 |
Fobner's blog
| Monday, October 8th, 2007
Happy GiveThankings
Well well, just scrolling down some past blogs and see I posted on October 8 last year. Shall we compare one year later to see how well we've done????
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's see... did the dinner yesterday with the fam. More of a "guys trying not to wreck a bird" type of meal. My dad tried to cook, I tried to help. My brother in law showed up with some beer, so that helped. But I dumped part of a beer onto Dad's plate so he'll never know how the food was!
He'd have scraped off the plate if it wasn't a waste of beer.
The bike is sleeping at the moment. She needs a new back tire before we hit the blacktop again. This one just won't do.
Back in Noiseville, GMP are working on another new one. This called Psycho Creeps. Got the beds down. Working the dubs now. May have to rewrite the bass. It's just not twisting your nips like it should, ya know???
Boogie Boy is away to his aunts for food and videos. I'll see him sometime tonight.
We did manage to get up to Rockton on Saturday. Was a great day. No helicopter this year, but lots of rides and tons of food. That equals a great day to any kid. He got ice cream, pizza, french fries, slushies, pop, and bags of candy. He's good.
He tells me this is his fav family tradition. That when he's 95 years old, he'll still be taking his adult children (and their children!) to Rockton's Fair. I doubt he will, but it's nice that he enjoys it this much.
Alrighty then, I'm outta here. Still haven't had that morning coffee yet. Someone get me an IV pole, a winged infusion, some tubing and a pump. We're going for the ultimate travel coffee!
Hang tight in NoiseHood. We'll be back with ya soon.
Peace.
Posted By Fobner @ 8:37 AM | Comments: 0 |
| Thursday, September 27th, 2007
Deep, like a boot
"It seems decorating was a senseless idea when only the blind lonely prince resides here. We dine on a balanced diet; ego when it’s loud and self- hatred when it’s quiet. Kindly watch your step- because the silence isn't finished being awkward – yet."
Posted By Fobner @ 12:21 PM | Comments: 0 |
| Wednesday, January 31st, 2007
testing, testing, 1..2...3..
So I'm looking at my iSOUND site and see there's been no blog update since last month!
For shame, for shame... what if there was one person out there in the world... one lonely, desperately lonely, dejected person that was counting on me (ME!) to write something entertaining and give meaning to their otherwise pointless day??? what if??? It'd be all my fault. That's what.
Actually, there is one loyal reader out there, but she's neither desperate nor lonely. Just quietly awsome.
I was hoping to eventually write something that could appear on the iSOUND main page. So we have to keep it neutral... no panhandling! and, I assume, we'll keep the vulgarity to a bare minimum...
hmmmm... what to write about? politics? religion? the price of gas? how about teen pregnancy?.. nah, I'm staying in tonight.
I could take a controversial point of view... EVERYTHING YOU BELIEVE IN IS WRONG. ONLY I KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU. GIVE UP YOUR FREE WILL AND FOLLOW ME EXCLUSIVELY....
I could pander to popular opinion.. THE WAR IN IRAQ IS WRONG, SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, FIX THE ECONONMY, WE DEMAND BETTER HEALTHCARE...
I wouldn't expect people to buy it.
If I were still in high school, it would be just about now that I'd be taking some mind altering substance and justifying my lack of effort by pointing at my parents. I'm not.
In my twenties, I occupied myself with shallow relationships confusing quantity with quality. A man-ho, I suppose.
I spent my 30's trying to find a career. A bit of a late start by anybody's standards. I'm lucky I'm not homeless!
So what have I learned? how to sum up a lifetime? ladies and gents, it's all in the goals. You have to have something you're working towards... it's the only motivation that actually gets you out of bed in the mornings. If you haven't got a goal, you already know what I mean!
I've been teaching this to my son. Ahhh.. he's the very light of my life!
He's 14 and has a goal. A big dream.
I know, I know... that'll change. Probably a hundred times. The important part is that he sets goals. You can too.
I can too.
It doesn't matter how lofty or how insignificant... set a goal and map a path to it. From here to there. Then start working on it.
If the goal changes, so what?!?! map a new goal and start on that. What's the worst that could happen? you end up happy? You'll never regret trying.
My goal is to get some sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I work on my sainthood. Gonna walk dogs for cancer patients. That oughta get me a few brownie points with the Big Guy. Just gotta figure out that "miracle from beyond the grave" thing and I'm in like Flynn.
Peace.
Posted By Fobner @ 12:10 AM | Comments: 7 |
| Wednesday, December 27th, 2006
New Web Site Info
Hey everyone, just to let you all know...
GMP has a new myspace web site.
You can find it here:
http://www.myspace.com/grantmichaelsproject
Check it out, and thanks if you do.
It's brand new and still under construction. We'll add songs soon as well as more pics and info about upcoming shows.
Peace!
Posted By Fobner @ 9:35 AM | Comments: 0 |
| Tuesday, December 26th, 2006
stuffing anyone?
And it's all nearly behind us now.
Overall, I'd have to say it was a pretty good holiday season. Did all the gifts, the fam thing, the dinners, et al.
I know my son made out like a bandit!
Got to spend a little quality time with my favorite noise machine over at the rehersal studio over the holidays.
Thanks to everyone for the cards and gifts.
Of course, my doctor says I have a malfunctioning social conscience and a lack of moral fibre... so I was pretty much the only one that showed up empty handed.
Sorry 'bout that. Not an indication that I love anyone any less... but I always blow the family fortune on my boy. Can't help but spoil him every year!
Took my first stab at cookin the bird this year. Actually worked out pretty good. Had some friends come over along with my Grandad (86yrs old and still kickin!)... made for a house full which is always a good thing this time of year. The more, the merrier.
Huge feast. All the trimmins'. Grandad dozed off on the couch for a bit then we got him home. A success by anyone's calculation.
Was a little tougher with the sisters and parents. We're minus a couple of souls from where we were at this time last year. And the happiest time of the year can't help but be a reminder of who's missing it.
The kids had the time of their lives (as they do each and every year!). Each helping Grampa play Santa and hand out the gifts. Stopping only long enough to tear into their own.
The memorable moment goes to my nephew Stephen. He's vertically challenged compared to some... and was the recipient of a snowboard this year. Of course, a wrapped snowboard stands a good foot and a half taller than him.
Poor kid was so excited to have a gift bigger than him, it didn't occur to him to lay it down on the floor to open it... he dragged in a kitchen chair and climbed up on that so he could reach the top of the gift. A good handful of wrapping paper and he leaped off the chair, bringing down the paper with him. Was hillarious to watch.
My brother-in-law, the avid (and self-described "expert") fisherman received his very own Bart Simpson/Blinky The Fish rod/reel combo set. Complete with detailed instructions of how to cast and a miniature Blinky weight to practice with.
Take yourself too seriously around my hood, and we'll bring you down a peg or three!
Being a musician, I was fortunate to receive a lump of coal and a bottle of CC in the old stocking. Make up your mind Kringle... or was the coal from the reindeer??? hmmmmmm
When all was said and done, we all walked away with a month supply of turkey sandwiches and a carload of sleeping children. Was really great.
Got a little rehersal in there with the guys. And managed to work a bit on a song that's really got me stumped for being as simple as it should be. Been having trouble coming up with something original AND good for 12-bar-blues... I should turn in my pic and hang my head in shame... I know, I know...
Thanks for the disk C-doll, I'm loving it. You can have it back next Friday. But I'm keeping a copy on my puter! That stuff's freakin awsome!
Peace to everyone else. Hope your holiday was as Norman Rockwell as you wanted it to be.
... and to all, a good night!
Posted By Fobner @ 10:58 PM | Comments: 0 |
| Friday, December 22nd, 2006
And a bottle of rum...
Merry ho-ho for all of you Christians.
Happy holidays for everyone that's not...
And if you're not Christian, don't feel left out... we can throw you to the lions too! we don't discriminate around the noise factory. We feed everyone to the lions.
Christmas time in the Hammer... can there be anything more peaceful and heartwarming??? ya, pretty much anything would do!
Hamilton is just about as heartwarming as a rectal gerbiloscopy. Without lube.
anyway..... (shudder).....
Did all the shopping, blew the family fortune. Got the tree, did the decorating. Broke out the magic box of family heirloom ornaments... check.
Bought a bird, cleaned the house, wrapped some gifts, ...
I think we're just about there. Somebody sober me up when it's over...
Had a false start to rehearsal this week. Wild Bill didn't make it. Was all good tho... Grant and I got to spend a little time working out a riff for a new tune. Having trouble hearing what should be a classic rock scale to put behind 12-bar-blues. It's there... like you can almost hear it... you'll know it when you do.... but none of the classic scales fit quite right. Need some shaping, a little moulding. Gonna be killa tho. C-Mac-D said so. And nobody knows better than she does. She's been our number one fan from the start.
At first, "number one" was as far as you got counting heads in the audience... but now, it means she's been there the longest and strongest.
Thanks C-dizzle. Always got our backs. Now you have to SING! (insert evil laugh here....)
Lookin forward to the whole new year thing. I think we're hosting a little shin-dig at the studio. Gonna make some noise, make a few toasts, roll a few over-indulgent fans out the back door. All in the name of Rock'n'roll. Sweeeet.
Swung by the Underground last weekend. Disappointed as hell to miss the all-girl hard-core punk band Pantichrist. Keep hearing their stuff online. Never caught them live.
Did manage to run into Thunderfuck and The Deadly Romantics. Just might be the hardest-working guys in the biz right now. The guitarist has 2 other bands. Jams 6 nights per week. Drives a truck and does construction on the side.
The drummer has this thing where he just passes out for no reason.... we wish him well.
For any issues, you'd never know it. Here's a bunch of guys that just plug Les Paul's into Marshalls and play the loudest, most aggressive racket I've heard in a long time.
Talk about getting out your pent up aggression on stage! Holy crap!
They put on a hell of a show. There's no debate.
Looking forward to tonight. The last jam before Christmas. Gonna roll some change and try to pick up some booze. Offer my friends a shot or two. You know, in lieu of a gift! (HEY! I'm a MUSICIAN... of course I'm broke! Don't look so suprised)
I'm soooo friggin tired today! was up till the crack of whatever talking jooles back from the edge. She's got the christmas blues and got 'em bad. She oughta try writing songs... hmmmm.
It's alright tho... a little company, a big shoulder, a little pep talk, and she's back in the game. You go girl. It's 4th and 10. 1 minute to go... see you at the kegger!
Well then, now that I've rambled as long as I could think to... I suppose I better get back to work and make it look like I'm earning this paycheck. Your tax dollars, hard at work... mwah-ha-ha-ha.
peace in da hood y'all. Hairy Mistress.
And Santa, if you're reading this... you twisted, sick, freakin elf... keep that queer reindeer of yours (you know who I mean) away from my dog or next year, hunting season is coming early.
ho-ho-ho
(what'd you call me?)
Posted By Fobner @ 8:01 AM | Comments: 0 |
| Thursday, December 14th, 2006
The Loyal Readership
Imagine that... someone actually read one of my rantings! Gosh, I feel all, I dunno.... violated... but in a good way!
Thanks! Never doubt it was good for me!
In other news... finally got the tins back for the bike. We're good to start reassembly once the brakes are on. It looks incredible too! Stevie, you do awsome work bud. Thanks a zil...
Up here in the 'Hammer, the snow is already melting but don't let it fool you. If you don't like the weather in Hamilton, just give it a few minutes, it'll change for ya.
Days like this I can handle. A little grey but still good for outdoor activities. Speaking of which, I should give her a call.. hmmmmmm
Under the "stalking and general harassment" category, we've been officially Nancy-free for 91 days now. Still counting too!
Ladies, a bit of advice.. we're a rock band. We love you all, we're just not IN LOVE with you all! Really, it's not you, it's us. We're just coming out of a bad thing and don't want to get involved right away... you know how it is.
Under the "Fam, Fun and FUBAR" category; got a tree yesterday. The Grantster and I went out to the woods, cut down a young tree, dragged it thru the mud and weeds back to the cave, stuck it in a plasic/metal stand and put it on display in my living room. Got to love being a naturalist! I hear there's a combo of laundry detergent with boiling water that makes realistic looking snow.. maybe I'll hang out in the lab this weekend proving that theory. What's the worst that could happen??
To my unwavering fan and sole supporter:
I love ya honey. You're the straight goods. You've always put way more stock in me than I do! Thanks for always having my back.
This is my holiday message of Peace to everyone;
Whether you're christian, jewish, hindoo, muslim or devoutly atheist:
Here's hoping we all get a piece this year!
SALUT
Posted By Fobner @ 7:33 AM | Comments: 0 |
| Wednesday, December 13th, 2006
Rockin the Casbah
What a night! Friday, Dec 1.
We played the Casbah here in Hamilton, Ontario (that's Canada, to the rest of the world). Stage-time, 10:00pm. We were supposed to be the 2nd of 4 bands for the night.
Suprise, suprise! we were actually the headliner. And only 2 of the other acts showed.
LOVED Thunderfuck and The Deadly Romantics. Wow.. talk about an assault on the senses! These guys are hardcore. With a name like that, they have alot to live up to and boy, did they! The place came unglued. It looked like a bike club rolled onto the stage with a bunch of Marshalls and Les Pauls. Great songs, great sound.
We hit the plywood around midnight. Got 2 hours of hard-rockin. The place was packed! Awsome crowd. They were totally into the tunes. The band had the best synergy I've ever experienced with them. We kept in constant view of one another, good communication, everyone knew what was coming and when. All of the practice and rehersals just summed up and suddenly became worthwhile. Shit we never hit, we NAILED. I couldn't be happier or more proud of my bandmates.
This is what it's like to work with professional entertainers.
We had some dancers in the crowd. They pushed back some tables and got jiggy on the floor. Gotta love them perky young blondes!
Jamie, Honey, you'll always be my favorite! You're Amazon honey... only woman that ever looked me in the eye! lol
The finale was Garbage Man. I thought the crowd was as wild as they could be but I was wrong! they snapped! What a rush!
They called us up for an encore and we did a little diddy by Teenage Head called Disgusteen. MOSH PIT! roflmao.
It was one of only 2 covers we did that night and it was off the hook. The crowd rushed the stage. People falling over the monitors trying to get a piece!
At one point, Grant hits a great feedback on the Ibanez, he puts the guitar down against the amp and controls the feedback with a footswitch. Looked unbelieveable. He's standing at the mic whipping the crowd into a frenzy, the axe is behind him, but still wailing.
He finishes with the crowd, grabs the axe and solo's to the outro. A musical orgasm that should be on stage at a coliseum. The crowd was spent, we were spent, everyone had a good time. Mission accomplished.
Until next time... can't wait to Set Up Another.
peace.
Posted By Fobner @ 7:46 AM | Comments: 0 |
| Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006
Just warming up
Can you believe we've got sun and warmth in November in Hamilton Ontario??
Nice!
Being this close to the north pole, and only having tundra to eat, we're sure happy to have the snow melt down a bit before we bring in the ice crop! eh?
Been a great week up here too... lots done at home for a change. I'm thinkin it's time to book some time off from work so I can finish winterproofing the house. Lots to do there still.
I'm gonna try to learn to cook a turkey this year. They tell me it's easy, but I wouldn't put it past me to mess it up anyway. Either way, one of us is eating good this year... me or the dog!
I always say "I have the thumbs, I'll make the decisions around here!".
The dog always says "woof woof! bark, bark, bark... grrrrrrrrrr WOOF!"
Sure, he sounds like he knows what he'd doing, but what does it all MEAN?????
Nap time for one of us... and I'm pretty sure it's me.
Later
Posted By Fobner @ 12:21 PM | Comments: 0 |
| Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
twenty dollars, same as in town..
Ever have one of THOSE days? I'm sure we all do... the potential for hazard is off the chart!
I drove for miles and miles to attend a meeting, napped thru most of it, then drove miles and miles back to the office.
And here I sit, staring at the monitor so demotivated that I think maybe I'll just call it a day and make a fresh start tomorrow.
That usually works, right? RIGHT????
Stopped by to work a bit on the bike yesterday... got the pinstripes off and sanded much of the paint. Picked up a couple of quarts of primer too. Starting to get excited to see the "new" bike when it's done. Hoping to start reassembly before Christmas.
Speaking of which.... are we all done shopping?? what am I saying?.. a bunch of musicians... we'll see each other out there on Christmas eve knocking on convenience store windows begging the owners to let us in.. "I know what I want, I'll be fast!!!" will be the battle cry.
I should check to see if that drummer is still living behind my couch. Get him a nice new area rug or something.
Wishing everyone a Hairy Mistress and a slap happy new year. Up here in Holywood North, we're a sturdy bunch. We'll probably just BBQ a cat and wear its skin to keep warm (at least for a couple hours).
ho-ho-ho
Posted By Fobner @ 3:02 PM | Comments: 0 |
| Wednesday, November 8th, 2006
November rains
Ahhh.. the fall. We're just a little past hallowe'en now. The kids are fattened and nicely subdued until the next big holiday meal... do we want to say it yet?? I think not.
In Southern Ontario, leaves are finally hitting the ground. Love that smell. Smells like fall and that's my fav season.
Got the bike tucked away now.. gonna change the color and perform some routine maintenance before spring. You gotta have a hobby Friend.
Been writing and playing, and just horsing around. Things are momentarily quiet at the noise factory. Back to the tracks this weekend, but for now.. a cold Canadian beer, some football and the quiet contemplation of that hot little number in HR and the tartan skirt she described in such detail that it completely ruined me for work this afternoon. Thanks Liz, you absolutely rock my dear.
I wonder if she's musically inclined too??
Got me wishing for things I can't have, and from the smile on her face, that's just what she had in mind.
Peace
Posted By Fobner @ 3:19 PM | Comments: 0 |
| Friday, October 13th, 2006
And the beat goes on...
It's Friday the 13th. And, if you live anywhere near Southern Ontario, that means it's time to saddle up and ride for Port Dover.
Every F/13th, tens of thousands of bikers from all over creation make the pilgrimage down Highway 6 to a small town on Lake Erie called Port Dover.
We hit the coffee shop, stroll around and check out each other's bikes. Some beautiful customs and classics. All shined, restored, repainted, and put on display.
It's snowing a bit today (first of the year) mixed with a little rain. Only the hardcore get to Dover on a day like this. And that's still thousands.
Back at the noise factory, our band finished another song. Look for Soul Killer to be posted on our iSound page in the next few days.
We're really happy with it. The vocal is outstanding.
You can link thru my profile if you're interested and thanks if you do.
We're talking to some "people" about a fresh tour. So far, talk is cheap.
The songs keep coming, the fun keeps building, the ladies are all young, fit, uplifted and pointed in our general direction.
Contracts, tour dates, record deals,... that's all gravy. We're in it for the girls. And we love what we do.
Hope your own Friday the 13th proves lucky. Pet a black cat under a ladder in front of a broken mirror if you like, but REMEMBER... it's bad luck to be superstitious!
peace.
Posted By Fobner @ 12:40 PM | Comments: 0 |
| Wednesday, October 11th, 2006
2nd blog in a week, a new record!
I don't usually update blogs or anything like that regularly. Partly because I don't think of it, mostly because I can't imagine anyone being interested in anything I have to say!
But I do like to rant about things I have no qualified opinion of, and I'm just egotistical enough to put it out there where other people may stumble across it.
I've been checking out some of the indy music here. WOW! That's humbling!
I thought our band (Grant Michaels Project) would rule the world, but man... if Olinda Cordova hasn't gone platinum yet... what does it take!?!?!?
I'm diggin tunes from James Hammontree and Local Stranger too. Check 'em out if your ears are due for a treat.
Raining like hell in the Hammer today. Keeping the Harley wishin'. I'm gonna jump in the FAMILY CAR (ewwwwww) and roll over to the studio for the evening. Stay tuned... new song to post real soon. A Jimi-Hendrix-on-ex kinda thing called Soul Killer. You'll love it.
Peace.
Posted By Fobner @ 5:35 PM | Comments: 0 |
| Sunday, October 8th, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving
Don't know if anyone's reading but...
It's Thanksgiving weekend in the Great White North. Gonna burn us up a bird and make nice with the fam sometime before heading back to work on Tuesday.
Hit the Rocktons World Fair yesterday, took my son up in the helicopter. Awsome view... hey man, I can see yer house from here!
Today is all about the Harley. Got a trip from Hamilton to London and all points in between. Nothing finer than hittin the highway with my good bud (and drummer extraordinaire) Mr. Bill Deadman. You can see more of him and our little noise factory at isound.com/grant_micheals_project/
It's early Sunday, gotta get the shine on the chrome and point her down the blacktop.
Later gaters. Keep the shiny side up!
Posted By Fobner @ 7:46 AM | Comments: 0 |
|
|
|
Facebook
Twitter
