Category Archives: Music

Les Paul

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Dan

Les Paul died today, at the age of 94. Gibson’s announcement is as nice a retrospective as any. I actually had him in a death pool, and he’s the only guy on the list I was not looking forward to … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar | Leave a comment

How not to sell me a guitar

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Dan

Since I have no good guitar store near me on the Peninsula (no, B Street does not count), going to Guitar Center is always something of a treat. I was visiting friends in the East Bay on Saturday, and those … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar | 5 Comments

Supergroups for summer

Posted on June 14, 2009 by Dan

Looking at the albums and tours of the summer, there’s not much that interests me, I’m afraid. Spinal Tap releases a new album this coming Tuesday, which is not just the musical highlight of my summer but possibly of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 6 Comments

Palette-Swap success, internet style

Posted on June 5, 2009 by Dan

Last Friday Palette-Swap Ninja released a new song, “Learn to Spell.” It’s a parody of All-American Rejects’ “Gives You Hell” and it’s about people who post on gaming forums with limited verbal capacities. I was really busy and forgot to … Continue reading →

Posted in Geek, Palette-Swap Ninja | Leave a comment

Amelia

Posted on May 23, 2009 by Dan

In high school, I told my parents I wanted to learn how to play guitar. Of course, that means getting a guitar — but they called my bluff and said “use your sister’s.” It was a nylon-string folk guitar by … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar | 6 Comments

Dan vs. The POD xt Live Squeak

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Dan

My repair history is spotty. Taking things apart, I’m an ace. Making them work the same, if not better, afterwards? Not so much. But when the volume/wah pedal on my POD xt Live started sticking and making a horrible squeak, … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar | 3 Comments

Fleabass

Posted on April 25, 2009 by Dan

Spotted this in a recent issue of Guitarist, my favorite UK guitar mag: Flea is starting his own company, Fleabass, to produce bass guitars for his students. He runs a music conservatory, trying to pick up where public school music … Continue reading →

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Another new PSwap track

Posted on April 11, 2009 by Dan

Where have I been? I usually blog on or near the weekends, but lately all my weekends have been spent doing musical stuff. I’m writing my own songs, I’m getting ready for a public performance next month (nothing major, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Geek, Music, Palette-Swap Ninja | 2 Comments

“Coffeehouse Girl”

Posted on March 22, 2009 by Dan

You know, after I thought about that last post, I realized Chris Mitra is kind of to blame for all this. I asked him several years ago if he wanted to form a cover band and he politely declined, saying … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 4 Comments

The Ballad of Songwriting