September 28, 2008 - Russell Gould

My Influences:


Russell Gould
brother

Russell is my older brother. He's been here since I can remember (obviously).
Like many older brothers, he was mean and seemed to enjoy tormenting me when he fancied it.
Like many younger brothers, I envied what my older brother had- toys, friends, age ...
Thankfully, all that was just the common childhood experience. The younger years have worn off and I'm now counting the lessons Russell shared with me:
Older brothers (and just about everyone else in the world) need a little time to themselves to do their own thing and not be bothered by younger brothers (and/or just about everyone else in the world).
Younger brothers (and just about everyone else in the world) need to stop covetting that which they do not have and enjoy what they do have.
- That may be one of the best lessons Russell ever gave me. I eventually desired to be my very own person and enjoy the things that truly made me happy; I stopped wanting the things that made Russell happy. He helped me to pass the superficial and the jealous so that I could find the deeply, personally true, giving me no need to keep up with the Jones'.

Russell and Ryan (my first band!)
Russell was sporting pirate gear WAY before it was cool! Check out my Darth Vader shirt! (I still have the sunglasses Russell is wearing.)

Moving into our adult years, Russell has been a strong pillar of support. He regularly reminds me of his pride in me for what I have done this far. He's always looking out for me and checking in on my health and welfare.

I'm very proud of Russell, too.
He is raising a very well-behaved, highly intelligent manchild. Russell has guided my nephew (without the aid of parenting classes or any fancy new child psychology books) to become a creative, highly curious and very questioning, observant, peaceful, thoughtful, loving, discplined human being. Russell is nothing short of a great father. (Stands to reason ... he was raised by a great father - my Dad!)

In short, Brother Russell, like many older brothers, is a good man.
I'm certainly honored to call him my brother. I'm deeply moved to know that he loves me and that he supports me. I'm thankful to know that he is there for me. I cherish every memory I have of him and look forward to those that we will forge in the future!

Thank you, Russell, for everything you have given me and for the great man and great brother you are to me!

Happy Birthday!
I love you!

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

~Davy Crockett

September 21, 2008 - Sammy

My Influences:

Sam Butcher
brother, friend, guitar

I haven't spent much time in this bit talking about my brothers. There are plenty of them to discuss.

In honor of his birthday, it is my distinguished honor to introduce to you a man very near and dear to me, my brother, Sam.

I can't say enough about my feelings for Sam; he has always been a very good friend; he has never judged me in any way; he has always done whatever he could to lift my spirits if they sank; he has always expressed empathy for whatever tribulations I suffered; he has been at my side to experience and to participate in some of the funniest and lightest moments of my life; he has also helped me deal with the sadness and despair life can dish out.
In short, Sam is a great brother! Sam is a great friend! Sam is a great human being!

And, so ...
Sam and I got to know each other when my Mom and his Dad married (we were both around ten or eleven years old). We hung out now and again but never a whole lot in those earlier years.
Eventually, the teen years hit and Sam and I started hanging out quite a bit. We were both playing guitar and digging the same music (please see last week's bit about Napalm Death). We shared the same attitude about life and the folks surrounding us. Despite that pessimism, we did all we could to fully enjoy what little came our way with light hearts and big smiles. We even started putting our own band together - SEATH (a long story for another time).

Of course, high school came to a close and started hinting at the end of my teenaged adventures. I signed my life away to Uncle Sam and waved goodbye to my family.
During that time, Sam did what he could to stay in touch. His letters were some of the best letters I received while I served this country. He wrote of lighter moments and silly times and even sent the letters on random silly things (i.e. A paper plate).

On my return to the civilian world, Sammy and I didn't live too far from each other. We ended up working in the same factory (different shifts, unfortunately; although, I did work with Albert, another brother). He introduced me to a fellow who would become another very close friend, Jeff, who moved to Austin with me in 1999.

We don't get to see each other very much any longer. He is at home in PA with his beautiful family. However, no matter how much time apart, when we get together, it seems like it was only yesterday that we last hung out and the good times return.

Sam has always been a best friend and a great human being and remains to be so!
He's always been a great example of how to keep things light. I couldn't ask for a better brother!

Happy birthday, Sam! I love you and miss you!

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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."

~Davy Crockett

September 14, 2008 - Napalm Death

My Influences:



Napalm Death
grindcore

So, as I may have mentioned before, there's a bit of metal and punk rock in my musical history. It was time well spent, if you ask me. I'm still putting to use all the lessons I learned from those years.
One of the bands I studied during that time of my life: Napalm Death.
What did I learn?

Actually, I could credit their present vocalist, "Barney" Greenway, as one of my earliest vocal influences (quite possibly, vocal coach). A good friend and I spent quite a bit of time reverse engineering and then practicing his vocal techniques as we listened to the band's albums. What we heard was a low rumbling of some very relaxed vocal cords. The power came from the diaphragm, blowing air across the cords and up through the throat. Done correctly, it produced a loud, guttural roar.
You now know where I got my first vocal lessons and why my singing voice leans towards the higher volumes.

Musically, Napalm Death helped me (along with all the metal and punk in my life) to play fast! Napalm's music is NOT slow. Some folks honor this band as the first "grindcore" band. In fact, the term is attributed to Mick Harris, the band's drummer (1986-92). Shane Embury, Napalm's bassist, offers the best explanation of grindcore, "It's just everything going at a hundred miles per hour, basically." His "everything" refers to hard-core punk, heavy metal, noise, and industrial music altogether.
There weren't too many Napalm Death tunes I couldn't play on the old guitar back then. (Might be a different story these days.)

I enjoyed the music so much from this band. As a bonus, the lyrics pleased me. In that day (and, I'm sure it's just as bad today), a lot of death metal bands had some rather stupid lyrics. (Good thing the vocal style covered up most of that.) Napalm's lyrics dealt with so many social issues that concerned me then (AND NOW). They were very much upset by the corporate imperialism of the world (that still controls us today). They spoke out against racism and sexism. The band had a lot of good things to say and kept a lot of malleable teenagers' minds asking better questions.

So, Napalm Death was and is a great influence and inspiration to me. Every couple of months, those older recordings come out and I grab for a guitar to see what I can remember and to see what I can still physically pull off. To my surprise I can remember a lot; I can also pull off a lot of the physical end of the music ... perhaps, one day in my future, I will bust off some of the rust and start another metal band?!



Thanks, Napalm Death! ... for all those shows at the Troc! ... for the great musical and social guidance! ... for all the great music!

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Some links:

Metal Archives - http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=219
Official ND Website - http://www.napalmdeath.org/
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"Remember that a government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have."
~Davy Crockett