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[CHRIS]

Long ago I played at Gazzarri’s in Hollywood; tons of famous groups have played there through the years. Van Halen played there many times before they hit it big. Then roughly 10 years ago I ran into David Lee Roth at a restaurant in Pasedena, CA. I started talking to him about playing at Gazzarri’s. I could tell he wasn’t thrilled to talk to me (he was way more interested in talking to the waitresses, what a surprise!), but he put up with me for a minute & then said, “Well good luck to you!” I took the hint & left him alone after that. I was still excited to talk to him though since Van Halen is one of my favorite groups.

When I lived with my parents (long ago), I lived in Glendora, CA for a long time. Ex-Van Halen bassist & background singer Michael Anthony lived in Glendora for a long time (he has since moved to the beach). A friend of mine took aerial photos of Michael’s house, & was in contact with him on several occasions. I tagged along with my friend when he went to Michael’s house once (roughly 25 years ago). The house looked a bit like a castle from what I remember. My friend said Michael was leery of strangers, so he told me to stay in the truck. When we pulled up Michael was working in the yard, where my friend talked to him. Michael’s good-looking wife came out of the house & smiled at me (can I get sued for that?).

Years later, (after I had moved out of my parents’ house), Michael Anthony’s wife showed up on my father’s doorstep with a real estate agent, out of the blue. She said she was interested in buying my father’s house for her mother, but nothing more ever became of it.

More stories to ensue if you can stand the excitement. 😉

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

Spikerama,
I live near Los Angeles. I have all sorts of music related stories if you’re interested; including a few concerning Van Halen if you’re into that group at all. Also have some Neil Diamond/Elvis Presely related stories. Also a story relating to The Adolescents/D.I. if you’re into early punk stuff. Also a Spencer Davis story, and a Dick Dale story.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

Spikerama,
Ah yes, I used to work with an Okie from Muskogee long ago. So now I can speak Okie also.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

Spikerama,
It seems different people get different sorts of sounds out of an Ebow. I have discovered that if you occasionally lightly bang the Ebow against the guitar strings, or slide the Ebow up the guitar strings, it can give some cool sounds that I like (in addition to your basic Ebow sounds).

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

Spikerama,
“Cascading” sound nice. Assuming you are from USA (though maybe you’re not), what state are you from?

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

Spikerama,
Thank you for checking it out and replying, I appreciate it! I often got the guitar to scream by using an Ebow.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

onewayout_1,
That is one way out_of missing some of the Hillary versus Trump carnage. 😉 Thank you for replying!

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

onewayout_1,
Thank you for listening & commenting, I appreciate it! Are you from a particular state or country? Just curious.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

The product you are asking about is rather new. I wouldn’t anticipate it will go on sale soon, based on my experience. If you’re lucky, it will be half price when Christmas approaches several months from now.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

John,
Thank you for answering! That is good news. I think toontrack should make it more clear it works with Superior Drummer 2. I think you’d sell more.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

Damian,
Thank you for replying! I can’t say I would ever use those particular sounds, but otherwise the EZX sounds pretty good.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

notstewart,
After giving me such a kind review of my tune “Down the Avenue”, I figure I should review “Forever and a Day” (by the way I have a song called “Forever Today”). Yes, I have found layering vocals often improves things, and I’m sure it helped your tune: vocals are pleasant. In your tune, I found a certain amount of good humor (and truth) with the lyrics (I’m assuming that was intentional). Guitar riffs and piano are nice. My wife drives a minivan. A likable tune. I hate those Wall Street “corrections”. What is correct about losing money in the stock market? Makes it sound better I suppose. Or good if you want to buy stock cheaper.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

notstewart,
Thank you very much! Yes, at times Bowie and the Talking Heads have been influences. By the way, bassist Tony Levin (who has played for David Bowie and many others), and the Tom Tom Club (Talking Heads bassist & drummer) have played at the Key Club before in Hollywood. I played there a long time ago when it was called Gazzarri’s.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

notstewart,
Thank you for listening & commenting! I reviewed a couple of your tunes to return the favor. 🙂

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[CHRIS]

notstewart,
Thank you for reviewing my music! I have a tune named “Down the Avenue”. Anyway: “Down the Road”: this mix does not suck at all! Audio quality is very good! Guitar playing & riffs sound very good also. Singing & vocal melodies are excellent! All of the layered vocal tracks help a lot, I’m sure. Very nice song! Since you listened to more than one song of mine I will review: “Pull the Trigger on It”: I don’t like it quite as much (overall) as the previous song, though it is still quite good. I do like the guitars a lot: playing, audio quality/tone, and riffs. Vocals & vocal melodies are good. Drums are working well. Another very good mix in my opinion. Another nice tune! 🙂

Since you are good at reviewing first, I invite you here:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=51

Most likely you will get more reviews than here if you’re good about reviewing others first (especially the C4C threads: critique for critique), though it may take a while to build a good reputation about returning the favor, as a lot of people flake out.

https://www.soundclick.com/aaronaardvark

Cubase 10.5, iMac OSX 10.15.7, memory 32GB, Steinberg UR22 mkII interface

[Author]

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