Sep/100
It was a good run, but Mike is leaving the band…
Hey all, Mike here-
Joe and I started this band about 3 and a half years ago (maybe longer, no one is really sure when we started). We had originally worked together on a project I started, called The Brilliant Brigade. After that collaboration, we decided it was time to do a full band project, hence Action Verbs were born (though believe me, it took almost a year to come up with the name).
This band has been a blast. I’ve done so much more in music than I ever thought I would and all of that is due to the many bandmates we’ve had and especially because of the fans that have come out and supported us at our shows and enjoyed our music. I honestly can’t say thank you enough to all of you.
However, all good things must come to an end (though thankfully the band itself is not ending), as my time with the band will. The other priorities in my life have made committing to a band more difficult. So it’s with some sadness, but more pride in what has been accomplished and where the band is heading that I leave it. Luckily, it’s in good hands, and more great music will be made by Action Verbs…and I know I’ll be listening.
BUT…before I leave, I’ll be playing one last show, Thursday October 14th at Middle East Upstairs. I’m quite excited about this and I hope everyone can make it out for one last go of it.
Seriously – thanks to everyone ever involved in this band, it’s truly been awesome.
Oct/092
The Art of Lyric Writing for Professionals by a Professional (How to Keep It Tight and Succinct. Saying More by Saying Less in Titles etc.)
I like cheese. I do not sleep very well.
I’m professional songwriter who will hopefully be paid retroactively at some point soon. My mom guarantees this actually. That’s why I only use credit cards and shy away from cash. The cash will come. But later. So for now I’m building up a solid wall of debt that I will smash through with my “money bulldozer” (Already copyrighted. Hands off.) when somebody realizes that, lyrically, it’s just me, Chris Isaak circa “Wicked Games”, and Jesus standing on the songwriters verbal podium thingy.
Lately I’ve been working on some pretty deep stuff. Stuff that deals with the afterlife. Heavy things, like how it’s meaningless to be afraid of imagined apparitions even if you think you can hear them, see them, or if you feel like they’re a figment sleeping right next to you.
I try to tie up those themes with a rousing chorus espousing getting rid of those thoughts and apparitions once and for all. I attempt, through use of written word, to reinforce this idea that “They aren’t real and I’m not scared”. I also subtly bring in themes of friendship. More specifically, how your friends are only a phone call away when you need help.
I pasted a rough draft below with some notes. It’s not done but let me know what you think (not that you could do any better. That’d be like telling Jesus how to get nailed to a cross or Chris Isaak how to play games…wickedly and whatnot. That’s just dumb.). Anywho, here is a rare glimpse into a work in progress. Everything written in italics are notes to help you along:
If there’s something strange
In your neighborhood
Who you gonna call (friendship theme!)
(Ghostbusters)<———(your friends!)
If there’s something weird (apparitions! see above)
And it don’t look good (scary figment stuff!!!)
Who you gonna call (Just a phone call away. see above)
(Ghostbusters)<———-(your friends!)
I ain’t afraid of no ghost (afterlife stuff)
I ain’t afraid of no ghost (repeat. see above)
If you’re seeing things
Running through your head (bad thoughts)
Who can you call?
(Ghostbusters) (friends!)
An invisible man (man in bed metaphor. see above)
Sleeping in your bed
Oh, who you gonna call?
(Ghostbusters) (friends!)
I ain’t afraid of no ghost (friendship theme!)
I ain’t afraid of no ghost (repeat theme. see above)
All I have so far. You’re welcome.
Oct/090
Two elephants walk into a room…
…I can’t remember how that joke goes.
I’m giving into Nate’s ridiculous request for me to explain myself to the people in a topical and humorous way. I am neither of those things. What I am is self-deprecating…that I can do really well, much to the chagrin of my fellow bandmates. I’m the old man in the band. I have a full-time job. I like my hamburgers plain and well done. I enjoy vanilla ice cream. I live for fantasy baseball. Please quiet down with those taunts of “boring”.
I’ve been playing guitar in the band since the beginning (no one quite remembers when that was), when Joe and I met and decided to put some craigslist ads out there, and voila, a band ensued. It’s been a swell time.
That’s it…I’m giving up now. Keep an ear out for the official release of the album (you can listen to it on the Meeting People on the Internet page). Time to pass the baton, who’s next?
Sep/090
Who’s got the Verb?
In the spirit of our new EP, we’d like to take an opportunity to have you meet some people on the internet; namely, your favorite action verbers. Let’s kick things off with, well me. My name is Nate and I’ve been playing drums with AV for damn near a year now. I’m a cancer, I like long walks on the beach, and I’ve been know to draw giant phallic images on arms/faces/backs of my friends who have been foolish enough to fall asleep in my presence. I’m pretty sure I give the best rock face in all the great city of Boston. I have a healthy fear of internet social networks and balloons. Ok, that was fairly painful but I take solace in the fact that the rest of band will now have to follow suit. Suckers. Check back for more posts and look out for our EP release show coming to a venue near you.