Quick note: the remix EP of “Beyond The Moon” is now available on Last.FM as well.

Though I have a software metronome and tuner in my notebook of course, I prefer playing my bass (and, guitar, if I really would regularily) through a real amp, preferably with the computer not even turned on. It’s an odd thing (or maybe a rock’n'roll thing *g*) but plugging this instrument into the laptop for practising and jamming just doesn’t feel right to me - it’s got to be just me, the amp, the instrument, and maybe a pick (well, and a cable). The only thing I really used the computer is for tuning and when I feel unsure about timing.

Last Friday during my regular visit at my favourite music stuff dealer I found the Korg TM 40 for a mere thirty euros, it’s a combined tuner and metronome, very accurate (less than +/- 1 cent), and it can even do triplets and stuff. Extremly useful, lot’s of well thought out little features - and with the label “recommend by FeldFunker” now if Korg would care.

Oh, and no, I’m not getting sponsored by Korg for writing this (though I’d love to), I just wanted praise this little helper because I’m a noble guy.

Stumbled over Jake Mandell’s various online ear tests today - interesting and fun. I scored 80.6% at the tonedeaf test, 92% at the rhythm test, and 0.75Hz at the pitch test. Seems ok considering I wasn’t really concentrating as I did the test in the office with cheap headphones.

Id’ like to present you an older release in my series of netaudio recommendations this time, Marko Fürstenberg’s album “Gesamtlaufzeit” on Thinner.

The album appeared 2003, and is still an unrivaled blueprint dub techno masterpiece. Perfect after-hour music, mostly laid-back, sometimes a little “poppy”. The album has a very cohesive feel to it, though sometimes different tracks sound a little too similar, as Marko uses some sound over and over again. One track I’d like to highlight is the microhouse pearl “Gegenstörung”, which fit’s the album context very well but has a slightly disturbing touch that makes it stand out. Another track that stands out is “Mimerlaven” that starts with a George W. Bush sample that I used in a track as well some years ago - I don’t like the bass drum on that track, though, doesn’t really fit in for my ears.

Frankly, I have yet to inform myself about what Marko did after 2003, but I’m sure there’s other interesting releases by him somewhere. Make sure you check his MySpace for live dates and stuff - oh, and he’s on Last.FM too.

Here’s my short report from Hamburg’s Vintage Guitar Show 2007 which I visited this weekend. Well… uhm… there was guitars, old ones. But frankly, it was not what I expected. There were only very few really impressive exhibits, mostly from the legendary Star Club and The Beatles. I expected to see Zappa’s first guitar or something, or to have a chance to see luthiers doing what they do, but it was more or less a flea market with very expensive goods, plus some guys selling accessories (at good prices, granted).

Maybe I’m not enthusiastic enough but watching guitar nerds try out 5000 euro guitars (I didn’t dare to touch anything I can’t afford *g*) just wasn’t satisfying for that 12 bucks entry fee. I bought myself a set of Fender strings, a handful of picks, and a high end instrument cable (which really makes a difference, to my surprise) for twenty, which very well compensated me for the entry, but unless I win a lottery or something and can buy one of the real things I doubt I’ll go there again next year.

One fun thing though was the museum guards (the show was at the museum for Hamburg’s history) shivering with all the rocker type of guys coming in - stereotypes can be so amusing…

I pissed myself laughing when I discovered this site yesterday: Chuck Norris Facts. Even made me start a new song titled “I wanna be Chuck Norris” which might be on my next EP. *g*

Look out - Chuck Norris IS RIGHT BEHIND YOU!

My musical roots, though I’m making mostly electronic music now, are actually gothic, (skate) punk and rock music in general. I was into Deathrock / Batcave and all that stuff for a long time, I was publishing a fanzine (named “Goth’s not dead!”) on that music for some years , I was DJing that stuff… and though I’m not interested in the scene anymore I still love the music.

With that background, I find it sad that most netlabels (and netaudio in general) is electro - nkay, electronic music is a fine thing, and has the advantage that a single guy with a notebook can achieve great things, but sometimes I just miss the… rockin and a-rolling Actually, that’s why I also play bass and guitar, but that’s a different story.

So today I stumbled upon this horror punk band “Naughty Zombies” from spain and guess what? They got two full length demos available on their website, plus some videos! Great and definitly rocking female fronted b-movie trash death what-not rock, somewhere between The Skeletal Family, Alien Sex Fiend and The Cramps. Some songs from demo two even have a touch of electro clash. Frankly, I’m sure the singer would sound less impressive without delay/reverb, but who cares? It’s rock’n'roll - and I like it.

So go there and get the demos!

In case you’re into relaxed slow dub and ambient sounds, you might want to check out latest mixtape from the german duo Das Kraftfuttermischwerk. They compiled thirteen tracks from various Thinner artists into a 78-minute set that could be seen as an entering guide to the label’s world of slow dubs.

All tracks are full of atmosphere and there really isn’t a single track that I’d like to highlight, all are well made, the selection is just perfect. Summing it up, this mix is a wonderful companion for travelling to other planets and dimensions - or perfect background music when reading a good book in the bathtub.

This week’s classic bassline is a definite standard, the song must have been covered by hundreds of artists. As far as I know, it was originally performed by Little Willie John and became a hit when interpreted by Peggy Lee 1958. It was also played by Elvis Presley (that’s perhaps the most well known version), and The Cramps. Other people that covered it, to name a few, include Madonna and Ella Fitzgerald, and even Beyoncé.

Anyway, here’s the tab for the main riff - mind that the timing is pretty off:

G|------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-------------------5----------------------------------------|
A|--3----6----3----6---------3----6----3----6-----------------|
E|--------------------------------------------6---------------|

Also check this video of the Muppet’s performing fever, with Rita Moreno and Animal on drums of course - screamingly funny!

Netlabel Broque presents us a pretty decent and abstract jazz/techno/pop/rock fusion EP with Nils Hoffmann’s “Kurz Und Klein”. Except for track one, which friankly sounds dull and boring to me, this is a really outstanding EP covering a wide range of musical styles and influences.

The tracks are characterized by abstract Lo-Fi sample work (often jazz or bebop), abstract beats, and sometimes remind me of Akufen, although they’re not really that “disco”. Nils also proves he has a fine sense of humor with some of the samples - “a man that sticks to his principles”.

Summing it up, this release is highly recommended to open minded people that don’t mind a good dose of humor and trash. I love it!