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

August 31, 2008 - Freddie Mendoza

My Influences:

Freddie Mendoza
trombone

Upon arrival in Austin in 1999, the instructions were to visit The Elephant Room on Wednesdays from 6 to 8pm to find and enjoy The Jazz Pharaohs. I obediently headed to the basement and found myself greeted by a band full of mostly familiar faces. The music that I enjoyed that day was easily the best I had heard until that moment! I didn't miss a Wednesday after that unless I picked up a gig or some unavoidable emergency arose. School was in session and I couldn't miss a class.

Among the professors teaching on that stage was Freddie Mendoza.
In the following year and a half of Elephant Room jazz class, though I didn't speak very much with Freddie, I took a whole lot of notes on how he worked with the band and how me performed individually. His contribution was never less than absolutely professional and always musically spot-on.
I stopped taking the class after a year and a half ... The Pharaohs decided to take me on as the new bassist.

So, I started a new class at The Elephant Room. I was 100% nerves every Wednesday, playing with such incredible professors. Nevertheless, as great musicianers and great teachers, the rest of the band showed me how to relax and just play. Freddie always shot me what signals I needed to guide me through arrangements and odd chord changes.
In seven years, I've learned so much about music as a soloist and as a band member from Freddie. He's also been a good friend willing to share a joke or some enlightening conversation - verbally and musically.

Freddie Mendoza is an Austin treasure. He is an amazing musician and consummate professional. He practices what he preaches and expects nothing less from those close to him.
It is a great pleasure to make music with you, Freddie. Thank you and I look forward, as always, to playing with you again!


Some links:

Texas State University - http://www.txstate.edu/jazzstudies/faculty/mendoza.html
The Jazz Pharaohs - http://www.art-n-music.com/112/mu/jph/fred.html
Monster Big Band - www.monsterbigband.com

and in honor of some of Freddie's musical interests:
Black Sabbath website - www.black-sabbath.com

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

August 24, 2008 - Geezer Butler

My Influences:

Geezer Butler
Electric Bass Guitar

I did not begin my musical life with the string bass and the music of the early twentieth century. My official beginnings were with the guitar and the rock, metal, and punk rock of later twentieth century.
It took about a year of testing out different varieties of rock and metal before one of the greatest bands - ever - popped into my reality: Black Sabbath! The first song I figured out on my own was, in fact, "Black Sabbath." Hearing a tri-tone isn't that exciting these days but, in musical infancy, it was a good place to start.
As it turns out, Mr. Butler was the man behind the tri-tone in the first song I taught myself. I think that's enough influence right there, right? With a simple tri-tone, Geezer Butler and Sabbath won me over and laid out a very clear path of study for me.
Study rhythm, time, and feel!
From that point on, I committed most of the Black Sabbath (Ozzy years) repertoire to memory. I spent most of the time learning the riffs. Tony Iommi's solos were and are fantastic but didn't appeal to me as directly as the bass lines for some reason. So, I learned just a few of the guitar solos but studied and played every bass line - on guitar.
I also spent a great deal of time listening to how the bass played with or against the drums, the guitar, and the vocals throughout. And, I loved it!

Like our subject, I moved from guitar to bass (string bass). Of course, I ended up in Austin playing a different genre of music ...

I'm still mostly focused on rhythm, time, and feel. Bassists who are happy to just lay it down are my favorites; fancy technical wizardry and musical gymnastics don't excite me too much. While playing "Star Dust" or "That's A-Plenty" or any old jazz standard, I'm not only thinking of how Pops Foster would play it, but how Geezer Butler would play it (then I smoosh those ideas together into one, throw that idea away, and just play it how I feel it). Actually, while playing those jazz tunes, I might spend more time considering the great similarities in feel and bass playing skill shared by Pops Foster and Geezer Butler. (How about that coincidental similarity in nicknames?! Maybe I ought to find myself with some sort of oldster moniker; is it the secret to bassist success?)

Thank you so very much for the stellar beginnings and the continued inspiration, Mr. Butler! It's a great honor to follow the path you've beaten.

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Some links:

Geezer Butler website - www.geezerbutler.com
Black Sabbath website - http://www.black-sabbath.com/personnel/butler.html
Geezer Butler quotes - http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/geezer_butler.html

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

August 17, 2008 - Amanda

My Influences:

Amanda
Arts Enthusiast, Beautiful Human

A good six or so years ago I played one of my first gigs at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport with my old pals The Boxcar Preachers - http://www.boxcarpreachers.com/. It's an interesting gig; lots of folks are thrilled to have some live music to distract them from the altogether unpleasant experience that is air travel; lots of folks don't even seem aware that there is music to enjoy; it's also a great joy to play under the incessant robotic announcements regarding mindfulness of one's baggage. Nevertheless, a gig is a gig and playing for the folks that do enjoy music, does make the gig worth the security check.

... On the break, Korey - http://www.iamkorey.com/ - and I took a little walk down the concourse to stretch and headed back. We returned to meet the father of a family who had been enjoying the music during the first set. He motioned for his four or five year old daughter to join our conversation. She was pretty shy so Dad tried to encourage her to speak, "Go ahead, you can tell them what you told me." She was still too shy to speak but she was able to hand to each of us a gift she made while she listened to us play earlier.
The gift was the photo above, signed across the top. Amanda had drawn five of these beautiful pieces, each in a different color for each member of the band.
Dad realized she wasn't going to speak to us and said, "In her words, 'The band gave me the gift of music, I want to give them the gift of art.'"
It didn't take long before there was a small lump in my throat.

Folks, Amanda surely did give me the gift of art. She also gave me the beautiful gift of selfless gratitude, and she did it with love.
Amanda continues to give me the same gift. Everyday, I look at her art (as soon as I came home that day, it was framed and hung on the wall for all to see). Everyday, a small child hugs me with love, kindness, and gratitude in her heart.
She is twice as old now and, perhaps, she has completely forgotten that one very sweet gesture but I will never forget it. It is easily one of the very best rewards I have ever received.

Amanda, if you are out there, thank you, and please, know that I thank you every day of my life.

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

Aug. 10, 2008 - Frank Meyer

My Influences:

Frank Meyer
guitar, ukulele, string bass, voice, songwriting, natural building, all-around good human

Friends, meet a guy who cares about the good things in life. Meet a guy who is looking out for the future of the planet and the good folks who live here. Meet a guy who is a great talent.

I met Frank a number of years ago. Somebody played a cold-hearted practical joke on Frank by giving him my information and telling him that I would be a good bassist for a couple of gigs. As it turns out, Frank is a glutton for punishment and has hired me many times since.

Frank is a wonderful songwriter! His tunes are all good fun as well as meaningful; what could be better?
Not only are his tunes wonderful, his delivery of his tunes is fantastic! Frank has a great voice and a natural ability to perform his material with very little effort and quite a bit of heartfelt grace.

Frank is not just a great songwriting musicianer!
He is a hardworking builder. Mr. Meyer is a veteran natural builder; by that I mean Frank builds environmentally conscious structures using sustainable material and ecologically sound practices.
He has even organized a Natural Building Colloquium here in Texas.

Frank walks the high ground; I'm proud to know him and call him a friend. He is really trying to (and does) make a difference in the world and really trying to help others do the same! Furthermore, (and very important to me!) he does it all in very good humour. Frank smiles with his head, hands, and heart.

Thank you very much, Frank!


Some links:

Frank's website (music and building): http://www.thangmaker.com/
For Sale: http://www.thangmaker.com/merchandise.htm
Natural Building Colloquium Texas 2007 - http://www.naturalbuildingtexas.org/

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

July 20, 2008 - Benny

My Influences:

Sgt. Benjamin T. Upton, USMC
Bagpipes, accordion, electric bass guitar, guitar, harmonica, etc.

In 1994, I was (feeling) stuck in Okinawa. Culture shock didn't treat me too well and I hid in my barracks room away from the drunks that populated Camp Hansen and elsewhere on the island.
Luckily and thankfully, Benny, The Sniper happened along. We met through another malcontent Marine who wanted to put together a punk rock band.
Ben shook me out of my culture shock funk and we started exploring the finer bits of Okinawa (far away from Camp Hansen)! He was/is a very silly man and, like me, seems to have been raised on Monty Python. Life is to be done in a random manner, backwards, upside down, tossed and turned, jumbled, odd, and as absurd as possible. We were fast friends and have been close ever since.
As it goes for me, we were both assigned to the 31st MEU (SOC) as attachments to a platoon of Combat Engineers. Benny and I trained together day and night for that year in Okinawa. If we weren't training together on or off base, we were playing music together for ourselves or in clubs in the City or taking adventures around Okinawa learning its fascinating history and its beautiful culture.

Benny and I have stayed in touch over the years. I'm very proud to call him a close friend. There are very few folks I trust in a pinch, warriors that will watch my back always; Benny is one. I also trust him to speak his mind and share his honest thoughts. And, of course, life is always interesting when Benny is near.
He is a good man, a good warrior, and a great friend!

SQWAK!


Some links:
http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=56087&

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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
~ Thomas Jefferson

July 13, 2008 - The Big Jug Band

My Influences:

The Big Jug Band

Weird stuff seems to happen (to me) on a fairly regular basis. I'm not entirely sure whether I seek it out or I attract it (it may be both) or that's just how things are in the Universe? Most of that weird stuff has a habit of presenting me with opportunities for positive and/or constructive growth.
The Big Jug Band is definitely weird stuff.
The Big Jug Band has been nothing but positive and constructive on its own, let alone its positive and constructive influence on me.

As I mentioned before (http://ryan-gould.blogspot.com/2008/06/feb-11-2008-wags-macklin.html), in late 1999, an ad ran in the Austin Chronicle asking for interested parties to contact the poster. The poster was our good friend and famous bare-knuckle boxer, Wags Macklin, Wash-Tub Bassist.
I met with this illustrious gentlemen. He told me that two others had responded; the four of us met soon after. Brady Coleman, Craig High, Wags Macklin and I stumbled on each other and, unintentionally, struck up a beautiful relationship that grew into something amazing.

We would meet on the back porch at Craig's or in Brady's kitchen on regular basis. We'd play music, enjoy BBQ, share some tales and get hip to some cool stuff going on in town. No matter what we did, I felt closer and closer to the band and it became less and less like a band and more and more like family - brothers and sisters, that is; not cousins.

Over these last eight years, The Big Jug Band has grown, by ones, by twos, by fours, by fives ... no matter the number, it has also grown happily. Each new member has brought (brings) something wonderful and fresh making our hearts lighter and expanding our ideas, educating and energizing our souls and minds.
(I'm using that particular pronoun because it's a safe bet that most of the band members will say the same thing if you ask them).
Individuals and bands have not only joined this bunch, individuals and bands have struck up and ventured forth from this bunch to become contributing members of Austin's music scene. So, you can thank a Jug Band for, at least, some of the music around town!



The Big Jug Band has affected me and continues to do so in a notable way. I have met some of the dearest people in my life through this band. These folks have supported me and loved me unconditionally, they have watched out for me in troubled times and celebrated with me during momentous occassions. The Big Jug Band is a community of its own due its size and it is good example of what we should all be trying to do in the bigger picture: look out for each other.
Thanks Big Jug Band family; I love you!

Some links:
www.myspace.com/thebigjugband

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"In a man's mind, his face is on his arm because he wears his heart on his sleeve." ~ E. Hayes, June 2008

July 6, 2008 - Brady Coleman

My Influences:



Brady Coleman
guitar, fiddle, acting, marrying, lawyering

Today's bit rounds out the original Uncle Smithee's Big Jug Band line-up.
Brady Coleman was one of the three who responded to the ever-intrepid Wags Macklin's "BASS (Washtub)" ad in the Austin Chronicle. That was my introduction to this wonderful human being.

What I remember about my first hangs with Brady is the incredible lightness of spirit that he brought with him. In an entirely effortless manner, he walked into the room and, somehow, made my troubles (if not everyone's troubles) weigh very much less.
There's just something about the way Brady carries himself and what he wants to give to the world. It was and is always a pleasure to be in his company, let alone hold a conversation with him or play music with him or listen to and/or watch him perform. It was and is a spiritually healing hang, too!

When Brady hosts Jug Band jams at his place, he's kind, gracious and generous. When he swings by for jams at our place or any other place, he's the very same. Wherever he goes, he's kind, gracious and generous.

Brady's also been a great sounding board. He's always given me an open ear as well as intelligent advice. He's a true friend and truly great person; so much so, that Lauryn and I asked him to be an officiant (along with brother Craig) for our wedding. (Should you ever want a two-officiant marrying team for your wedding, these are the guys to do it!)

Brady, you are incredible! Thanks for the great music, great friendship, great officiating and great inspiration in the past and in the future. You are the person more of us should be!

Some links:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170952/
Fancy Resume: http://www.actorsclearinghouse.com/oncam/male/bradycoleman.html
Melancholy Ramblers: http://www.melancholyramblers.com/

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"In a man's mind, his face is on his arm because he wears his heart on his sleeve."
~ E. Hayes, June 2008