False Paradigm

I wrote and recorded this song for a thread over at the Something Awful forums for a contest we called “The Aruba Jam”. I came across it when cleaning out some old files. I would love to have the original tracks because I think the judicious use of “telephone eq” and flanger on the vocals is ridiculous. Otherwise I’m marginally happy with the end product.

Nightmare Woman

Up until this point I’ve been recording with either my Fender DG-11 acoustic or my beat-up 1980s Strat – which has been MIA since leaving my mother’s (probably in the garage). I’ve been considering getting a new guitar despite the economy spiraling into the abyss.

Since beginning to play, I’ve always wanted an electric of good quality and feel. My old Strat was worth more as firewood than fixing up, though I had considered rehabing it anyway; mostly to have a project to work on. I’d rather use that money to buy a new or quality used guitar though.

I have been to various retailers recently, trying out several models and think I have narrowed it down to a couple that I would consider owning.

Schecter C-1 – Has a fast action, smooth tone, and great sustain. Best fret board feel for under $600. It seems perfect for everything from smooth jazz to dirty blues. The overdrive sound isn’t half bad either. Oh, and the classic upgrade with gold hardware and specialty inlay is gorgeous.

Ibanez S470DX – I never was a big fan of Ibanez until I picked up this guitar. The neck is ultra thin and flat making it really easy for my fat little hands to find their way around. The sound is extra chunky and dark, but not muddy. I like the H-S-H pickup scheme which may make this guitar a little more versatile (which is a pleasant surprise from metal-heavy Ibanez).

PRS Mira – This is more of a “if I were rich” choice. I played this guitar for about 5 minutes and then had to leave before I embarrassed myself. Just like the the hottest girl in the world that loves to give head, swallows, never turns down sex, cooks me dinner, does my laundry, is sophisticated, rational, intelligent, and elegant – I don’t deserve this guitar. And just like that girl, I can’t afford it either. I’m confident at this point that PRS makes the most versatile, beautiful, and greatest sounding guitars in the world.

I have entered the RPM Challenge for the month of February. Every time I toy with the idea of my first album, the album never ends up getting anywhere. At this point, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it, and not doing anything about it.

So this time, I have to. It will probably end up pretty shitty – 10 songs or 35min of material in one month? Writing and recording? I really can’t imagine how crazy this will actually turn out.

I’m registered as the band “Lefty and the Strangers” because that is the name I planned my first release to be from, and its funny. I am known as “Lefty”, and the kind folks that will join me on the project will be “The Strangers”. I know it isn’t original, but I like the idea and that is what I’m going with. Wish me luck.