If I played an instrument then between that, writing, and photography, I don’t think I’d ever have time to work! I love music, but aside of learning three cords on the guitar, I never really learned how to play an instrument. I keep telling myself to buy a guitar and take that up again, and maybe one day I will.
I actually wanted to learn how to play the bass guitar, but my music teacher told me I had to learn the six string first. They misunderstood my intentions though. I didn’t really want to learn how to play the guitar so I could make music. No, I wanted to play the easiest instrument possible that would allow me to join a band and enjoy all the ‘benefits’ that go with being cool and in a band!
After watching Adam Clayton from U2 I decided that being a bass player was just the ticket. I could grow my hair long, stand on stage, pluck a few easy baselines, bob my head back and forth like they do, and just be wickedly cool. The fame, the girls, and the fortune would be mine with two strings less effort than the guy who played lead. A master plan!
In the end though, I never got to learn bass, never got to amass a personal fortune or enjoy international celebrity, and girls… well, a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.
Had I taken up the musical keyboard rather than the computer keyboard, then I might have produced material not unlike that featured in the video below. The music and video are the creations of a Brit by the name of Clive Booth working under the name ‘Ribside’.
Now, while the music might not be to your taste, I enjoyed the video because it has a quirky unassuming quality to it. Looking out across a very uninspiring yard to a gate as leaves blow around in the wind, somehow the whole scene takes on another feel.
As I watched the video I found myself willing Clive to hit a few more keys and funk it up a little. But nonetheless as the music played I sat there bobbing my head in a fashion not dissimilar to the base player I never was.
The track is called ‘All With Immaculate Teeth’ and you can see/read/hear more from Ribside at ribside.com
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Wrote the following comment on Jan 23, 2007 at 10:42 am
Cheers Simon, I’m flattered.
Incidentally, the vocals from a track on Dirk Bogarde’s 1960’s album ‘Lyrics For Lovers’ and the drums are sampled from the classic ‘Swollen’ by Bent.
I must state, having read the previous sentance, I am a happily married man with three kids and red blood :o)
Wrote the following comment on Jan 23, 2007 at 4:42 pm
i like the backyard scenary…
What I hear you saying is that photography and writing doesnt bring the ladies running… hmmm… maybe you should start writing sonnets.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 23, 2007 at 4:47 pm
You misunderstood me Rachel ;-)
I updated that line so it reads a little clearer now. But one has to be careful what one writes in such terms, doesn’t one. :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jan 23, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Gentleman, LOL :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jan 23, 2007 at 9:06 pm
If only Pauly Shore was known in the UK I could have made some money there being a double, albeit a very bad double. But then I’ve seen a few doubles that don’t look anything like who they’re supposed to be so I think I could have made some cash. Ah well.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 24, 2007 at 3:48 pm
it took me a second to realize the guy in that picture is you! whoa!
alright for us curly-haired people.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 25, 2007 at 12:14 am
I’ll be back to visit Simon’s blog pretty regularly now, but in the meantime, please consider a visit to iTunes and maybe purchase my 1st ever commercial release (after 3 decades of involvement in music/bands).
Please search the iTunes Store for ‘Mebt’ or ‘Ribside’ as part of WLM’s Electronic Bible – Chapter 3 and buy. I’d be delighted…. (there’s a popularity/ranking system there, ayez :o)
p.s: Simon…. please also check out my most recent video on http://www.myspace.com/ribside
Produced and directed by Robert Walker at Culture Code. It’s mental… and no offence to anyone who may have lost a loved one in such a traffic lit roadside raged suicide pact :O)
Wrote the following comment on Jan 25, 2007 at 12:55 am
Watched the recent video too. All good stuff! Reminds me of my uncle Jeff who I lost in a traffic lit roadside raged suicide pact. :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jan 25, 2007 at 2:08 pm
oh shit, I’m sorry Simon.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 25, 2007 at 3:31 pm
LOL!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 25, 2007 at 9:12 pm
you got me….
Wrote the following comment on Apr 29, 2007 at 2:04 am
The video aside Simon, you should try and pick up an instrument again. Once you get over the initial frustration of not being able to play anything it all seems to fall into place quite nicely. You’re right too – once you can play guitar, you can find your way on bass. You’d even be surprised how much of what you learn carries over onto other instruments too.
I know you took the piss out of me for wanting to play the guitar to pick up girls – but it worked :) And as a bonus I played bass in front of a crowd of 2,000 on a hot summer’s day last year at the Newton Music Festival. There’s no buzz like it. Go on, do it today. :)
Wrote the following comment on Apr 29, 2007 at 2:07 am
I’ve actually been looking at getting a six string recently mate, so who knows. As for girls… I’m trying not to feed that monster! :-)
Wrote the following comment on Apr 29, 2007 at 8:59 pm
Well if you need any lessons… :)