It's taken me awhile to read through everything but there are some great stories in these threads and I can't wait for the book to come out. Please keep us updated!!!
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Interviewing Bassists Stories part 2
- Thread starter Thor
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The fate of the Sting Ray is central to the story arc of the book.
The manuscript arrived at the publisher today, so things are moving pretty fast. When the book is published, you'll see what happened to the Sting Ray.
Thanks for your kind comments and enthusiasm. It means a lot to me.
I used to be able to play the bass like this. When Stephen Jay finishes the song I wrote, "Ode to Bill Laswell and Pino Palladino," I'll post it on my future Web site. I used every single bass technique available and crammed it into one demented piece.
Although I'm at peace with losing the ability to play, I do have to say writing the book and getting back into the music world--however peripherally--is painful. That's okay. Pain reminds you that you're still alive.
We're ahead of schedule. I turned in the manuscript two weeks early, scanned all the photos myself, had my brother do a cover that was accepted, and did a mockup of a layout that the book designer can use as the basis, so this thing ought to be ready fairly soon.
Still, publishing is an iffy business, so until I have a copy in my hands, I won't believe it.
Very interesting... I can't even comprehend what is happening in that song. Catchy tune though.
Last night a reader here contacted me. From love to white-hot hate in about twenty minutes. With a perfect stranger. For anyone here thinking about doing anything that gets you public exposure, this is what happens. Luckily the Meniere's disease will keep me from doing personal appearances. If I had to do that, I'd take my pistol. This sort of thing really creeps me out because it shows a total lack of respect and a complete violation of boundaries.
As Marilyn Monroe said, "I'm always running onto other people's unconscious." This person told me he loves annoying people, and then when I told him he was trying too hard, he suddenly hated me for thinking I was annoyed by him.
You have to separate the artist from the art. I owe everyone a good story, but that's where it ends. Tom Wictor and Thomas Wictor the writer are not the same.
Begin message:
I was skimming through your thread up to post 184 and while I was reading a few of your stories, some names instantly popped into my head.
[Names withheld.]
If I am close, just twitch your nose *ahem*
I would offer more guesses, but those are the only stories I had a chance to read.
The fun of not naming names that everyone can guess is that we all get what we want.
Cheers,
Tom
I'll take that as a yes then.
Was that gothic girl band Kittie? I will look outside my window for smoke signals to see if I am correct
By "can" I mean "are capable of doing so." If I'd named names, you'd lose interest, the way we always do with tell-all books. I've neither confirmed nor denied. Ask Scott Thunes. He knows all.
I don't know Kittie. I'll look them up on Youtube.
T.
Oh please don't put yourself through that, they're terrible.
And I would absolutely love to talk to him if I had a way to break the ice I love nothing more than to talk to interesting people... it's why I sent you those silly and pointless emails. I might not be the most likable person in existence, but I am a devious little bastard
I really enjoy the way you tell your stories: you simply paint a picture of what happened, leaving the reader to come up with his/her own feelings on the subject. I respect that, as I seem to be allergic to overly contrived pieces that shove the writers own feeling down the reader's throat. Just wanted you to know that.
And it would be rude of me to not introduce myself also. I come with many names given to me by many people, but I have come to have a fond place in my heart for [withheld], "[withheld]" (or Mr. [withheld] for short.. I'm nothing if not sensibly asinine). I know it's silly stage name of mine given by a dear friend, but even Bruce Wayne must get a kick (somewhere in his deep-scarred psyche) out of being called Batman.
Just send Scott a message. He probably won't respond, since he hardly ever responds to anyone, but what can it hurt?
Tell him I said hi.
T.
He doesn't accept pm's unfortunately. Such a pity since I'm sure he would absolutely despise me, and I can never stray from a good chance at a clever, self-depreciating story about people I meet to tell at parties. Then again I never get invited to parties because getting said stories makes me a lot of enemies... such is life though.
You know you would be the absolute perfect person to write a bio or something about my band, but I have no songs and every musician I meet is a horrible flake so that would be a pointless gesture. I'll keep you in mind in the future for when I have a need for the bio and also want to make you roll your eyes at me.
Speaking of which, I have a funny story about that: I once tried to get put into the Guinness book of world records for having the most people roll their eyes at me and tell me to shove off. But then they did just that to me, and I was strangely pleased with myself.
All kidding aside, I wouldn't be so down on yourself. The great Sensei Thunes might know a lot, but you sure as hell seem to know a lot too.
You're trying too hard.
When you read my memoir, you'll see that I'm actually not down on myself at all. I'm precisely where I've always wanted to be, except with no money. But I don't need money, so I'm precisely where I've always wanted to be.
Listen to this and admire the bass. The bugle is spectacular. I mentioned this song in my memoir.
T
Those songs are far from my taste, but thank you for showing me them. I appreciate you taking the time to share something with me.
And trying too hard? I'm not trying at all, I'm just being myself. So very sorry for annoying you.
Not annoyed. Takes a lot more to annoy me. I meant it as unsolicited advice, which is worth what you paid for it.
My own taste encompasses pretty much everything, as long as it's good.
Gil Mellé wrote this piece in 20 minutes. The change 30 seconds into it is astounding.
Take the hint. We will both be better for it in the end if we just stop sending each other messages.
P.S. Just FYI, that last bit was meant to make you laugh. Don't be so serious.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After some hard thinking I have come to the conclusion that you would not just leave it at that and would possibly try to start something. For this I have blacklisted your email to avoid further conflict.
I have a very stressful life and I have a propensity to get sick with serious illnesses often, so I try to keep as positive as my situation allows me. This means being silly, being lighthearted, making jokes, not taking things seriously (however, I'm always honest and genuine), and being one of those dirty optimists as far as most things I can allow my self to be positive about.
I know you don't like how I act and I know you don't respond to how I act well, so I am forcing upon us a situation where we will not be able to talk to eachother. I'm not sorry for doing it, and I'm sure as hell not sorry for who I am no matter how hard you want me to be. Like I said, I made a mistake, and with this I am ensuring *I will not make it again.*
But as I said before, I have no hard feelings, I'm just being honest. I know you may think of me as being incapable of such, but I don't care. I don't care one bit.
I know you apparently don't like to "play games," so even if you don't respect me as a person, you damn well better respect me putting my foot down after you have insulted me. Farewell.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That said, I'm sorry if it seemed I was reacting very harshly. I was really just being straightforward and honest... as deadpan and earnest as I could muster.
I know emotions don't get through in the type and maybe that is why you responded the way you did but you have to understand that I pride myself on being 100% honest and genuine no matter the cost. To have you go on like that just set me off, and it took every ounce of my strength to make everything as civil as I managed.
I just had to get that off my chest what I said is nothing personal. I also don't expect an apology (one because I figure you aren't the type and two because I can't receive your emails :X ).
Wish you all the best though.
As Marilyn Monroe said, "I'm always running onto other people's unconscious." This person told me he loves annoying people, and then when I told him he was trying too hard, he suddenly hated me for thinking I was annoyed by him.
You have to separate the artist from the art. I owe everyone a good story, but that's where it ends. Tom Wictor and Thomas Wictor the writer are not the same.
Begin message:
I was skimming through your thread up to post 184 and while I was reading a few of your stories, some names instantly popped into my head.
[Names withheld.]
If I am close, just twitch your nose *ahem*
I would offer more guesses, but those are the only stories I had a chance to read.
The fun of not naming names that everyone can guess is that we all get what we want.
Cheers,
Tom
I'll take that as a yes then.
Was that gothic girl band Kittie? I will look outside my window for smoke signals to see if I am correct
By "can" I mean "are capable of doing so." If I'd named names, you'd lose interest, the way we always do with tell-all books. I've neither confirmed nor denied. Ask Scott Thunes. He knows all.
I don't know Kittie. I'll look them up on Youtube.
T.
Oh please don't put yourself through that, they're terrible.
And I would absolutely love to talk to him if I had a way to break the ice I love nothing more than to talk to interesting people... it's why I sent you those silly and pointless emails. I might not be the most likable person in existence, but I am a devious little bastard
I really enjoy the way you tell your stories: you simply paint a picture of what happened, leaving the reader to come up with his/her own feelings on the subject. I respect that, as I seem to be allergic to overly contrived pieces that shove the writers own feeling down the reader's throat. Just wanted you to know that.
And it would be rude of me to not introduce myself also. I come with many names given to me by many people, but I have come to have a fond place in my heart for [withheld], "[withheld]" (or Mr. [withheld] for short.. I'm nothing if not sensibly asinine). I know it's silly stage name of mine given by a dear friend, but even Bruce Wayne must get a kick (somewhere in his deep-scarred psyche) out of being called Batman.
Just send Scott a message. He probably won't respond, since he hardly ever responds to anyone, but what can it hurt?
Tell him I said hi.
T.
He doesn't accept pm's unfortunately. Such a pity since I'm sure he would absolutely despise me, and I can never stray from a good chance at a clever, self-depreciating story about people I meet to tell at parties. Then again I never get invited to parties because getting said stories makes me a lot of enemies... such is life though.
You know you would be the absolute perfect person to write a bio or something about my band, but I have no songs and every musician I meet is a horrible flake so that would be a pointless gesture. I'll keep you in mind in the future for when I have a need for the bio and also want to make you roll your eyes at me.
Speaking of which, I have a funny story about that: I once tried to get put into the Guinness book of world records for having the most people roll their eyes at me and tell me to shove off. But then they did just that to me, and I was strangely pleased with myself.
All kidding aside, I wouldn't be so down on yourself. The great Sensei Thunes might know a lot, but you sure as hell seem to know a lot too.
You're trying too hard.
When you read my memoir, you'll see that I'm actually not down on myself at all. I'm precisely where I've always wanted to be, except with no money. But I don't need money, so I'm precisely where I've always wanted to be.
Listen to this and admire the bass. The bugle is spectacular. I mentioned this song in my memoir.
T
Those songs are far from my taste, but thank you for showing me them. I appreciate you taking the time to share something with me.
And trying too hard? I'm not trying at all, I'm just being myself. So very sorry for annoying you.
Not annoyed. Takes a lot more to annoy me. I meant it as unsolicited advice, which is worth what you paid for it.
My own taste encompasses pretty much everything, as long as it's good.
Gil Mellé wrote this piece in 20 minutes. The change 30 seconds into it is astounding.
Take the hint. We will both be better for it in the end if we just stop sending each other messages.
P.S. Just FYI, that last bit was meant to make you laugh. Don't be so serious.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After some hard thinking I have come to the conclusion that you would not just leave it at that and would possibly try to start something. For this I have blacklisted your email to avoid further conflict.
I have a very stressful life and I have a propensity to get sick with serious illnesses often, so I try to keep as positive as my situation allows me. This means being silly, being lighthearted, making jokes, not taking things seriously (however, I'm always honest and genuine), and being one of those dirty optimists as far as most things I can allow my self to be positive about.
I know you don't like how I act and I know you don't respond to how I act well, so I am forcing upon us a situation where we will not be able to talk to eachother. I'm not sorry for doing it, and I'm sure as hell not sorry for who I am no matter how hard you want me to be. Like I said, I made a mistake, and with this I am ensuring *I will not make it again.*
But as I said before, I have no hard feelings, I'm just being honest. I know you may think of me as being incapable of such, but I don't care. I don't care one bit.
I know you apparently don't like to "play games," so even if you don't respect me as a person, you damn well better respect me putting my foot down after you have insulted me. Farewell.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That said, I'm sorry if it seemed I was reacting very harshly. I was really just being straightforward and honest... as deadpan and earnest as I could muster.
I know emotions don't get through in the type and maybe that is why you responded the way you did but you have to understand that I pride myself on being 100% honest and genuine no matter the cost. To have you go on like that just set me off, and it took every ounce of my strength to make everything as civil as I managed.
I just had to get that off my chest what I said is nothing personal. I also don't expect an apology (one because I figure you aren't the type and two because I can't receive your emails :X ).
Wish you all the best though.
He started the conversation, and acted pathetic to illicit pity from you. Then demanded that *you* stop talking to him.
I don't think you were too harsh at all, just honest. Definitely a strange bit of responses.
I don't think you were too harsh at all, just honest. Definitely a strange bit of responses.
"Hi! I like to annoy people! My goal is to annoy as many people as possible! I'm not likeable! I have a stage name, like Batman! I'm a devious little bastard! And you shouldn't be too hard on yourself!"
"Um, you're trying too hard."
"How dare you! Who the hell do you think you are? You're just a bottled-up neurotic! I thought you were my friend!"
There's a famous scene in the The King Comedy, in which Jerry Lewis is walking down the street, and a woman at a pay phone yells at him that she's his biggest fan; she loves him, and she has her husband on the phone. Could he say hello to her husband?
"I really don't have time right now," Jerry says. "I'm sorry."
Without missing a beat, the woman screams, "You should only get cancer!"
In Ghosts, there's a short story titled "Flashback: L.A. in Tokyo" that was exactly the same as last night's little exchange, except at the end I got to see the most gorgeous woman in the world get naked.
So, if you're going to harass me with this psychodrama again, at least be female, beautiful, and naked. Thanks in advance.
These are truly words of wisdom and only make me more excited for this book!
Tom, don't forget you have a whole captive audience of well-adjusted literates who are not neurotic and whose shenanigans are cheeky and fun. Please don't hold the tragic antics of one nutball against the rest of us. Not all of us are celebrity-stalking lunatics.
P.S. Where do you live? Can you PM me your home address?
P.P.S. Never mind, found it. By the way, you should get some rest - you look like hell!
P.S. Where do you live? Can you PM me your home address?
P.P.S. Never mind, found it. By the way, you should get some rest - you look like hell!
You know what? At this point it's just to laugh. There's no better career move than being taken out by a stalker.
In fact, I wrote a whole section in the book about how I turned the tables on my stalker. It's quite satisfying. This old dog still has some teeth.
Just heard from the publisher that Ghosts and Ballyhoo will go to the printer at the end of SEPTEMBER.
It will retail for about $14.99.
This is the fastest a book by a major publisher has ever been produced, I think.
It will retail for about $14.99.
This is the fastest a book by a major publisher has ever been produced, I think.
Actually, I owe everyone here my thanks for making this a reality.
So, thanks, Talkbass.com.
That was really quick. On took 1.6 threads to conceive, create, and conquer. Congratulations Tom.
If it goes to the printer at the end of September, it'll be available by Christmas.You're Welcome.
Waiting on release.
Just sayin'.
Thank you.
I wrote it in such a way that you'll be inclined (I hope) to reread it. I was very careful to retain the flavor of these two threads and not give in to the temptation of insulting your intelligence by making the book all about me and my piddly issues.
The problem was how to write a memoir about being a failed music journalist and keep it up to date even though I stopped writing about music in 2003. I think I solved it handily.
It is a memoir, so personal issues are involved, but I think I made them universal and entertaining enough so that it isn't an Oprah puke-fest of undignified, no-holds-barred revelation. I left out far more than I put in, and the focus is always on music as well as the larger issues in life.
The memoir is about how to overcome terrible things that you have no control over, and how to accept the permanent ramifications of bad, irrevocable decisions that cost you everything.
It's a big book, in terms of themes, but it'll make you laugh more than anything.
"What am I, some kind of clown? I make you laugh?"
Why, yes! I am, and I do.
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