From: owner-the-landing-digest@smoe.org (the-landing-digest) To: the-landing-digest@smoe.org Subject: the-landing-digest V4 #19 Reply-To: the-landing@smoe.org Sender: owner-the-landing-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-the-landing-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk the-landing-digest Tuesday, March 27 2001 Volume 04 : Number 019 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Sad news [Jessica Brandt ] what you missed [Jessica Brandt ] Sad News [Jessica Brandt ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 14:04:32 -0500 From: Jessica Brandt Subject: Re: Sad news Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2001 15:25:19 -0500 From: Jessica Brandt Subject: Re: Sad news Yeah this is quite sad to hear, thanks for posting Mike. Good luck with YOUR album, however and please do let us all know when it comes to be. Although the "swing" thing worked for the Zippers, we have seen it really die down. There are still swing things going on, but not as ecclectic or specialized as Samsara. Remember, though, that all of the Zippers atarted with Rock 'n Roll roots -- Jim with Metal Flake Mother, Tom with What Peggy Wants, Ken now with the b-sides, Chris P. has done a lot of rock too. As a group, they were all able to have this common new discovery of hot music, and they inspired each other. They found some styles they liked and were able to make a good go of it. Separately, it sort of fell apart for them. No one was able to re-create that love of hot jazz that the band found together. I'm pretty sure there's no more communication between the split group anymore, and from what I've heard, Ken and Tom are both so into their own projects and families that they hardly have time to make music together anymore. You can't make money in music where there is no market for it. There is no market for what Tom was doing and there hardly is room for SNZ anymore. These guys have families and houses to take care of now. If they're not making money doing what was fun, yet they want to stay musicians, they have to change their styles to fit into the market or become something else. Luckilly for us, I think both Tom and Ken are still interested in being musicians. SNZ is still about making music. But as you can even see from the non-activity on this list and the scant number of users, the market for what WE like to hear from them has all but vanished. So let's remember to enjoy what we have -- three great SNZ albums with the members we loved, one klunker that still had it's own musical merits, Tom's Samsara which might be the fourth great SNZ album, the Bowl of Fire records we got into because of SNZ, and a scorcher of a blues album called "songs for rosetta." An odd phenomenon has begun to occur, something I never thought would come up in my lifetime, yet it's ineviatable in everyone's life. The bands we love are going away. Remember, Led Zepplin broke up. The Beatles called it quits. Except for the Rolling Stones, most bands have gone to pieces already. It's something weird to think about but it was bound to happen. Now that SNZ has pretty much called it quits (as we knew them and loved them) and BFF is dust, two of my favorite bands, bands I have spent so much time and money on, are only remembered by plastic disks in my stereo. Anyway, I'm glad we all have some answers at least about where Tom has been. Thanks again, Mike. Let's hear from some others about what they think. Jess ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 14:03:45 -0500 From: Jessica Brandt Subject: what you missed I got a ton of bounces on that email from Mike regarding Tom, and then the one where I replied. So I will post them here. Jess ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 14:04:03 -0500 From: Jessica Brandt Subject: Sad News Hey gang... well, I got restless waiting for Tom to update his website, so I emailed him to ask how things were and plus to update him on my own musical progress. This is what I sent, and what I got back: "...the last time we spoke, I mentioned something about sending demos or promos down to you to sample, but unfortunately the project ended up being put on hold. Now, inspiration is more yielding and time is more permitting. However, I am not satisfied with my horn performances on the scratch takes, and am looking for some music to improve my improv skills, and I was wondering if you remember the Dixie/New Orleans Street parade band that opened for you at the House of Blues on the last leg of that tour. I can't remember their name to save my life, and I thought if anyone would know, it'd be you. So to take a break from being so formal, congrats on the baby girl (I know it's late)! I can't imagine the excitement you've been feeling, my sister had a daughter in December. I love my niece more than anything, the feeling must be 100 times greater being a father. I can imagine the profound influence on your songwriting, though. Speaking of which, a lot of us are curious: how's the new record coming along? Quite a few of us have been speculating for a while now as to what's in store. I'm really looking forward to another release, and hoping to see you guys at least up at Kate's place again. My band has a booking there to open her season (June 7th) and again to end it (Sept. ?) On the subject of albums, I figure I'll give you a run down of what it's looking like, and hopefully have something out or solid to speak of soon: 1. If We Never Meet Again- I hadn't realized there was already an older tune with the same title.. I may shorten it to "If We Never." Probably the most straightforward swing tune I've written. 2. Where Are We?- Kind of a klezmer/waltz with a dark edge. Song about being lost and losing a friend. 3. (Is This Heaven or Is This Hell) I Can't Tell- Folk/rocker about being lost in a spiritual limbo zone after death, watching over loved ones left behind. 4. Too Much Fun- kicker kind of tune, more indie rock/Dave Matthews Band kind of feel about not living your life to the fullest and having regrets. 5. Secret- Bobby Darin/broadway style torch song.. about loving someone so close and yet so far, and not being able to tell anyone. 6. Lay me Down- Folk/country song... this one's hard to explain, but it details the struggles of pulling away from someone you love that loves you, but you aren't good for each other. 7. My Feet Are Cold- swing/rock narrative introspection... past faux pas and errata that have left a lasting effect on the person's life, leaving the character afraid of the future (hence, idea of having cold feet). 8. If You Only Knew, Epstein- this is a strange one, very personal. Details my experience of being sick with Epstein Barr, which was quite debilitating. The song starts off with the singer addressing an audience, then after the bridge, pleading with the disease itself to go away. 9. By The Moon- straightforward ballad... not totally sure how it will pan out yet, either swing or James Taylor/lite rock sound. 10. Boom- Folk number about an American soldier who falls in love with an Asian girl during Vietnam. The girl's father, hating the American people due to the war, tricks the boy into teaching him weaponry and defense, then uses it to end the kid's life. 11. Vietnam- dramatic instrumental. It uses the music to display the quickly depleting sense of morale during the war from when the soldiers go in, to a dramatic middle section, and ending.. A lot of background voices are used in this song, as well as clips from movies such as "Platoon" and "Apocalypse Now," giving it a similar effect to "Kops" off of Ben Folds' "Fear of Pop" album. There are huge crashing timpani solos in the middle to convey the sense of the Viet Kong ensuing, and the song ends with all music fading, and a fainting voice uttering, "I just want to go home." I was not around at the time it took place, however, the horrific amount of bloodshed that occurred from it has always bothered me. 12. You Won't Set The World on Fire- this song has not yet been touched musically, however it is complete lyrically. I want it to have a strong, in your face kind of feeling, since it is a big "fuck off" to the kind of people who act like they're better than everyone else, or who think the world should be handed to them on a silver platter. These are the first batch of songs, there are some I have left off this record, some may not make it, as I want to do a few covers, but this always leaves me more material for the next one :-) ...the interest you took in hearing about what I was creating musically really got me interested again, but I didn't want to have nothing to speak of. I don't know if you have ever had the same experience, but back in June, I had a lot of songs I didn't really like, so I decided that I would never record or keep anything I wouldn't listen to myself. I know you have not heard anything yet, but if you have any input on the ideas and themes you'd be willing to offer, I'd be entirely grateful, or just a general opinion. I've always appreciated the sense of music you've had, so I think I'm asking the right guy :-) So that's it for now, if you're interested further, there are a few others that have lyrics/themes, but are not being worked yet. If you have the time I'd love to know how things are going in the studio. I took a listen to Kenny's new project, it sounds awesome. Hope to see you on the road again soon. Stay well, Mike Myers" "Mike, Damned if I can remeber the name of that band! I know they're a Boston-based outfit and were shit-hot, but even with their names emblazoned on the backs of their shirts I can't recall. Your ideas sound good. Of course, it's the music that's most important. I can't comment on what I haven't heard. I can say that a little bit of disenchantment is totally part of the process. I don't think I've ever done a recording session where, at some point, I didn't think everything was crap. Using that as a tool to improve is what matters; letting it be an obstacle is a one-way street. Sadly, there will be no album. The Minor Drag is no more. Kenny is full-time in the b-sides, Chris P went back to Zips & I ran out of money to keep that monster on the road. After Evelyn was born my songwriting style changed. It's too tough to keep playing music considered "swing," given the cultural climate, and keeping a 7-piece band on the road is not an option. Meatime, I continue to write and demo new stuff (let's say "White Album" for a reference to style), have an acoustic gig booked with Robert Sledge, and am commencing work with the Remember Quartet for future gigs. The 4 songs started at Kensway were never completed, although a couple are close. If I ever revisit them I'll post them on the site. The Digital Club Network is also thinking about releasing the performance of The Minor Drag that they broadcast in July. I'm going to give it a listen and see if it holds up. I remember the performance being hot, but sometimes the recordings don't reflect that! Thanks for the update, and godspeed. Send me something when you knock it together. Tom" ------------------------------ End of the-landing-digest V4 #19 ********************************