new track is Venus En Code and I'm keen to hear what people think. Someone likened it to Daughters the other day, I thought that was cool.

[christoph h.]

Cool stuff! I'm a bit torn about the fact that the saxophone only gets featured at select spots. It makes it seem a bit like a gimmick, on the other hand the instrument has such a presence that it may get on my nerves after a while. It makes more sense if I see it as a sort of dialoge between singer and sax, though.

The sounds are cool, maybe a bit dry. I don't mean putting lots of reverb on it, but it could be mixed to sound more like a unit. I'd like the bass to have a bit more "dirt" or "grind" on it, but that's just personal taste.

It's definitely some cool stuff, though!

[*ToNeS*]

Originally Posted by christoph h.

Cool stuff! I'm a bit torn about the fact that the saxophone only gets featured at select spots. It makes it seem a bit like a gimmick, on the other hand the instrument has such a presence that it may get on my nerves after a while. It makes more sense if I see it as a sort of dialoge between singer and sax, though.

The sounds are cool, maybe a bit dry. I don't mean putting lots of reverb on it, but it could be mixed to sound more like a unit. I'd like the bass to have a bit more "dirt" or "grind" on it, but that's just personal taste.

It's definitely some cool stuff, though!

Hey, thanks for the thoughts, man.

I tell you, I hate how the bass has come up on this track. I'm inches away from doing the diva thang and demanding that we re-record it. Maybe I'm just agonising this close to release

[dj150888]

Its not entirely my thing, couple of interesting snippets, but the vocals aren't my style. To me, they straddle the middle ground between extreme vocals and traditional vocals, Mike Patton is the only guy whos ever got away with that for me. I like my extreme vocals extreme and my clean vocals clean. Thats merely personal taste though.

Musically, I've got to agree that I'd like to hear a little more grit on the bass. Digging the guitar tone too.

The main reason I wanted to reply was to say that I'm really digging the artwork concept. I'll be considering buying the album when its available just for that!

[D.A.R.K.]

just a bit over the top for me, and i'm a zorn and sweep the leg johnny fan. i'd like to hear some more tracks that exercise more extreme dynamics, as opposed to feeling like a bunch of people are just screaming at me. my tastes aside, you've definitely got it together and sound like you are all on the same page as a unit, it's great.

[christoph h.]

Originally Posted by *ToNeS*

I tell you, I hate how the bass has come up on this track. I'm inches away from doing the diva thang and demanding that we re-record it. Maybe I'm just agonising this close to release

Hm, I don't know at all how your band works internally, but if I were in your shoes I'd definitely mention this to the other band members.

You're putting out a band effort and a collective statement, so every member should feel positive about it. If you really hate how you sound even before the release, I can only imagine how you'll feel in a few months or even years. In my experience this kind of feeling gets worse over time.

So as long as it can be fixed without too much added cost or hassle you should definitely re-do the tracks. However, it should only be about the SOUND. Maybe re-amping is an option?

[*ToNeS*]

Wow, someone wants to put up with our noise just for the art? Our boy Steve the Errartist will be pleased. I'm not so pleased, though

It's definitely not for everyone, but I guess that's kinda the point. Hectic is as hectic does

I'm thinking of re-recording with a fretless... but that might just be too much work at this point. Sigh.

[FretlessMainly]

I never thought I'd hear a band with Sam Kinison, Tom Waits, Robert Fripp, Albert Ayler and Stan Getz in it, but I suppose you never know.

I don't really dig the scream thing, but I understand it (or it makes some sense to me anyway) when juxtaposed against the various styles of sax. Overall it's a well-executed piece even if I don't like all of it.

As far as the bass goes, I'm a fretless player for the most part and I'm thinking more clank would be good, but I wasn't disappointed in how the bass came across other than perhaps lacking some low end (that may just be an on-line to my computer translation issue).

But as christoph says, if it's nagging you, it will only bother you more as time goes on. The second CD from the band I've been in for five years was recorded in a very "all one sound" style by one of the former guitarists and I prefer the exact opposite: all instruments with a distinct voice. I kept saying how much I didn't like my bass sound to no avail and now I have to live with having my name on something I never was happy with.

Edit: I went back and listened again and a couple more thoughts:

1. I added Robert Fripp in my list above because portions of this really remind me of something that might have ended up on Lizard (particularly the section around 1:00 +/-) if the whole lot had gone over the edge simultaneously (and I don't mean that in a bad way).
2. My comment about more clank from the bass applies only to some of the edgier sections. The other smoother sections might really benefit from fretless, or even upright (a la Bang on a Can). Yes, two separate basses would be a good thing.
3. I don't mean my comments to be negative, but I prefer what I prefer; clearly there's plenty of excellent musicianship here.

[Emm9T]

has it's moments and evokes King Crimson at times, overall great stuff. I'd recommend it to adventurous jazz and punk fans. Great art too!

[*ToNeS*]

I've used a fretless on one song and it sounded a lot more 'fitting' than the ol' fretted - but I'm generally an awful fretless player and some of the more demanding stuff will probably require some hard time in the woodshed before I can get it happening (tapping on a fretless: how's this gonna go? Will the world explode when I try it?).

Ultimately the sound I'm hearing in my head is a messed-up upright, like what Wolbers used on the verses in Fear Factory's Edgecrusher... except I don't want to play an upright! This tonal adventure might have to wait for the LP, though.

Some interesting takes on our vocalist there, Mainly. I bet you a million cents he doesn't even who any of those guys are. His favourite band? The Dandy Warhols. Go figure, huh!

[FretlessMainly]

You can tap on fretless, but the frets really help to get the notes ringing, so it takes a very precise and aggressive strike an octave above the fingered note. I don't really tap much, but occasionally I'll mess around with it. But since I like my action fairly high, it's not something I bother with much.

[IconBasser]

I definitely like this track alot more than the last one, it's pretty snazzy!

[*ToNeS*]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

I definitely like this track alot more than the last one, it's pretty snazzy!

Hey bra. That's interesting, what do you reckon's better/different between 'em?

[Dertygen]

damn good... but with something not brought up by others...

starting at 1:22... the drums... sound like they were recorded in another room and it's bothering ME!

your bass sounded fine BUT do what you feel inside is right

[*ToNeS*]

Originally Posted by Dertygen

damn good... but with something not brought up by others...

starting at 1:22... the drums... sound like they were recorded in another room and it's bothering ME!

Haha! That's an idea we haven't quite solidified yet (this track is still undergoing tweakage and hasn't been mastered yet, even though it's about 95% finito).

[StyleOverShow]

Interesting...would like to hear it on some better speakers than my workstation.

I enjoyed the energy. Thought the bass was a bit underpowered, in terms of whomp, in the first couple of minutes, between the screaming vocals and the fuzzed guitar..

Do you have an audience for this genre of music down under?

[*ToNeS*]

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

Interesting...would like to hear it on some better speakers than my workstation.

I enjoyed the energy. Thought the bass was a bit underpowered, in terms of whomp, in the first couple of minutes, between the screaming vocals and the fuzzed guitar..

Do you have an audience for this genre of music down under?

Not really. In Melbourne - which is Australia's artistic capital, allegedly - we're one of the few bands who play this kind of stuff. We stick out on just about every bill we're on like the sorest of thumbs

Thanks heavens for the internet. Americans seem to appreciate us a whole lot more than our own countrymen. Just about all the emails we get are from American bros demanding to know when the EP will be finished and may we please personally consecrate their copy with our seed.

[Marty Forrer]

Each to his own.

[yem]

I'm scared

[*ToNeS*]

Originally Posted by yem

I'm scared

If only you were reputable media outlet of some kind, I would quote this on our press release