Tuesday - Music: My Epiphone Goth G-400

For my second entry on my collection of instruments, I'll get the other electric out of the way, as I've been jamming on and recording with it tonight.

The Epiphone Goth G-400. Let me start by defending myself and explaining the Robert Smith-like name. It's called the 'Goth' G-400 because everything is a jet black mostly matte finish. Everything from the pickups to the hardware to the pickguard. Oh right, the neck also has no fret markers to speak of, just this mother of pearl inlay of 'XII' on the (can you guess?) 12th fret. All of this is super dumb.

What isn't dumb is how this baby plays. The pickups it comes stocked with are pretty hot sounding. It's almost like a single coil sound from two humbuckers. The neck on this beast is one of the chunkiest I've ever wrapped my left hand around. Seriously, holding this guitar feels more like holding a baseball bat. It's heavy too, I can't let go of the neck without it taking a dive for the floor, but that's ok. I rarely want to let go of it once I've picked it up.

This neck is so thick that I normally keep the thickest strings I can find on it. I say, if I can keep one guitar tuned to a drop-B for the occasional metal chug-fest, why not right? The main idea you should be taking away from this is that with some of my guitars, I could play you songs until you're blue in the face. With this guitar, I will pummel your face until it's blue anyhow. I'm tired. Goodnight. This was the worst entry ever. You should probably check back once I come back to edit it out of embarrassment.

bth

Thursday - Current Events : I don't know

Thursday... What is it I do these days again? Current events you say? Nothing is going on in the world that is of much interest to me. The Phillies are going to the World Series again, so there's that. I really didn't ever want to resort to bland generic entries, but a foreshadowing of what's to come... Hmm...

PREVIEW PREVIEW PREVIEW!!!!

This FRIDAY FRIDAY FRIDAY!!!, Sarah and I will attending a PARTY for our friend ANTHONY!!!! AT A RESTAURANT!!!

There. Did that excite you enough? Capital letters get you going right? Stay tuned this weekend for a double entry, about both the party and my day spent with the lovely Sarah at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium!

bth

Wednesday: Games and Sports - Philly Sports

So chances are, if you're reading this it's because you know me. Personally, man-to-man, cordially, sexually, whatever. If you do, you know what's coming. If not, look out mate...

I live in Pittsburgh, PA, and I love it. In so many ways, it's home. Anything I want to do/eat/see/hear/buy is easily less than twenty minutes from my door, and that's not always drive time either. The thing is... it can't ever be HOME home. I am from the half of this fair state that the sun chooses to shine on first, and boy freaking howdy do I enjoy letting people know that. Like, to the point that people think I'm your typical Eastern PA rude sonofabitch, even though... Anyhow, I have a few ways of pointing this out, but none come up quite as much as my constant undying love for anything Philly sports. Let me try to explain here...

I have no idea what it feels like to be a fan of a team from another city. The logical side of my brain wants me to believe that it's the same everywhere you go. Then, we have the side of my brain that was raised an hour outside of Philadelphia. I can tell you, and I'm right, that it's different from anything I've personally seen. We don't have a team like the Steelers that we don't worry about because there's no question they'll be good. We don't have a Detroit Red Wings that nearly our entire population have seen hoisting a trophy more than once. There are flipsides as well. We don't have an LA Clippers who are so bad that we have given up on them. We don't have a Phoenix Coyotes who are such a bad draw that we might end up losing them altogether. No, until last year, almost exactly, all we had to go on were hopes and somedays.

The thrill of seeing our Fightin' Phils win that World Series last year was so great that the entire city practically shut down. Seriously, for one day, a victory parade brought more people to Philly than the Olympics would. I could never contend that we are better fans or better people or anything like that. It's just that we're stuck in this odd limbo that I'm not sure any other North American pro-sports city knows the likes of. For years, almost every year, our big four teams have been good, even great. They've taken us to the playoffs consistently, and even occasionally to the big game. The '97 Flyers, the '01 Sixers, the '04 Eagles. All huge games, and all huge letdowns.

We're not as rabid or loyal as Pittsburgh. We're not as storied or worthy as Detroit. We're not as numerous as LA or as proud as NY. Hell, we're not even as scrappy as New Jersey. We're just Philly fans, and nothing is ever going to take that out of us.

Tuesday - Music: My Aria-Pro II LP

For my first (belated) post on my instruments, I figured I'd write about my first real guitar. Now please, dear reader, keep in mind that, when I say 'real' guitar, I mean one of a quality that would not embarrass me to be seen playing on stage. And now, presenting....

Yes, there she is, basking in all the glory she gives off. Now most guitar companies, including Aria, put serial numbers on guitars for dating purposes. This particular gem does not have one, which according to Aria's website means that it comes from a period ranging from the late 70's to early 80's. For this reason, I like to pretend that she's a '77, because 1977 was such an awesome year. Think about it. Peter Gabriel I. The Clash's self titled debut. Pink Floyd's Animals. The Sex Pistols entire (and singular) discography. Either way, it's older than I am, and I think that is awesome.

It's a knockoff that I got with birthday and Xmas money when I was...17? I've had trouble with the wiring, several screws have gone missing, the paint is chipping, the pickup holders are cracked and I would not ever trade, sell or give it away. I've played countless guitars on store shelves and friends homes and keep coming back to this old girl. Something about the guitar you learn to play on. It's like getting a car, anytime you step back into your first car it's naught but memories. I've done the vast majority of my recording on this guitar, which might not mean anything to anybody but me, but I doubt much of this does anyway.

If this bored you, there's still 3 guitars, a bass, a keyboard and drums in excess coming your way.

bth

October

Right, October.

I'm coming.