Mark S entered the scene in the fall of 1988, the beginning of Jason's senior year in high school. He was Jason's Spanish teacher. And the musical connection came on Friday, October 28, when Mark walked over to his desk, pulled out an acoustic guitar, and started playing "Groovy Kind of Love". Jason had never seen a teacher do that before!
It was known that Jason and Harry played around with music, especially in their bands Pheonix and The Two-Tones. So when Christmas arrived it was decided that Mark, Harry, and Jason would play a short set of five songs during one of the class periods. On Wednesday, December 21, they performed in front of what seemed like half the school, all crammed into one classroom.
Early in 1989 Harry and Jason teamed with Mark again for a new musical endeavor, the Traveling Deengelburys. This was a 50's and 60's band they created to play at a fund-raiser dance on March 31, 1989. Mark was one of the lead singers and also played bass guitar. He brought the selection of music and taught the other six band members how to play the songs. After the successful show, they suggested a ten-year reunion to play once again in 1999. But the reunion never happened.
But now contact has been re-established with Mark and there will be a Traveling Deengelbury reunion of sorts this spring, consisting of four of the band members. No music is planned, just a reliving of past memories.
Showing posts with label Musician Profile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Musician Profile. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Musician Profile #9: Jeremy S
Jeremy had a relatively short career with Metal XOR Studio. And during that time he never played one instrument.
He started in 1988 as one of the three original members of the Two-Tones. He helped by writing some of the lyrics. He also sang in many of the songs. He held his position until June of 1989 when he moved away to attend West Point. It took a few months, but he was eventually replaced by their friend Joe in the Two-Tones.
And in early 1989 he was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He helped get the T-shirts made and did much of the video recording.
Although he was only associated with the Studio for less than a year and a half, his contribution was vital to the early days of the Studio.
Next week: Mark S
He started in 1988 as one of the three original members of the Two-Tones. He helped by writing some of the lyrics. He also sang in many of the songs. He held his position until June of 1989 when he moved away to attend West Point. It took a few months, but he was eventually replaced by their friend Joe in the Two-Tones.
And in early 1989 he was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He helped get the T-shirts made and did much of the video recording.
Although he was only associated with the Studio for less than a year and a half, his contribution was vital to the early days of the Studio.
Next week: Mark S
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Musician Profile #8: Joe B
Joe's affiliation with the Studio began around the year 1988. Although not a member of the Two-Tones, he was present at several of their recording sessions throughout 1988 and 1989. In June of 1989, Jeremy (the singer) left to attend West Point. A few months later Joe became his replacement as the official third member. In May of 1990, the Two-Tones held their last jam/recording session.
In 1989 Joe was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He was considered the band's manager and made sure the band had what they needed. His name was Binky Deengelbury.
He also provided vocals on a couple of early Mune Mud songs, specifically "King Song" and "The One-Liner", both of which appeared on the unreleased Mune Mud debut album. Both songs also appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
During the years of 1991-1993 he was also in the background of the band The Spartans. He did attempt some guitar playing but he usually provided vocals, if anything.
He moved away some time around 1993-1994 and the Studio is still waiting to here from him again.
Next week: Jeremy S
In 1989 Joe was also an honorary member of the Traveling Deengelburys. He was considered the band's manager and made sure the band had what they needed. His name was Binky Deengelbury.
He also provided vocals on a couple of early Mune Mud songs, specifically "King Song" and "The One-Liner", both of which appeared on the unreleased Mune Mud debut album. Both songs also appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
During the years of 1991-1993 he was also in the background of the band The Spartans. He did attempt some guitar playing but he usually provided vocals, if anything.
He moved away some time around 1993-1994 and the Studio is still waiting to here from him again.
Next week: Jeremy S
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Musician Profile #7: Darrin R
Darrin has been a friend of the Studio almost longer than anyone else. He and Jason wrote their first song, "Fatty Fatty 2x4", in grade school. Darrin provided the lyrics and Jason played the piano part.
But it wasn't until 1988 or 1989 that Darrin and Jason rekindled the magic. They would "cruise around town" and sing along with songs on the radio, making up their own lyrics. It wasn't long before Jason started taking his tape recorder with him when they cruised. They recorded a few tapes of their singing. Near the end of this short music career, Jason put together a tape called "The Best of Darrin and Jason" which included their favorite songs. The tape was never an "official" album release, just something made for Darrin and Jason to hear.
Darrin also made appearances with other projects through the years. He was part of a few Two-Tones recording sessions. He was the saxophone player for the Traveling Deengelburys. And he recorded a few songs with Mune Mud (providing lyrics and some drums). One of his songs with Mune Mud appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
With his hectic schedule he has not been a part of the Studio's music for quite some time. He is always welcome to contribute but chances are Darrin's days at Metal XOR Studio are over.
Next week: Joe B
But it wasn't until 1988 or 1989 that Darrin and Jason rekindled the magic. They would "cruise around town" and sing along with songs on the radio, making up their own lyrics. It wasn't long before Jason started taking his tape recorder with him when they cruised. They recorded a few tapes of their singing. Near the end of this short music career, Jason put together a tape called "The Best of Darrin and Jason" which included their favorite songs. The tape was never an "official" album release, just something made for Darrin and Jason to hear.
Darrin also made appearances with other projects through the years. He was part of a few Two-Tones recording sessions. He was the saxophone player for the Traveling Deengelburys. And he recorded a few songs with Mune Mud (providing lyrics and some drums). One of his songs with Mune Mud appeared on the 1994 Binary Pipedream album.
With his hectic schedule he has not been a part of the Studio's music for quite some time. He is always welcome to contribute but chances are Darrin's days at Metal XOR Studio are over.
Next week: Joe B
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Musician Profile #6: Brad P
Brad was a drummer by trade. And Phil Collins of Genesis was the drummer Brad wanted to be. It was in high school, when Harry and Jason were learning to play synthesizers and guitars, that Brad the Drummer was discovered.
He was the drummer for the band Pheonix starting around 1986. That lasted a couple of years.
In early 1989, he was the drummer for the high school 50's & 60's band The Traveling Deengelburys. Later that year, after high school graduation, Brad moved away to college.
It was around 1990-1991 when he returned to town and stopped by Metal XOR Studio. The Studio was enjoying its new drum machine and 4-track recorder. Songs for the Mune Mud album Olympus were being recorded. It was the Golden Era of the Studio. Brad contributed by programming a few drum patterns that would be used. He also recorded vocals for a couple of unused songs during the Olympus era.
Of those associated with the Studio, Brad was the only one that had a personal computer. So Jason had Brad design the album cover for Mune Mud's 1992 Underwater Problem Factory.
Also during this period (1991-1993) Harry, Jason, and Brad played together again as The Spartans in garages and a couple of parties. Brad was still the drummer.
In 1993 Brad moved away again but left his drums in Harry's garage. So when Isthmus was created in 1995, Brad's drums were used. In fact, they were used throughout the entire Isthmus career.
It has been 15 years and Brad has yet to be heard from.
Next week: Darrin R
He was the drummer for the band Pheonix starting around 1986. That lasted a couple of years.
In early 1989, he was the drummer for the high school 50's & 60's band The Traveling Deengelburys. Later that year, after high school graduation, Brad moved away to college.
It was around 1990-1991 when he returned to town and stopped by Metal XOR Studio. The Studio was enjoying its new drum machine and 4-track recorder. Songs for the Mune Mud album Olympus were being recorded. It was the Golden Era of the Studio. Brad contributed by programming a few drum patterns that would be used. He also recorded vocals for a couple of unused songs during the Olympus era.
Of those associated with the Studio, Brad was the only one that had a personal computer. So Jason had Brad design the album cover for Mune Mud's 1992 Underwater Problem Factory.
Also during this period (1991-1993) Harry, Jason, and Brad played together again as The Spartans in garages and a couple of parties. Brad was still the drummer.
In 1993 Brad moved away again but left his drums in Harry's garage. So when Isthmus was created in 1995, Brad's drums were used. In fact, they were used throughout the entire Isthmus career.
It has been 15 years and Brad has yet to be heard from.
Next week: Darrin R
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Musician Profile #5: Paige W
At age 4, Paige is by far the youngest artist that works with the Studio. And her music career has just begun. Update Paige is now 5.
In August of 2007 her first album was released, titled My First Album. Since that release she has had a recording session once a month to record songs which will be on her second album due out this fall.
She has also been learning to play the piano. Her lessons started a few months ago and they will continue as long as she shows interest.
We are looking forward to many years of music from Paige.
Update
She performed a Vacation Bible School song at church on Sunday, October 5, 2008. Click here to read the post and watch the video.
Next week: Brad P
In August of 2007 her first album was released, titled My First Album. Since that release she has had a recording session once a month to record songs which will be on her second album due out this fall.
She has also been learning to play the piano. Her lessons started a few months ago and they will continue as long as she shows interest.
We are looking forward to many years of music from Paige.
Update
She performed a Vacation Bible School song at church on Sunday, October 5, 2008. Click here to read the post and watch the video.
Next week: Brad P
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Musician Profile #4: Nikki W
Nikki grew up with music. She took piano lessons when she was young, she was in the school band, she even went to college and got her degree in teaching choir and band. She has played nearly every band instrument available. But her most prominent are the saxophone and her voice.
She met Jason in February of 1998. It didn't take long for them to start recording songs together, usually with Jason writing the music and Nikki writing the lyrics and providing vocals. In 2001 they released an EP called Love Songs under the name Nikki and Jason Watson.
They also wrote a couple of songs that Nikki performed at church.
With their busy schedules they have not recorded anything together for quite some time, but eventually they will create more music together.
She met Jason in February of 1998. It didn't take long for them to start recording songs together, usually with Jason writing the music and Nikki writing the lyrics and providing vocals. In 2001 they released an EP called Love Songs under the name Nikki and Jason Watson.
They also wrote a couple of songs that Nikki performed at church.
With their busy schedules they have not recorded anything together for quite some time, but eventually they will create more music together.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Musician Profile #3: Jimmy D
Jimmy began his music career the same as Jason and Harry with piano lessons at a young age. He then played in his high school band.
It was on October 10, 1993, when he walked into Metal XOR Studio as Jason was recording the song "Two-Tone Rhythm Kill" (a song appearing on the 1993 NueroMorgue album Devis Tortura). Jason decided to have Jimmy sing the verses of the song. Thus began a long musical relationship with the Studio.
After that song Jimmy was invited back to sing vocals with Jason on "Pedestal Song", a NueroMud song that was on the 1994 album ...Libra 971. The song also appeared on the 1994 album Binary Pipedream.
Jimmy soon became a regular in the Studio, not only recording vocals but eventually playing bass guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, recorder, and whatever else was needed for the songs. By now Jason and Jimmy were working on their own project which they called ORC.
In 1999 ORC released their first album, Purging the Great Abyss. After the album's release they immediately started work on the next album with several recording sessions. But Jason got married and there was not as much time for music as before. So ORC was put on hold.
While in ORC, Jimmy was also a member of Isthmus from 1996-1998, performing on three of the four Isthmus albums. He was primarily the drummer but also played some bass and sang when needed.
He has since founded his own studio called Attic Works Studio and has recorded various songs in the last few years. He has yet to release his first solo album.
As of the writing of this article ORC is back in the studio, finally recording their second album. While Jason does his recording at Metal XOR Studio, Jimmy does his recording at Attic Works Studio. Then the two will combine their material in ways yet unknown to produce an album destined to be greater than the first.
Update - The second ORC album has yet to be completed. But in late 2010, Jimmy provided bass lines to half of the songs on Mune Mud's The Zodiac Road. This was the first time he appeared on a Mune Mud album. He also mastered the entire album.
Next week: Nikki W
It was on October 10, 1993, when he walked into Metal XOR Studio as Jason was recording the song "Two-Tone Rhythm Kill" (a song appearing on the 1993 NueroMorgue album Devis Tortura). Jason decided to have Jimmy sing the verses of the song. Thus began a long musical relationship with the Studio.
After that song Jimmy was invited back to sing vocals with Jason on "Pedestal Song", a NueroMud song that was on the 1994 album ...Libra 971. The song also appeared on the 1994 album Binary Pipedream.
Jimmy soon became a regular in the Studio, not only recording vocals but eventually playing bass guitar, acoustic guitar, keyboards, recorder, and whatever else was needed for the songs. By now Jason and Jimmy were working on their own project which they called ORC.
In 1999 ORC released their first album, Purging the Great Abyss. After the album's release they immediately started work on the next album with several recording sessions. But Jason got married and there was not as much time for music as before. So ORC was put on hold.
While in ORC, Jimmy was also a member of Isthmus from 1996-1998, performing on three of the four Isthmus albums. He was primarily the drummer but also played some bass and sang when needed.
He has since founded his own studio called Attic Works Studio and has recorded various songs in the last few years. He has yet to release his first solo album.
As of the writing of this article ORC is back in the studio, finally recording their second album. While Jason does his recording at Metal XOR Studio, Jimmy does his recording at Attic Works Studio. Then the two will combine their material in ways yet unknown to produce an album destined to be greater than the first.
Update - The second ORC album has yet to be completed. But in late 2010, Jimmy provided bass lines to half of the songs on Mune Mud's The Zodiac Road. This was the first time he appeared on a Mune Mud album. He also mastered the entire album.
Next week: Nikki W
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Musician Profile #2: Harry D
Harry's music career began with piano lessons when he was young, the same as Jason W. Their music would cross paths around 1986 when they began recording themselves singing ad-libbed lyrics to instrumental music on the radio.
Then Harry got a Korg synthesizer in 1987 and helped form the band Pheonix with Brad P and Mark A.
This incarnation of Pheonix didn't last too long, but it led to the creation of the Two-Tones for which Harry played synthesizer and drum machine.
In 1988 Harry was part of a 3-man Christmas show in high school, along with Jason and their Spanish teacher Mark S. This led to the 50's & 60's band the Traveling Deengelburys which played on March 31, 1989, at a high school fund-raiser dance.
In the early to mid 90's, Harry, Jason, and Brad P got together as The Spartans. By now Harry was playing electric guitar and singing. This band only lasted a couple of years.
Then Harry and Jason went solo once again, playing much of the music The Spartans had played. This time they were known as The Duke Boys. This bridged the gap between The Spartans and their next band, Isthmus.
Isthmus was his next band. From 1995 to 1998 he played keyboards, electric guitar, bass, and drums at various times on the six albums that the band has released thus far.
He was the drummer for the short-lived band called Muffin Loaf where he and Jason played with co-workers for a one-night performance in 2003.
He has been in other various Metal XOR Studio projects including Binary Pipedream and Young Herbage.
The Studio has not heard the last of Harry. He will continue to be on the roster of musicians as long as the Studio is around.
Next week: Jimmy D
Then Harry got a Korg synthesizer in 1987 and helped form the band Pheonix with Brad P and Mark A.
This incarnation of Pheonix didn't last too long, but it led to the creation of the Two-Tones for which Harry played synthesizer and drum machine.
In 1988 Harry was part of a 3-man Christmas show in high school, along with Jason and their Spanish teacher Mark S. This led to the 50's & 60's band the Traveling Deengelburys which played on March 31, 1989, at a high school fund-raiser dance.
In the early to mid 90's, Harry, Jason, and Brad P got together as The Spartans. By now Harry was playing electric guitar and singing. This band only lasted a couple of years.
Then Harry and Jason went solo once again, playing much of the music The Spartans had played. This time they were known as The Duke Boys. This bridged the gap between The Spartans and their next band, Isthmus.
Isthmus was his next band. From 1995 to 1998 he played keyboards, electric guitar, bass, and drums at various times on the six albums that the band has released thus far.
He was the drummer for the short-lived band called Muffin Loaf where he and Jason played with co-workers for a one-night performance in 2003.
He has been in other various Metal XOR Studio projects including Binary Pipedream and Young Herbage.
The Studio has not heard the last of Harry. He will continue to be on the roster of musicians as long as the Studio is around.
Next week: Jimmy D
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Musician Profile #1: Jason W
This is a sneak peak of a new feature that will start early next year. It is called the Musician Profile. It will focus on people that have contributed in one way or another to the music of Metal XOR Studio. This first entry will discuss none other than Metal XOR Studio founder and CEO, Jason himself.
Name: Jason W
Projects involved with: all
Jason's music career began at the age of four with piano lessons. He continued piano lessons into his mid-teens. Then he received a small Yamaha keyboard in the fall of 1986. With that he filled a few tapes of cover songs and original songs.
Just prior to getting his keyboard, he and his cousin Harry were recording themselves singing ad-libbed lyrics to instrumental songs off of the radio. This lasted a couple of years and created more than a dozen tapes of the two singing.
In 1987 Jason also played keyboards for the garage band Pheonix. This eventually led to him borrowing a friend's electric guitar and becoming the guitarist for the Two-Tones. He also played guitar in a trio for a school Christmas program in 1988. This led to the 50's & 60's band The Traveling Deengelburys. Jason played rhythm guitar for their only show, a fund-raising dance at the high school in March of 1989.
There was a brief period where Jason experimented with layering his keyboard sounds and adding vocals. This experimentation in 1990, along with a newly acquired drum machine, led to the earliest Mune Mud recordings.
Even though the solo project Mune Mud is still around today it has spawned other projects throughout the years that have come and gone. The second project Jason created was NueroMorgue in 1993. The next was NueroMud in 1994.
In the early 90's he was a member of two other projects: The Spartans (with Harry and Brad) and The Duke Boys (just Jason and Harry).
By now there were two other major projects he was involved with. He was a member of Isthmus, along with his cousins Harry and Jimmy. And in the late 90's he and Jimmy had their own project called ORC.
In 1998 Jason met his future wife, Nikki. They recorded a few songs together and released an album in 2001 called Love Songs. They also wrote a couple of songs that Nikki sang at church. They have plans on writing and recording more music in the future.
In 2003 Jason was the bass player in a group called Muffin Loaf. This was a group of Jason's co-workers who got together to play a show after work on March 18, 2003.
He is also producing albums for the newest member of the Metal XOR family, Paige W. Her first album came out in August of this year. She has already recorded a few sessions for her second album due out next fall.
A few other projects that either didn't get out of the planning stages or had limited success are X-Selsior, Binary Pipedream, Young Herbage, and Parvo.
Jason is a jack-of-all-instruments, master of none. To varying degrees he has played the piano, keyboards, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, drum machines, recorder, violin, and attempted vocals. Most of the music in the last year or so has been created in the computer, so he has experience with various programs such as CakeWalk, Reason, and Audition.
Overall, Jason has created a lot of music in the last twenty years and plans on creating much more in the next twenty.
Name: Jason W
Projects involved with: all
Jason's music career began at the age of four with piano lessons. He continued piano lessons into his mid-teens. Then he received a small Yamaha keyboard in the fall of 1986. With that he filled a few tapes of cover songs and original songs.
Just prior to getting his keyboard, he and his cousin Harry were recording themselves singing ad-libbed lyrics to instrumental songs off of the radio. This lasted a couple of years and created more than a dozen tapes of the two singing.
In 1987 Jason also played keyboards for the garage band Pheonix. This eventually led to him borrowing a friend's electric guitar and becoming the guitarist for the Two-Tones. He also played guitar in a trio for a school Christmas program in 1988. This led to the 50's & 60's band The Traveling Deengelburys. Jason played rhythm guitar for their only show, a fund-raising dance at the high school in March of 1989.
There was a brief period where Jason experimented with layering his keyboard sounds and adding vocals. This experimentation in 1990, along with a newly acquired drum machine, led to the earliest Mune Mud recordings.
Even though the solo project Mune Mud is still around today it has spawned other projects throughout the years that have come and gone. The second project Jason created was NueroMorgue in 1993. The next was NueroMud in 1994.
In the early 90's he was a member of two other projects: The Spartans (with Harry and Brad) and The Duke Boys (just Jason and Harry).
By now there were two other major projects he was involved with. He was a member of Isthmus, along with his cousins Harry and Jimmy. And in the late 90's he and Jimmy had their own project called ORC.
In 1998 Jason met his future wife, Nikki. They recorded a few songs together and released an album in 2001 called Love Songs. They also wrote a couple of songs that Nikki sang at church. They have plans on writing and recording more music in the future.
In 2003 Jason was the bass player in a group called Muffin Loaf. This was a group of Jason's co-workers who got together to play a show after work on March 18, 2003.
He is also producing albums for the newest member of the Metal XOR family, Paige W. Her first album came out in August of this year. She has already recorded a few sessions for her second album due out next fall.
A few other projects that either didn't get out of the planning stages or had limited success are X-Selsior, Binary Pipedream, Young Herbage, and Parvo.
Jason is a jack-of-all-instruments, master of none. To varying degrees he has played the piano, keyboards, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, drum machines, recorder, violin, and attempted vocals. Most of the music in the last year or so has been created in the computer, so he has experience with various programs such as CakeWalk, Reason, and Audition.
Overall, Jason has created a lot of music in the last twenty years and plans on creating much more in the next twenty.
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