Sapphire Rebellion

I’m a little late getting this update out, but I have some
pretty good reasons…

I recently got approved to play at an annual festival called
Wicked Faire in Somerset, NJ! This was a complete surprise
to me as many festivals require you to apply a year in
advance. I’d all but given up hope on getting to play any
of them anytime soon.

But, luck struck and I got accepted. This set into motion
a fury of activity to get ready for the event, i.e. planning
my practice schedule, making sure I have supplies, arranging
for the time to drive, and…

Making this short video to introduce myself to any attendees
who might watch it:

It’s part of my plan to make more video updates, so it’s
kind of like “step one.”

Hope you enjoy it!

Technorati Tags: faire, sapphire rebellion, tim curry, wicked, wicked faire

As a traveling musician, I needed extra cargo space to carry our band equipment. We had to carry a drum kit as well as a PA for venues that did not provide one. Here are some things that I didn’t think about before buying an enclosed trailer to fill this need. I’m going to write about them here so that you can take them into consideration before making a decision about whether or not to buy a trailer for yourself.

Before buying a trailer, realize that trailers are not hard to steal, so you’ll need locks. You’ll need a lock that goes inside the part that fits onto the hitch, as well as one for the lever that opens and closes it. However, even with both of these locks in place, your trailer can still be stolen. The best protection is a wheel lock that goes right on the wheel. The catch (there’s always a catch, isn’t there?) is that a wheel lock attaches to one of the lug nuts of the wheel you wish to lock. So, every time you wish to remove or use the lock, you must remove or secure the wheel lock fastener onto or off of the lug nut. The alternative is to get that tire balanced with the fastener on it so that you don’t ever have to remove it.

Also before buying a trailer, know that parking is going to be a hassle. Your combined vehicle will now take up two spaces everywhere you go. To park on the street, you’ll need two consecutive spaces; good luck with that. Some parking garages won’t even let you in! And any parking lot or garage that does let you in is going to charge you for each vehicle. That’s right, you’ll pay parking fees for the towing vehicle and the enclosed trailer you are towing, and it adds up fast!

And finally before buying a trailer, note that your gas mileage is going to take a hit. This will depend on the size of the trailer that you wish to tow because of the weight, as well as the dimensions of the trailer. Even when an enclosed trailer is empty, it can add a considerable amount of wind resistance to your towing vehicle and it’s kind of like pulling a giant sail. With a 4-cylinder engine like mine, this really affects fuel economy. You might not notice as much of a difference if you drive an 8-cylinder diesel van that already only gets 13 mpg, or if you only plan on towing around town where your speed is relatively low. But I would recommend getting only a smaller trailer like a 4×6, if you have a big enough 4-cylinder engine, and to have at least 6 cylinders to tow anything larger than that.

I hope these points will help you in making your decision about buying a trailer. Had I known all that I know now, I might have made some different decisions, hopefully you can learn from my experience. -Tim

Technorati Tags: buying a trailer, enclosed trailer, first time, first trailer

Wow, it’s already been quite a few weeks since my last post. My days have been going like this:

Get up, eat, do an hour or so of online activity, go through e-mail etc. Do practice warm-up before practice. Practice guitar for 1.25 hours, make dinner, eat, try to fit a workout in, get ready to go run sound, run sound from 8pm – 1 or 2am, come home, decompress for a bit, get to bed, repeat. That’s for the days I am running sound.

I have to get my practice in because I have an important gig coming up on Sat. Jan 14th in Cape Coral (at Rack ‘Em Billiards,) so I’ve been really strapped for time. It’s been very intense, but I know it will be worth it. I signed up for an online practice scheduler, and it has been kicking my ass, but it has really forced me to up my guitar playing, so I’m hoping that’s going to come through in my live show.

I intend to start making videos, but I need for things to cool down a bit so I can wrangle up the time. I could do it all low-key, but I like to add extra touches like lighting and having what I’m going to say rehearsed so I don’t waste time thinking of what to say.

That’s all I have to say at the moment. Thanks for reading and hope to see you at a show!

So now it’s Monday afternoon and we’ve had our successful party. Val then asks me if I’m leaving today. I replied that I probably should. But then he says, “Dude, it’s Halloween night in New Orleans! You have to go out tonight!” Apparently, this IS the night for locals to go out. Mardi Gras is insanely stupid, but Halloween is more “happening” because thousands of tourists haven’t flooded the streets and hotels. So it’s really festive, but not to the point of aggravation. So, I agreed. After all, there were still people to meet and venues to visit.

So, we go out to Pravda, which was a neat little place. They had absinthe which was rather expensive, and after much debate, decided I would indulge in one. I really like absinthe as a treat. I spent time trying to get pictures while I was out. I realized that I left the batteries to my nice flash, the one that makes all my pictures come out great, at home in Tally, and then the batteries died in my camera. I couldn’t find an outlet to plug my charger into either. So, I borrowed Val’s and later his girlfriend Marion’s camera to take pictures and had someone hold a flashlight for lighting. I couldn’t adjust the aperture or shutter speed to compensate, but I got some pretty decent results that way.

While we were there, we ran into some goths from Chicago, who were about to give me crap about “dressing goth for Halloween is NOT a costume!” until I told them that, “I dress like this all the time!” One of them was wearing this awesome deep-sea angler fish costume that she had made and I tried to get some good pictures of that. It was hard because it was entirely black and cast shadows on her face. I then got some of her without the helmet, and she really surprised me with how quickly she could get into a pose. I wished I had gotten her contact info so I could try and schedule a shoot if I ever got up to Chicago.

So, the evening went on and we had the security guy dressed as a clown patrolling back and forth throughout the evening. Finally, the liquor had its way with Val (hey, it was my turn the next night!) and we had to get him home. So, we get kicked out of the bar (why we were there past closing I don’t know) and now we have to get Val home, and he’s kind of heavy and can’t really help us by walking.

We were standing on the curb wondering what to do, when suddenly, and I am not making this up, this red Jeep pulls up and over to us. I remember someone saying that they were our ride, so the passenger side doors were opened and I looked inside. The driver turns to me and says, “Hi, I’m Tina.” None other than Josies’s roommate, Tina Root, singer of Switchblade Symphony! “Hi, I’m Tim” I replied. A guy riding in the back seat jumps out and helps me wrangle Val into the front passenger’s seat and everyone piled into the jeep. I made some casual conversation with the guy helping us in the back seat. We made it home safely thanks to “Team Switchblade” and Jack, the guy in the back helped us get Val upstairs and on a mattress.

The next morning, when everyone was among the living again, I checked my Facebook. It turns out that the guy in the backseat with me was none other than DeeJay Jack Phoenix! Of all the ways to meet an influential DJ in the goth industrial scene! Val made the observation, “I got thrown out of a bar by a clown after it was closed…” to which I added, “and then we got driven home by Switchblade Symphony and a famous DJ from Boston!” Only in New Orleans…

So, I walked over to the House of Blues for the Endless Nights party. I entered the bar
and no sooner than I’m in sight of the dance floor, what song begins playing?
“Monsters” by Crüxshadows. I could only shake my head at the irony that virtually no
one in the venue had any idea that helped create that song. But, I really do like
to dance to that song, so I jumped out on the dance floor. I’m sure everyone was wondering
who the crazy guy was, but it’s a great song to dance to with built in “breaks” during
the verses before it goes big in the chorus. I had a fun time at the night and returned
safely to Valek’s.

Sunday was the day Valek and I were to throw a house party at his place. He had been out of town for the weekend and came back on Sunday. He wasn’t sure he’d still be in the mood to do the party after the long train ride, but after I got him from the train station, he decided we
should do it.

The idea was, that since I couldn’t get an “official” gig at a venue in town
for the weekend, I’d just play at his house and we’d get a bunch of people over to be the
audience. Well, the party was a success, we had quite a few people over, good conversation,
and everyone seemed to have plenty to drink. Unfortunately, the cops got called (about 11:30
on Halloween weekend in New Orleans? Really??) and we had to tone it down. I got up
and played a few songs, but the mood was a little dampened after the police were called, so I
did 4 or 5 songs and then stopped. Overall though, the party was a great success!

At the party, I met a girl named Josie and she had crashed at Val’s place. The next morning,
her phone had died so she couldn’t call her roommate, Tina, to come pick her up. So, I dialed
the number for her so she could get a ride. As it turns out, her roommate is Tina Root! That
would be the vocalist from Switchblade Symphony!

I haven’t blogged recently, not because I’ve been lazy and not because there isn’t anything to blog about, but the action has been non-stop, so I can’t even stop to change my mind if I had to. Even after events unfold, I have to spend time following up on said events and there is often not time to sit down and write about what happened. However, I have a few moments now and will try to recap…

I left for New Orleans to attend the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club ball as the organizer, Sue Quiroz’s, guest. I was invited for the music I did to this video piece: ARVLFC video. In order to make trips worthwhile I often try and schedule gigs both coming and going from an appointed destination. I tried to get a gig in Pensacola, since it was about time for me to play there again, but had no luck.

Fortunately, Phillip Makselan in Pensacola pulled a rabbit out of a hat at the last minute and it was a huge help. Phillip is a very talented photgrapher. Here is his official photography page: Phillip Makeselan Photography. His significant other, Sarah Agnew, is a cosmetologist and did a bang up job rescuing my nails after I attempted to paint them black. After a few minutes, with only my $2 nail polish, my nails looked awesome! Here is her info if you are in the Pensacola area: Sarah Agnew Cosmetologist

So, I finally make it to New Orleans with just enough time to run into my host, Valek Reed’s, house, get a shower, turn around and race off to the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club Ball. The ball was great! Voltaire did a great job of MC’ing and played a set towards the end of the evening. I met up with writer, Dionne Charlet, who graciously showed me around the venue and introduced me to many people. A fun evening was had by all.

Saturday, there was a small buffet/cocktail party/auction at Chateau Bourbon on Iberville. I again met with Dionne, who introduced me to some of the guests and writers for the Undead Con. I had a really great time talking writing with everyone, how to get readers interested in your stories etc. Many people said that there were attending the Endless Nights event later that evening, so since I was already downtown and had paid for parking, I just stayed and chatted until it was time to walk to the House of Blues where the event was being held.

This is a list of dark wave bands, in no particular order, that have in one way or another shaped or influenced the sound of Sapphire Rebellion. Of most of them I am a “fan by periphery” meaning that I like them, or some of their songs, but have never been “fanatical” or had to buy their latest release. Some of them I’m only familiar with their “biggest hits” but that’s how music is I guess. The notable exception is Sisters of Mercy, and I own(ed) Floodland and Vision Thing and listened to them many times on “repeat.”

First in my list of influential dark wave bands…
The Cure:
I call myself a “heretic in the church of the Cure.” I’ve never been a huge Cure fan. It also seems that I like the songs that I’ve heard the band themselves hate, i.e. I love, “Love Cats” because it’s awesome to dance to, and I like “Friday I’m in Love” just because it’s fun. However, every single release that I have heard has had great production, and I noticed this when I started studying music production on my own. So you can bet that their songs started getting some serious “critical listening” from me when I started studying their mixes, arrangements, and production.

Second on my list of influential dark wave bands…
The Cruxshadows (Original line-up):
Note: [It was while in the original line up of Cruxshadows that I first heard the term "dark wave." I didn't really know what it meant nor that it actually applied to the type of music we were making. Of course, years later, now that I know what it means, I believe the term "dark wave" is quite applicable to what we were doing. ]

Now this might seem like I’m trying to pat myself on the back because I was in the original line up. But, frankly, there are a lot of good songs that could have been great if we’d known what we were doing. I feel that these songs should be vamped up to “live” in their fullest potential. Many of the lyrics are very well done and I think they deserve to be heard by a larger audience. There are also a few songs that were really good in my opinion, and never got played live or released. If I can convince Rogue to let me get those, I might be able to realease them as SR “remakes” as well.

Third up in my dark wave list…
Depeche Mode:
This band has had a big influence on me because of a couple of “non musical” reasons. One is that they have a unique sound. Even when they change things up a bit, they still always sound like Depeche Mode. Two, they have had an enviable career and probably the “ideal” career that any independent underground band could dream of having.

That is, with each successive release comes increasing success. Each step in their musical “career ladder” is ascended in order, and they have been able to appeal to the masses without alienating the core crowd that embraced them at their start. This is an amazing achievement!

Much more often we see bands that have to choose between appealing to their original crowd and staying limited, or choosing to grow by appealing to the masses. It would be an extremely tough choice and one I’m trying to avoid ever having to make. I’m purposefully trying to grow as Depeche Mode did in a very natural and organic way.

Fourth on my list of influential dark wave bands…
Nitzer Ebb:
I didn’t really like industrial at all when it was coming to prominence in the US. I guess that doesn’t count “Art of Noise,” which in retrospect, is technically industrial music, and was what I thought industrial music should be; musical. It was fellow Cruxshadow, Sean Flanagan, and the fact that the music was being spun at the club we attended, that got me to listen a little more, eventually finding things I could like about it. I found Nitzer Ebb probably the most musical and appealing of the genre at the time. Later, after hearing bands like Gravity Kills’ natural fusion of industrial rhythm with crunchy guitars, it was obvious that THAT was a sound I could get into!

Fifth on my dark wave band list…
Peter Murphy:
I like Peter Murphy because he is one of the few solo artist “in the genre,” even though I hear he does not consider himself as such. He is able to stand on his own simply by being a talented and dedicated artist in his own right, and not part of an “act.” (Although you will hear me refer to both bands and solo artists as “acts.”) His voice is both unique and riveting. When he starts singing about something you feel compelled to listen to what he is going to say next. I’m only really familiar with “Cuts You Up” and “Strange Kind of Love,” but the lyrics are meaningful and uplifting to listen to. People have suggested that I cover “Strange Kind of Love” and I may do it just for fun.

And last but certainly not the least on my list of influential dark wave bands…
The Sisters of Mercy:
This last one is kind of obvious with me. I loved Floodland and listened to it over and over. The music sounded to me what “gothic” rock should sound like; as serious as if I were in church, but a really awesome church. It had elements both profound and exciting: a singer whose delivery was both dramatic and dynamic, entire backing choirs, serious strings, and a killer driving beat to boot. Even if you weren’t exactly sure what the song was about because of Andrew Eldritch’s oblique lyrical style, you had a sense it was something important, an observation about society, a justifiable criticism, or perhaps a reflection on an historic event. The mystery combined with the dark, driving, nature of the music made for a compelling combination.

So this summarizes the main dark wave bands who influence the Sapphire Rebellion sound. There are many other influences to be sure, and many of them are not “dark wave” but I’ll probably post about that another time.

Well, I’ve been back from my excursion for about two weeks now. Trying to keep things moving. I’d love to recap the whole trip, but frankly, I should have been doing weekly entries but, to my chagrin, being on the road was way too hectic to allow for that. I would like to say special thanks to Beelzabitch of Necrodawn Productions. She really rescued the “Pocketful of X-Rays” release by completing the graphic work. The CD itself is going to be proofed by me in a couple of days and I’ll move to the manufacturing stage next. If you want to have first crack at this limited run of CD’s the best bet is to get on my mailing list; just enter your name and email into the box on the right hand side of any of the pages on this site and you will be informed when the CD is released. ‘Til next time!

Spent the week of 8/13 to 8/20 practicing for the gig in Connecticut. It was a pretty nice gig, made a good contact. Five days later, on the 25th, Played a gig at Mojo 13 in Wilmington, my second time playing there. There hasn’t been much action lately. We’ve been working on booking gigs for both the trip back down and for the Gulf Coast. So far, the Gulf Coast hasn’t offered me any dates.

Been playing as many open mic nights as possible here up in PA. Have met some great people and great performers! Met with Steve Rodgers and his band The Prisoners. If you like old school punk, punkabilly etc. these guys have the sound for you!
Steve also runs a site: Jam Room Manifesto
where he instructs members how to start a band which will stay together. If you are thinking of starting a band you might want to join his site and skip all the “mythical” steps of magically finding the right people, because I can tell you from experience, they ARE a myth!

I’ve also met a really neat rap act called, “Untold Chaptaz.” They are three brothers DIY’ing it to get their music heard. What I like about them is that they are professional, polite, have a positive message and good hooks. If you like rap at all, these guys are cool

I’m still busily trying to book anything in the PA are while we are here.