New demo track, wondering what you all think.

[cassius987]

I just put a track called "Spark" up on my Myspace page. I've been toying with it ever since I came up with the main bass line a few months ago and this is where it's at. While I've yet to add vocals, part of me feels like it kinda' stands on its own. I was wondering what some of the folks at RRF thought--criticism is welcome. The stuff I used to record it: my 4003 MG x2 Toasters mono into GB5, my 4003FL AFG x2 Toasters (same), some "musical typing" for the MIDI parts, and... yeah. That's basically it. The 4003 is both the main line and the "clank" chords. The 4003FL is the lead part towards the end.

URL: http://www.myspace.com/joshuachandlerplaysbass

There's also a frighteningly raw version of "Hat Trick" I put up for fun, replacing the mixed version. If any of you remember the original it might be fun to do a comparison. That track features the 4003 AFG with Hi-Gains, direct through a Gas Cooker pre and an Ashdown pre in tandem. Funny story, the guitarist was mad that I made him do this raw track in just one take (so we could get the bass and drums over with), but he had agreed to do it the day before and I made him stick to it. He still managed to waste tons of studio hours later with gobs of overdubs so it all came out in the wash, and then some.

[rickenbrother]

Very cool stuff, Joshua! I like it!
The main bass line in Sparks reminds of Stings style, simple but catchy.

Hat Trick is hot! Hey, don't you know you can't play slap style on a Rick!

[cassius987]

Thank you Joey!

The main bass line in Sparks reminds of Stings style, simple but catchy.

In the last few years I've become a real trip hop, dance, and electronica fiend. I think it's influencing my compositions--definitely many aspects of "Spark" are more about getting people to bob their heads than to notice my playing.

Hat Trick is hot! Hey, don't you know you can't play slap style on a Rick!

For some reason that version of Hat Trick (the raw, "not as good" version) has so much more a volume and presence, especially in the bass part and drums, than the final mixed/mastered version. I really think the engineer didn't know what he was doing because, although the final version is a lot more polished, I'm nowhere near as happy with the tone of the bass and the drums, and ultimately the whole song. It was our first (and last) time in the studio as a band--I don't think we could tell that we may have put ourselves in the wrong hands.

I think I recall hearing Jaymi do some slap on a 4001--it was masterful.

[walker]

Cool vibe, Josh. To me 'Sparks' sounds like a great rhythm track to support a melody, be it vocal or instrumental, so my vote is: Don't stop there! Great use of the many sounds a Rick can make.

Nice work on 'Hat Trick.' Sweet playing!

[kiramdear]

Very groovy, Joshua! Nice, sensitive and captivating bass work. I listened to them all and got pulled right in and taken away. Spark could be the beginning of a nice movie soundtrack. Keep up the good work!

[schoolside]

You play very well, This definitely has potential. I like the Bass line, it could support all kinds of interesting melody's. Might try a key change... and maybe a drum beat that is a little more unusual or predictable. I realize of course that takes a lot of time... Nice work!

[cassius987]

Thanks for the comments, all! Yeah... "Spark" will not be stopping here. While back in my hometown of Springfield, MO, a couple of different bands I used to work with have hit me up to go into the studio and lay down some bass. "Hat Trick" and several songs I wrote while playing for APIA were revisited, running my 4003 MG through a beefy-sounding Ampeg 4x10 (front-ported), with the treble pickup run ROS to mono (we'd have done full ROS but there were only 8 tracks available for simultaneous live recording in our jerryrigged setup). As for "Spark", I decided to let another band have a go at it--I imported it into the studio's computer from my laptop, recording a new solo--using the classic ROS clean neck/dirty bridge--and said, "Have fun fellas." I'm just going to let them surprise me and see what they do with it. Apparently they'll put "real" drums on it, which will be nice.

Anyways, I look forward to sharing the results of both with you. I think the APIA material got a much-needed upgrade from its last recorded incarnation, and the stuff I did for my friend Tony's band, including lending out "Spark" to the project, will be fun to hear when it's finished as well. I'll be sure to post most if not all of it.

[ricmic]

Bro, great stuff as usual.I really liked the feel of Spark. Thanks for sharing. Mark

[1a12]

J, you definitely move some *** with "Spark". Mission accomplished on that one.