Sunday, 6 March 2011
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Fingerprints
Aloha Hotshots!
Welcome to my week off blog, I'm at the halfway point and I tell you what, it's been great, lot's of stuff to get through, but I'm glad Dan booked it off for me, it's been nice to take some time off just to relax, kick my feet up and get back to basics, it's been real nice, I'm really chilled out, picture me with sunglasses, a Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals, drinking from a coconut...
So how are you all? are you there? I'm worried guys, I really am, I'm looking at the stats and I'm seeing my views tumble, c'mon now, I'm not that bad, is it because I haven't showered for a while? Because I have, honestly, a few hours ago!
I hope you're all doing well though, a couple of philosophical blogs down and I think I'm back to normal, lot's of stuff to catch up on, so let's bullet point what's going on...
- NGD - Boss GT-10
- Framed Gig - March 19th, Stein Bar, Walsall
- Dirty Harry Movies
- Bulletstorm & Red Dead Redemption (I reached level 50!)
- My views on my recent Scratch Radio appearances
- Rob's new Blag!
That's alot right? You can't accuse me of not having any content, so let's get down to business!
NGD
BOSS GT10
why the heck did you get one of these treading behemoths?
Because, the other night, I was trying to control my Pedalboard and fell over, it was then I decided I needed something more concise...
Ok, I get that, but why not something simple, like a Line 6 or Korg?
I've used Boss pedals for a while, and I know what the GT-10 is capable of, and I have alot of sounds on my pedalboard that I need to transfer over, and this has everything I need
Is it easy to use?
No, no it isn't, it's like cracking a safe using oven gloves, but when you crack it, it's a fantastic tool!
How does it sound?
It takes alot of tweaking, and I run it into my Vox's FX Loop, to bypass the AC30's preamp and use what the GT10 has to offer, and the sounds I'm getting are really groovy, man!
Can you add sounds to it via USB?
Yes, do you have a PhD in Guitar Gear?
Next....
Saturday, March 19th @The Stein Bar in Walsall
This will be my first gig of 2011, my first proper gig in a long time, with Framed, I cannot wait, these guys are the band I've been looking for and I personally cannot wait, so please, come down, show your support! check the band out here
It's a solid type of rock that will get your feet tapping, I know you'll love it, so come on down!
Next...
Earlier this week, I brought the 5 Blu-Ray set of the Dirty Harry movies, none of which I've ever seen, shocking I know, I've only really heard the soundtrack to the 2nd movie "Magnum Force" (iTunes, £5, Steal)
So far I've watched Dirty Harry and Magnum Force, both in pretty good HD, considering the age of the films, they look stunning, and the audio is superb, I was totally taken in by how good these films are, fantastic, is the only word I can think of!
Next...
Bulletstorm & Red Dead Redemption
So, this week a wonderful game called "Bulletstorm" has been taking up my time, I cannot describle how brilliant a game Epic Studios have made here, it's an FPS game, but not as you know it, the idea is to be creative with how you kill, and I like that...is that bad?
Also, I finally reached Level 50 on Red Dead Redemption's Multiplayer mode, I'm now traversing the Wild West, on a Bull, wielding a Buffalo Rifle.
God I feel like a Badass on that game now!
Next...
As you know, I've made a couple of guest appearances on BCU's 'Scratch Radio' with my friends Kay & Maccie, now it was fun, but the second appearance confirmed that it really wasn't for me, as good as the music was, I took alot of flak for voicing my opinion on Dave Grohl, even after the show I recieved messages from strangers, then there was the whole distance thing, a guy who did my nut in, no offense to Kay, Maccie or Rich who do a Fantastic job at Scratch Radio, it's just not for me, however I had a laugh while I was there, so thanks for having me!
Next...
Remember my ol' pal Rob over at "The Indifference Gamer" page? well, he's departed from the gaming blog world, and he's entering my kind of blogging thing that I do, just general life blogging, he's a good writer, I'm sure he'll raise a smile when he writes and he's got a right snazzy layout, I tell you that, it's 1000% less yellow, check it out yo...
So that wraps it all up for now, but I'm about to bring back a feature I haven't used since the MySpace days, only a few of you dedicated guys will remember
Luke's Word
I know alot of people, I call very few of them friends, but all of these people aren't a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of people on this planet, but who in this world still dreams? is there still anyone who hasn't abandoned their hobbies or desires, only to replace them with the routine and mundane? one can only hope there are still dreamers in this world, because I don't want to live in a world with only a hand full of dreamers in a world where people cannot grasp that it is impossible to achieve your aim without some form of suffering.
John Lennon said "Some say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"
Gene Wilder said "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream"
You know what I say? Just keep on, keeping on, keep dreaming, keep your own hopes and your own spirit alive and by golly, try and get something done!
Now that's all you're getting, shine on you crazy diamonds!
Your Pal
Luke Clarke
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
The little things...
I'd just been dropped off on Brownhills high street, I had underestimated how heavy tonight's rain actually was, in layman's terms, I was half a mile away from home, the rain was getting heavier and I was sad, really sad.
So, I popped in my headphones and took a steady walk back, the volume on low, the rain providing a nice omnipresent hum in the background as I walked onwards, hands in pockets getting wetter by the second, as forementioned, I was sad and to an extent I still am, for many reasons that I fully understand, but never want to revisit, as I walked past closed shops and flickering streetlamps, things kept bugging me and, there's nowhere else I could feel more comfortable putting this, I stopped to sit on the church wall underneath the dry cover of some trees, It's a constant thing with me, friends may have noticed that they can talk to me, and I'll be somewhere else, whereas I'll normally just shake it off and hastily apologize, I'm lost, in a web of memories and unanswered questions, worries and fears, I'll just shake it off, tell a bad joke, yeah, laugh it up Luke, keep hiding...
But how long can I keep hiding? Not much longer I reckon, the thing is folks, I've had a lot of crap to deal with the last few years, I mean sure, it could be a lot worse, you don't have to tell me twice, but as I sat under the cover the churches trees, watching the rain fall, things came back to me, people, memories, things I'd rather forget, things I loved, a girl I loved, just stuff, you know the kind of thing.
Motown music told me that everything will be OK in the end, me being the realist I am, I know that the way things have happened, hasn't done me any good, I looked at my situation, I looked where I'm at, things are getting better, but that doesn't stop me facing the fact that I wish I couldn't remember, I looked at the time, it was getting on, but I really didn't care, I had a door key, I sat on the wall for a while, contemplating more, of what may be to come, and how I could learn from my previous mistakes to make the future much better for myself, how my maverick way of life isn't really helping me at all.
I know I really shouldn't dwell on the past, hell, I'm only 20, but yet I have no bearing of what's to happen, maybe with what's going down with Framed will take me somewhere, but other that, there's nothing for me at the moment.
But I digress, as I sat and the rain fell, I looked out and just thought to myself about what is going for me, about the positives, new band, a week off work, I'm gradually improving as a musician, but again, I still feel rather stateless...
You know what's really weird though? instead of trying to please 9 out of 10 people, instead of helping people out when they need me, being a bit more of an asshole has pointed things in my direction, I've found that it really is true, being nice to everyone gets you nowhere, because for too long I tried to be nice to everyone I knew, and I thought that one day It'd come round and everything'd be swell, and it just went down the shitter, but 2011 has brought alot of good times for me so far, just little things, that turned into bigger things.
With those thoughts, I put my hat back on, and ventured back out into the rain, to the short walk home, as soon as I got home, my feet were up, I poured myself a whiskey and coke and went to bed.
One things for sure, I sat there and looked into that JD & Coke, I cracked a smile, I still loved the little things...
So, I popped in my headphones and took a steady walk back, the volume on low, the rain providing a nice omnipresent hum in the background as I walked onwards, hands in pockets getting wetter by the second, as forementioned, I was sad and to an extent I still am, for many reasons that I fully understand, but never want to revisit, as I walked past closed shops and flickering streetlamps, things kept bugging me and, there's nowhere else I could feel more comfortable putting this, I stopped to sit on the church wall underneath the dry cover of some trees, It's a constant thing with me, friends may have noticed that they can talk to me, and I'll be somewhere else, whereas I'll normally just shake it off and hastily apologize, I'm lost, in a web of memories and unanswered questions, worries and fears, I'll just shake it off, tell a bad joke, yeah, laugh it up Luke, keep hiding...
But how long can I keep hiding? Not much longer I reckon, the thing is folks, I've had a lot of crap to deal with the last few years, I mean sure, it could be a lot worse, you don't have to tell me twice, but as I sat under the cover the churches trees, watching the rain fall, things came back to me, people, memories, things I'd rather forget, things I loved, a girl I loved, just stuff, you know the kind of thing.
Motown music told me that everything will be OK in the end, me being the realist I am, I know that the way things have happened, hasn't done me any good, I looked at my situation, I looked where I'm at, things are getting better, but that doesn't stop me facing the fact that I wish I couldn't remember, I looked at the time, it was getting on, but I really didn't care, I had a door key, I sat on the wall for a while, contemplating more, of what may be to come, and how I could learn from my previous mistakes to make the future much better for myself, how my maverick way of life isn't really helping me at all.
I know I really shouldn't dwell on the past, hell, I'm only 20, but yet I have no bearing of what's to happen, maybe with what's going down with Framed will take me somewhere, but other that, there's nothing for me at the moment.
But I digress, as I sat and the rain fell, I looked out and just thought to myself about what is going for me, about the positives, new band, a week off work, I'm gradually improving as a musician, but again, I still feel rather stateless...
You know what's really weird though? instead of trying to please 9 out of 10 people, instead of helping people out when they need me, being a bit more of an asshole has pointed things in my direction, I've found that it really is true, being nice to everyone gets you nowhere, because for too long I tried to be nice to everyone I knew, and I thought that one day It'd come round and everything'd be swell, and it just went down the shitter, but 2011 has brought alot of good times for me so far, just little things, that turned into bigger things.
With those thoughts, I put my hat back on, and ventured back out into the rain, to the short walk home, as soon as I got home, my feet were up, I poured myself a whiskey and coke and went to bed.
One things for sure, I sat there and looked into that JD & Coke, I cracked a smile, I still loved the little things...
Monday, 21 February 2011
Good News!
Now hows about that then?
Welcome, my friends, to another blog!
I hope you're all doing well, taking care of yourselves and whatnot, now last blog, I mentioned some "big news" to be announced for today (Monday, Monday, Monday!) and so here I am, blogging with a vengeance, now that guy up there, he's either very happy or he's waving at an approaching helicopter, coming to rescue him for the looming yellow abyss, i'll tell you, he's happy, happy for me.
Tonight, I went to jam with a band I've mentioned here on the LCB before by the name of Framed, who were very good live at the Wharf Bar, I enjoyed watching them, and afterwards I bumped into their drummer, and a friend of mine, Kim, in the car park of a nearby Morrisons, from there I was asked if I wanted to go along, and tonight was the night!
Now, honestly speaking here, I didn't know what to expect, but once I got there and set up, I was right in my element, I had my drive where I wanted it for my rhythm playing, I learned their songs and we played them through and I thoroughly enjoyed it and the warm welcome I received, even though we were all pretty much freezing our arses off in there, it was superb, I enjoyed it, the interaction between everybody was great, I got on well with everyone, and most importantly, the music sounded good, next practice should be next week, now hows about that then?
Also, I'm working more hours at work, and you know what that means?...
You bet your sweet bippy it means more wonga and that will add towards the amp fund, speaking of amps...
I went to PMT in Birmingham with my mate Lord Rob of Cottington today, and the selection that they had was HUGE, I've never seen so many amps, though a couple of tasty Marshall amps in my price range caught my eye, all I know is that Epiphone amps have joined the poo pile, do you have any recommendations for a multi-channel hi-gain half stack? let me know!
Can you tell I'm writing with more excitement? I've got a new playlist on that I've made, I'm streamwriting more or less!
That's it for now!
WONGA!
Your Pal
Luke Clarke
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Just pour me a drink and I'll tell you my lies...
Oh hello you lot!
Welcome back, to another edition of my blog, after a very eventful week, for all the wrong reasons too, this is the first real chance I've had to sit down and write, because, prepare yourself, I've been working!
Seriously, I've been actually doing some substantial (by my standards atleast) hours this week, a steady 28, thanks to our new manager, so I'll pick up some decent wonga from this week, all of which will go towards the new amp I need to get, as nice as the AC30 is, it's no longer suited to what I'm churning out, my style is based alot more around a tone I can't seem to achieve with this amp, so I need to look at something burly, half stack is what I'm thinking, Bugera, Marshall, who knows... If only I had Boogie Money
But I digress, how are you doodling? good to hear, as I say, there's a lot to fill you in on, so I'm taking my time with this blag, so it's taking me a bit longer than usual, I'm having some work done on the Frampton Les Paul, which is in disrepair, instantly it seems, an obvious copy, it's not costing much thankfully, but obviously, I'm fuming, all of you readers will know how much it meant to win that guitar, so see what was going wrong with it, my heart sank, pictures of a revitalized PFLP will be up soon, thanks to a couple of mates who are working on it for me, sorting wiring, the nut, action, truss rod, pickup mounts, strap buttons, new dials, it's essentially a re-work of the whole guitar, luckily I had some of the parts spare, and these guys owed me a favour...
So, as you know I like to branch out, try new things, and I've stepped right into the unknown territory of Guitar Craft Tuning, don't try and look it up, you'll probably cry, I tuned the SG right up to this odd tuning, to the point where if the strings get any tighter, the guitar will explode, it takes everything you think you ever knew about the guitar, and throws it right out of the window. Chord shapes, scales, licks, everything goes kaput and because there are no online resources other than one man (you can't tell I don't want to tell you much can you?) you have to feel your way around and build your own chords from scratch, it's like learning a new instrument, and when you find the right notes, it feels good, I'm writing my first song in it as we speak, it's difficult, but I feel a newer connection with the guitar itself, it's a new perspective on a sort of rut I was in, I can work myself out of this rut, by making my own chords up, that are as easy to play as conventional chords.
Now that the Superbowl has been and gone, I went and picked up Madden 11 on the Xbox, I have it, my mate's Rob & Maccie have it, and I've wanted to get into it a bit more, and I'm really enjoying it, I won 2 games against Maccie and the challenges on there remind me of how challenging games should be, and between me and you, the soundtrack is badass! Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC...Phwoar, £22 brand new? A steal if you ask me...Now if only I could get a legit Frank Zombo jersey...
What else is there...Oh yes! Today, is my friend Tommy's birthday, and yesterday after work, I went to see the new Coen Brothers remake of one of my all time classic movies "True Grit", I have to say after watching the original the other night, I was used to Rooster Cogburn being this character of definition, iconic, John Wayne summed him up perfectly for me, and don't get me wrong, as good as Jeff Bridges was in the remake, I didn't want to see Rooster as a washed up old fart, staggering around for 2 hours, but all in all it was a good but very somber remake of a classic film I love, it's great, but I'm not sold on it. Afterwards, Me, Maccie, Tommy & Kay went to the pub, laughs were had, food was eaten and Kay farted!
That's it for now, I may or may not have some big news to announce Monday, so keep your eyes out!
Thanks for reading you guys, 2,300+ now!
You keep me writing for you, it's a pleasure doing so
Take care
Your Pal
Luke Clarke
Welcome back, to another edition of my blog, after a very eventful week, for all the wrong reasons too, this is the first real chance I've had to sit down and write, because, prepare yourself, I've been working!
Seriously, I've been actually doing some substantial (by my standards atleast) hours this week, a steady 28, thanks to our new manager, so I'll pick up some decent wonga from this week, all of which will go towards the new amp I need to get, as nice as the AC30 is, it's no longer suited to what I'm churning out, my style is based alot more around a tone I can't seem to achieve with this amp, so I need to look at something burly, half stack is what I'm thinking, Bugera, Marshall, who knows... If only I had Boogie Money
But I digress, how are you doodling? good to hear, as I say, there's a lot to fill you in on, so I'm taking my time with this blag, so it's taking me a bit longer than usual, I'm having some work done on the Frampton Les Paul, which is in disrepair, instantly it seems, an obvious copy, it's not costing much thankfully, but obviously, I'm fuming, all of you readers will know how much it meant to win that guitar, so see what was going wrong with it, my heart sank, pictures of a revitalized PFLP will be up soon, thanks to a couple of mates who are working on it for me, sorting wiring, the nut, action, truss rod, pickup mounts, strap buttons, new dials, it's essentially a re-work of the whole guitar, luckily I had some of the parts spare, and these guys owed me a favour...
So, as you know I like to branch out, try new things, and I've stepped right into the unknown territory of Guitar Craft Tuning, don't try and look it up, you'll probably cry, I tuned the SG right up to this odd tuning, to the point where if the strings get any tighter, the guitar will explode, it takes everything you think you ever knew about the guitar, and throws it right out of the window. Chord shapes, scales, licks, everything goes kaput and because there are no online resources other than one man (you can't tell I don't want to tell you much can you?) you have to feel your way around and build your own chords from scratch, it's like learning a new instrument, and when you find the right notes, it feels good, I'm writing my first song in it as we speak, it's difficult, but I feel a newer connection with the guitar itself, it's a new perspective on a sort of rut I was in, I can work myself out of this rut, by making my own chords up, that are as easy to play as conventional chords.
Now that the Superbowl has been and gone, I went and picked up Madden 11 on the Xbox, I have it, my mate's Rob & Maccie have it, and I've wanted to get into it a bit more, and I'm really enjoying it, I won 2 games against Maccie and the challenges on there remind me of how challenging games should be, and between me and you, the soundtrack is badass! Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC...Phwoar, £22 brand new? A steal if you ask me...Now if only I could get a legit Frank Zombo jersey...
What else is there...Oh yes! Today, is my friend Tommy's birthday, and yesterday after work, I went to see the new Coen Brothers remake of one of my all time classic movies "True Grit", I have to say after watching the original the other night, I was used to Rooster Cogburn being this character of definition, iconic, John Wayne summed him up perfectly for me, and don't get me wrong, as good as Jeff Bridges was in the remake, I didn't want to see Rooster as a washed up old fart, staggering around for 2 hours, but all in all it was a good but very somber remake of a classic film I love, it's great, but I'm not sold on it. Afterwards, Me, Maccie, Tommy & Kay went to the pub, laughs were had, food was eaten and Kay farted!
That's it for now, I may or may not have some big news to announce Monday, so keep your eyes out!
Thanks for reading you guys, 2,300+ now!
You keep me writing for you, it's a pleasure doing so
Take care
Your Pal
Luke Clarke
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Monday, 7 February 2011
Whole lotta nothin'
Hello stranger!
A return to a usual blog here, hope you're doing well, after the 2,000 milestone, this thing still seems to be snowballing, so I thought I'd post something while I had literally nothing to do, this whole "musical break" thing isn't what it's cracked up to be, I think half of my problem is that I'm still a bit frazzled from last night's awesome Superbowl!
Yes indeedy readers, I'm not so much a supporter of a specific team, nor an American, however, I thoroughly watching NFL games, and after last years Colts/Saints Superbowl, hopes were high for 45, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Green Bay Packers, and 2 very good friends of mine came over to my place to watch it, we got a pizza, I made my own nachos, we had pretzels, coke and watched what turned out to be a damn close game until around 4am, it was fantastic, I honestly couldn't have thought of a better way to spend Superbowl sunday, laughs were had, we were stuffed with stupid amounts of junk food, though just for the record, I do not condone the half time show, it might have been the worst thing I've ever witnessed on television...
But thanks Rich & Rob, I had a great laugh, here's hoping it goes ahead next year...
So yeah, how're things? not so bad right now I suppose, this musical break is troubling me though, I feel somewhat lost, and when I try to learn something I can't keep up and lose interest, I can't even think of writing, because I have no reason to write, so I'm in a difficult spot, what do I do now? I don't know, as long as I do not turn into a recluse who rambles philosophically in the third person all the time, then I suppose that's good, I need to re-discover the fun I was having with music a few years ago, how I'll do that, I don't know, a few offers have rolled in, I'm going to a couple of auditions, I'll see if I feel the vibe's going on, if so, who knows what might happen, maybe something might kick off, maybe not, only time will tell I suppose!
So, what do you make of that new side bar on the left there? snazzy eh, I made it myself!
I have ventured onto the web phenomenon that is Twitter, and it's so much fun to see the rich and famous (Sir Alan Sugar and Piers Morgan, I'm looking at you!) taking pot shots at each other, along with hearing breaking news, before the news people get a hold of it, it's pretty cool and as the sidebar says @LukeClarkeBlog, the most inventive hashtags get featured in the blog!
I've got 13 followers, I feel well special!
So, last night I was saddened to hear of the passing of guitar legend Gary Moore, known mainly for his work with Thin Lizzy, I personally preferred his solo work and collaborations with blues guitarists, he was an extremely talented individual, who sadly passed away yesterday, on holiday in Spain, age 58, no age at all is it really...I'd never been a huge fan to be honest with you guys, however, I was always a fan of the thick tone he managed to achieve and how emotive he managed to play, so there really isn't much I can say, except thank you Gary.
I bet the line-up at the Great Gig In The Sky is awesome these days...
For now, that's me done, I'll blog again soon!
Your Pal
Luke Clarke
A return to a usual blog here, hope you're doing well, after the 2,000 milestone, this thing still seems to be snowballing, so I thought I'd post something while I had literally nothing to do, this whole "musical break" thing isn't what it's cracked up to be, I think half of my problem is that I'm still a bit frazzled from last night's awesome Superbowl!
Yes indeedy readers, I'm not so much a supporter of a specific team, nor an American, however, I thoroughly watching NFL games, and after last years Colts/Saints Superbowl, hopes were high for 45, it was the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Green Bay Packers, and 2 very good friends of mine came over to my place to watch it, we got a pizza, I made my own nachos, we had pretzels, coke and watched what turned out to be a damn close game until around 4am, it was fantastic, I honestly couldn't have thought of a better way to spend Superbowl sunday, laughs were had, we were stuffed with stupid amounts of junk food, though just for the record, I do not condone the half time show, it might have been the worst thing I've ever witnessed on television...
But thanks Rich & Rob, I had a great laugh, here's hoping it goes ahead next year...
So yeah, how're things? not so bad right now I suppose, this musical break is troubling me though, I feel somewhat lost, and when I try to learn something I can't keep up and lose interest, I can't even think of writing, because I have no reason to write, so I'm in a difficult spot, what do I do now? I don't know, as long as I do not turn into a recluse who rambles philosophically in the third person all the time, then I suppose that's good, I need to re-discover the fun I was having with music a few years ago, how I'll do that, I don't know, a few offers have rolled in, I'm going to a couple of auditions, I'll see if I feel the vibe's going on, if so, who knows what might happen, maybe something might kick off, maybe not, only time will tell I suppose!
So, what do you make of that new side bar on the left there? snazzy eh, I made it myself!
I have ventured onto the web phenomenon that is Twitter, and it's so much fun to see the rich and famous (Sir Alan Sugar and Piers Morgan, I'm looking at you!) taking pot shots at each other, along with hearing breaking news, before the news people get a hold of it, it's pretty cool and as the sidebar says @LukeClarkeBlog, the most inventive hashtags get featured in the blog!
I've got 13 followers, I feel well special!
So, last night I was saddened to hear of the passing of guitar legend Gary Moore, known mainly for his work with Thin Lizzy, I personally preferred his solo work and collaborations with blues guitarists, he was an extremely talented individual, who sadly passed away yesterday, on holiday in Spain, age 58, no age at all is it really...I'd never been a huge fan to be honest with you guys, however, I was always a fan of the thick tone he managed to achieve and how emotive he managed to play, so there really isn't much I can say, except thank you Gary.
I bet the line-up at the Great Gig In The Sky is awesome these days...
For now, that's me done, I'll blog again soon!
Your Pal
Luke Clarke
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