I'm going to say some stuff. I loved reading this. I've written my own essay on a band I used to be in that ended with the bassist going to grad school (we had a drum machine).
I'm not a fan of instrumental rock. Most of it seems kind of predictable and it doesn't always strike an emotional nerve. I think the first Explosions in the Sky record was the first truly great instrumental rock record I heard. I liked Mogwai but even they started singing. I don't know. Not my thing.
Big exception is Agassiz and previously, Giant Sons. I remember Chris talking about how great Giant Sons were and I loved that compilation album G7 released. It wasn't predictable. It had actually moments of genuine catharsis. Lyrics were unnecessary. Same with Agassiz.
I'm amazed at how each release builds upon the last. It's almost frustrating, as a guitarist, to have an instrument emote in a way you can't manage. The bass is stern and focused with nice flourishes. The guitar work is intricate and spectacular but not bombastic. The drums keep things on course, but have little nuances that add so much, which is something drummers are notoriously awful at practicing--pace and nuance. At least in my experience. Agassiz is compelling and interesting, which is all I want from music or writing.
I think you've finally find the vehicle to escalate your voice--the guitar. I hope it continues to be an outfit deep into your long and happy life, David.
Side note: I saw you with Propagandhi in Virginia Beach playing at a strange club with Paint It Black years ago. It was crowded and they had scantily clad women bringing drinks to people. I remember Paint It Black Dan being particularly bothered by it (he also kicked me in the head during "Fuck The Border" then apologized). "Supporting Caste"-era. Anyways, you were very kind as two of my friends and I basically swarmed your Sprinter van during load-out. Out of the three of us that went to that show, I'm the only one of my friend group that is still alive. That's the last time we were together. So it's a special memory for me.
That’s very kind of you to share. Thank you. And I kinda remember that show. Is there a military or Air Force base nearby? Am I remembering that correctly? And the show was on the second floor of some weird beach bar? Sorry about your friends, Steven. Glad you’re still with us.
Hmm. All I remember is watching how Todd and Chris held their picks. I also watched a bunch of Paul Gilbert videos, but ultimately it just came down to me suckin it up and playing through the discomfort until it felt natural. I ended up curling my index finger so that the pick is held between the thumb and the side of the index finger. Previously, I had my thumb bent so the pick was held with the pad of my index finger and thumb.
That Giant Sons stuff was revelatory to me. I don't think I had ever heard instrumental rock music that could grip me before that. Agassiz follows suit, naturally.
Internally, I was super skeptical that it could possibly be good to add a 4th band member to Propagandhi. Any fears I had were obviously quickly dashed and I think you ushered in a really great era to the band. My favorite so far.
I love how much you shaped the sound of the band. I still hear so much of what you did for them in Agassiz. I would have never guessed you weren't totally ready at any point because the band got so much tighter when you joined. You and Chris blend so well together and some of the tracks you wrote continue to be some of their most enduring from that time period (i.e. Last Will and Testament).
Thank you. Yeah Last Will is probably the tune that stands out for me as one I’m most proud of. Was a group effort tho....just listen to Rod and Jord working together in that intro. **chef’s kiss
We've never met, but I know your bandmate Derek from the A-Zone scene, way back in the day. (He worked at G7 around when I worked in the Canadian Dimension mag office, or thereabouts.) Love your Agassiz stuff. I hope you do release the Rough Music album on Bandcamp. I will buy it!
That would be amazing! That EP only exists on an old iPod that I keep only for that reason. The final song you guys did that I’m not even sure is titled is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I think I’ve ever heard. (I think I’ve actually bothered you on Instagram messenger about this in the past haha)
It used to be on the band’s old MySpace page and was just titled “Final Song”. It’s like 6 minutes long. I don’t know where it would exist anymore other than my iPod!
I'm going to say some stuff. I loved reading this. I've written my own essay on a band I used to be in that ended with the bassist going to grad school (we had a drum machine).
I'm not a fan of instrumental rock. Most of it seems kind of predictable and it doesn't always strike an emotional nerve. I think the first Explosions in the Sky record was the first truly great instrumental rock record I heard. I liked Mogwai but even they started singing. I don't know. Not my thing.
Big exception is Agassiz and previously, Giant Sons. I remember Chris talking about how great Giant Sons were and I loved that compilation album G7 released. It wasn't predictable. It had actually moments of genuine catharsis. Lyrics were unnecessary. Same with Agassiz.
I'm amazed at how each release builds upon the last. It's almost frustrating, as a guitarist, to have an instrument emote in a way you can't manage. The bass is stern and focused with nice flourishes. The guitar work is intricate and spectacular but not bombastic. The drums keep things on course, but have little nuances that add so much, which is something drummers are notoriously awful at practicing--pace and nuance. At least in my experience. Agassiz is compelling and interesting, which is all I want from music or writing.
I think you've finally find the vehicle to escalate your voice--the guitar. I hope it continues to be an outfit deep into your long and happy life, David.
Side note: I saw you with Propagandhi in Virginia Beach playing at a strange club with Paint It Black years ago. It was crowded and they had scantily clad women bringing drinks to people. I remember Paint It Black Dan being particularly bothered by it (he also kicked me in the head during "Fuck The Border" then apologized). "Supporting Caste"-era. Anyways, you were very kind as two of my friends and I basically swarmed your Sprinter van during load-out. Out of the three of us that went to that show, I'm the only one of my friend group that is still alive. That's the last time we were together. So it's a special memory for me.
That’s very kind of you to share. Thank you. And I kinda remember that show. Is there a military or Air Force base nearby? Am I remembering that correctly? And the show was on the second floor of some weird beach bar? Sorry about your friends, Steven. Glad you’re still with us.
Do you have any references you could suggest on how to learn to correct your picking technique? I struggle with that as well.
Hmm. All I remember is watching how Todd and Chris held their picks. I also watched a bunch of Paul Gilbert videos, but ultimately it just came down to me suckin it up and playing through the discomfort until it felt natural. I ended up curling my index finger so that the pick is held between the thumb and the side of the index finger. Previously, I had my thumb bent so the pick was held with the pad of my index finger and thumb.
I second this- any details on the before and after of the picking hand retraining would be very interesting!
Absolutely fantastic essay, David! THANK YOU!
Thanks Greg!
1. Prism song
2. Picard’s last line in All Good Things. The ST:TNG finale
Loved the article! Gotta repress the Rough Music recordings!
Another wiener. I will email you.
That Giant Sons stuff was revelatory to me. I don't think I had ever heard instrumental rock music that could grip me before that. Agassiz follows suit, naturally.
Internally, I was super skeptical that it could possibly be good to add a 4th band member to Propagandhi. Any fears I had were obviously quickly dashed and I think you ushered in a really great era to the band. My favorite so far.
I love how much you shaped the sound of the band. I still hear so much of what you did for them in Agassiz. I would have never guessed you weren't totally ready at any point because the band got so much tighter when you joined. You and Chris blend so well together and some of the tracks you wrote continue to be some of their most enduring from that time period (i.e. Last Will and Testament).
Thank you. Yeah Last Will is probably the tune that stands out for me as one I’m most proud of. Was a group effort tho....just listen to Rod and Jord working together in that intro. **chef’s kiss
Not sure how or when I acquired it, but I've got that Self-Portrait 7". Didn't know you were a part of that! Neat stuff
Our roots run deep, Sheldon. Haha
Upload to bandcamp or YouTube or something please!
Don’t hold your breath on that one. But I **may get around to doing so with the rough music stuff.
We've never met, but I know your bandmate Derek from the A-Zone scene, way back in the day. (He worked at G7 around when I worked in the Canadian Dimension mag office, or thereabouts.) Love your Agassiz stuff. I hope you do release the Rough Music album on Bandcamp. I will buy it!
Thanks Edwin!
That would be amazing! That EP only exists on an old iPod that I keep only for that reason. The final song you guys did that I’m not even sure is titled is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I think I’ve ever heard. (I think I’ve actually bothered you on Instagram messenger about this in the past haha)
Remind which song that is? And where do I listen to it? Haha
It used to be on the band’s old MySpace page and was just titled “Final Song”. It’s like 6 minutes long. I don’t know where it would exist anymore other than my iPod!
Is there anyway you could send it to me?
Just managed to find a copy of that 7" for $8 with shipping. Score
What?! How is that thing not a valuable collector’s item by now?!
i'm pretty pumped to get it! had no idea it existed, looked it up, there it was!
Spaceship Superstar lyric. First reference.
We have a wiener. I will email you.