Happy Halloween!
Check out these cool Van Halen pumpkins.
Category: Guitar
Viral Royal Wedding Video
I am guessing this is not how the Royal Wedding actually went down. Amazing how much some of these actors look like the Royals. Enjoy!
If you need anything regarding your wedding music please contact me, Mike.
Mike check:
My Last Wedding of the Season, A San Diego Guitarist Wedding Blog
October means two things to me as a guitarist. First, believe it or not October is usually my busiest month for weddings. A fitting punctuation as it is also the ‘end’ of the ‘wedding season.’
Although I play weddings year round April through October are the months I am busiest performing for couple’s big day. I am still not sure why October is the busiest, but it is! And yes, I have even done Halloween Weddings, and no, they were not holiday themed…just regular ol’ weddings!
With October coming to a close, this past weekend marked the end of my wedding season. I played a new venue, to me, and one I thought was really cool! It is called LevyLand. The venue is just a house, like a typical summer rental, in Carlsbad, CA. But just a house does not do it justice. It is a really nice house in a really nice area near the beach in the San Diego area, with a great garden for hosting events, such as, weddings.
A great wedding, great people…a great way to end my 2012 wedding season. This was also special because the bride was a former student of mine. I am always honored when former students and clients keep me in mind for their music needs.
Best to K n R! Thanks for having me out to play for you!
Now time to gear up for Holiday Events, student recordings, a few weddings and whatever music comes my way until 2013 wedding season!
Click for previous wedding posts.
Met some great vendors as well:
Mike check:
Making a Halloween Music Playlist? Deviate From the Norm!
Happy Halloween Week everyone! Always one of my favorite holidays.
Are you one of those people who loves to make a playlist for your Halloween parties or to scare trick or treaters as they come hit you up for their Snickers fix?
Well if so this post is for you, and for those of you looking to treat your ears to some new music, as well.
Year after year we hear the same ol’ Halloween standards….Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” “The Monster Mash,” “One Eyed One Horned Purple People Eater” as festive, quirky pop tunes. Then there is the sophisticated setlisters who employ classical music. Pieces like; Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D min,” Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mtn. King” and Orff’s “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana.
Lets ‘Deviate from the Norm’ this year….to borrow a line from Rush’s Geddy Lee and Neil Peart. Here are a few ideas that are not quite as trendy but every bit as scary and quirky. Add some of these tunes to your Halloween Ipod playlist and you will be the coolest ‘evil’ DJ this side of Transylvania.
Scary
Everyone and their mother uses the theme from the Twilight Zone or Michael Myers Halloween movies.
Here is a modern take on the horror theme song genre. Try the end credits from Dexter…you know the serial killer who kills serial killers. Very haunting melody. The version here unlike the show has an extended drumtrack mix through the second part.
Quirky
How this song hasn’t become a Halloween classic I’ll never know. The Who’s tale of a creepy crawly spider named Boris is a great replacement for the overplayed “Monster Mash.”
Megadeth’s, “I Ain’t Superstitious” is a can’t miss, as well.
Rock Tunes
Any of the following would make a perfect addition to your playlist;
Black Sabbath…The demonic Metalers were masters of the tri-tone and chromatic power chord songs.
I would recommend “Black Sabbath” or “Electric Funeral” if you want heavy metal with a dark tinge but their super studio effected intro to the “Mob Rules,” entitled “E5150” will scare the kids right off your porch.
Most people when they think of Van Halen think great guitar but not so much spooky sounds. Eddie, however, had a few tricks up his sleeve. Check out “Tora Tora/Loss Control,” “Intruder” and the prepared piano piece “Strung Out.” All would add a little edge to your Goul-list. My Van Halen pick, however, goes to the synth based “Sunday Afternoon in the Park.”
Classical
I hesitate to put these pieces on this list because they are ‘real’ music written by ‘real’ composers but not for the purpose of being dark, scary and Halloweenish where as the rock tunes above were. These are composers who have experimented with sound systems, emotions and humanity for much deeper reasons than being background for a bunch of frat boys in costumes drinking as much beer as they can on Halloween. That said I am here for you! I am here to offer you some new sounds and that is what I am going to do.
Charles Ives, “Hallowe’en”
Schoenberg, “Pierrot Lunaire”
Bartok, “String Quartet #4, 5th Movement”
Check back next year for a new list.
Related articles;
Perfect Pumpkins, A Halloween Song
The Bride of Frankenstein, Artwork
What Good is Halloween Without Candy Apples
Mike check:
It Takes a Village…?
…At least that is what they say. Anyway, I am always happy and proud to share support (links or ?) of others who are passionate about their craft!
Here are a few folks who have linked or promoted my website and now its my chance to pay it forward. Thanks everyone!!
Been having fun chatting regularly with a few fellow music bloggers. Mixolydianblog for all things music focusing on composition, ethnomusicology and of course a love of the GUITAR! Heavy Metal Overload A great read for all types of music, as well as, Heavy Metal. Last but not least Zombiemisntrel another comprehensive music blog also leaning towards rock and metal!
A wedding photographer from the Philippines shared my blog post Ten Tips for Planning Wedding Music
An arts magazine called Yareah shared my blog Dodecaphonic Sudoku
Right to Bitch a new blog to me, shared John Bonham 32 Years Missed Check out his blog regarding Bonham’s influence on him as a young drummer. Funny guy!
A local San Diego photographer Nathan Petty …thanks for keeping in touch!
Sharing is caring! If I missed anyone feel free to remind me…I’m always glad to network with like minded people out there working hard at their creative endeavors!
Mike
Mike check:
I See the Evening Star Rise Up, Shining Out On Me- Peace to a Fallen Friend!
Today is the Celebration of Life for a fallen bro, much too young. I’m honored to be asked to play guitar for the event. Thoughts to Patrick, Tiffanie, PJ and all family and friends who his light touched.
Peace Jim!
I’m home once more, much better for
The things that I have found
Much wiser now, so simple how
Each time I turn around
I see the evening star rise up
Shining out on me
And now I understand at last what it means
What it all means
Mike check:
Chuck Berry, Rock & Roll’s First Guitar Hero is 86!
You can’t be a guitar aficionado and not at least have an appreciation for Chuck Berry. The man is the first true rock n roll guitar hero! The duck-walk, the hairstyle and of course the, “Johnny B. Good,” guitar riff, one of the most popular and influential in rock n roll history!
Chuck Berry the energized rocker is 86!! That is crazy but so glad he is still around. He is definitely on my list of must see live performers…hopefully I will still get a chance. He is said to still play a club in St. Louis regularly.
Happy Birthday Chuck Berry, here’s to many more joyful guitar playing years before you!
Watch both the classic version and see the influence he had years later making his way into this classic clip from, “Back to the Future,” where Michael J. Fox introduces the 50’s to Chuck Berry before… Chuck Berry.
Mike check:
MLB 2012 Postseason, Metal Edition
Alright we are one round into the MLB Postseason schedule. I guess two rounds if you consider the new Wild Card game a round. Thought I would weigh in with another music/sports blog. Those who read my blog regularly know two of my favorite things are music and sports and I enjoy wedding the two together when I can.
Here are some thoughts and predictions on the playoff teams.
Starting with the NL & AL Division Series
Giants v Reds
San Francisco Giants– Skin O’ My Teeth, Megadeth
The Giants did get past the Reds but had to do it in dramatic fashion. Losing the first two games at home and then sweeping the Reds in Cincinnati was no small feat, but, they barely hit and need to be careful or they will be home sitting on the skin of their behinds!
Cincinnati Reds– Red Road, Slavior
Unfortunately for the Reds the road they hit was a dead end. Ouch, tough way to end a season losing three straight playoff games at home. Latos proved why San Diego Padre fans are glad he was traded, losing his cool and the game in the series finale. I thought pitchers stopped crying after the age of 12.
Cardinals v Nationals
St. Louis Cardinals- Another Hit and Run, Def Leppard
Yes, Def Leppard was a Heavy Metal band at one time. The never say die Cardinals did it again. This time totally deflating the Nationals and their fans in the 9th inning of game five of the NLDS.
Washington Nationals–Bang Your Head(Metal Health), Quiet Riot
If you are a Nats fan you have to be hitting your head against the wall wondering what happened. And how in the world could they shut down their best pitcher makes no sense! Kind of like dating a supermodel but you can’t touch her…what’s the point?
A’s v Tigers
Oakland A’s–Green Manalishi, Judas Priest
The A’s were a beast this year catching and overtaking the mighty Texas Rangers. Too bad such a great season came to a screeching halt.
Detroit Tigers–Hell Cat(s), Scorpions
Triple crown threat, these Tigers are looking good… now to slay the dreaded Yankees.
Orioles v Yankees
Baltimore Orioles–Seduction of a Birds Folly, Against the Natural
Even the Yankee fans are sick of the Yankees and wanted to see the Orioles win. New blood needed. Orioles players, much like the band Against the Natural are not well known but both kick butt!
New York Yankees –On and On, Michael Schenker Group
It just goes on and on for the Yankees. Baseball is not better with them in the playoffs every year. I am suddenly a huge Tigers fan.
NLCS & ALCS Predictions
Giants v Cardinals
San Fransisco Giants–Home Sweet Home, Motley Crue
The Giants have to play better at home than they have of late or they are going home early. Giants are kind of the Padres north so I have to root for them. Here is a trivia questions for you sports fans. Who is the only person to be on the field in uniform for ALL five of the Padres playoff seasons? See answer below.
St. Louis Cardinals–Flying High Again-Ozzy Osbourne
They won it all last year and are poised to do it again even without Albert Pujols.
Prediction-Giants Win
Tigers v Yankees
Detroit Tigers–Die With Your Boots On, Iron Maiden
The country depends on you to knock out the Yankees. It will be tough though and if they’re gonna die, die with your boots on!
New York Yankees–Sad But True, Metallica
Yes the Yankees are deep into the postseason again. Anyone else sick of them yet? Sad but true they will most likely beat the Tigers and head to their 5,000th World Series, bla, bla, bla!
Prediction-Yankees Win
World Series 2012
The Fall Classic comes down to Giants v Yankees in my opinion.
Musical selection for this match up…. Into the Void, Black Sabbath. Who ever wins, baseball fans will be thrown into the void for the winter. At least we have the NFL!
Prediction-Giants Win
Trivia answer Bruce Bochy was a player in 1984 and Manger in 96, 98, 2005 & 2006. Tony Gwynn was a player in 1984, 96 and 98 but not around for the last two playoff teams.
Mike check:
The Elusive Daring, Crazy, Adventurous Wedding Ceremony- A San Diego Wedding Guiarist Blog
I have been playing guitar for weddings for a long time. I have played a lot of traditional weddings and quite a few unique ones. I’ve played everything from Here Comes the Bride to Metallica. However, I am a little shocked that I haven’t had the opportunity to play a down right crazy wedding yet.
You always hear about couples getting married in ‘odd’ places; football games, NASCAR events, scuba diving, hot air balloons, etc., you get the idea. There are lots of people who just like to be different…really different. 20 plus years of playing guitar for weddings I am yet to play one of these unique ceremonies.
I’ve always pictured an adventurous couple where the bride and groom enter on zip lines or repel down the side of a building and I get to play something like the theme from Mission Impossible. Maybe even on electric guitar with effects.
I did play “Wipeout,” for one of my good friend’s wedding, an avid surfer, as he and the guys walked up to the altar. It was a quick and fitting entrance but just a quick playful joke. Kind of like when the groomsman all pretend they’ve lost the wedding rings.
I’ve mentioned before on this blog that I enjoy playing all types of weddings. I really do! Each one is different, challenging and fun to play.
That said…This is an open invitation for any of you daring, crazy, adventurous couples to hire a guitarist who is on board with you! I would love to have just one wedding where all bets are off. Scuba dive(I am certified), a flash mob, a “Punked” moment for your guests, your call! The crazier the better(although legal is a good idea)! We can collaborate and choreograph the music to fit your idea!
Mike check:
I am Not a Wedding Singer!- A San Diego Wedding Guitarist Blog
Adam Sandler’s movie, “The Wedding Singer,” was hilarious. It followed Robbie Hart a disgruntled musician whose dream of becoming a rock star falls through and he ends up singing at weddings. He became a burned out, bitter, resentful musician, who had to play weddings. He had to play the part of the ‘Wedding Singer’ to entertain the crowds, young and old and all in between.
Thankfully, my career is much different!! Everyday I wake up and have a chance to share music with others it’s a great day, whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event, a concert, a class, a rehearsal, etc. I am truly fortunate to be a working musician. Honestly, I don’t even do the same ‘job’ as Sandler’s character. I usually play the ceremony, cocktail hour and receptions when folks don’t want the over the top wedding band or DJ. The Wedding Singer was definitely over the top!
There is one similarity between me and the character, however, I thought I was going to be a rock star too. Once I heard Eddie Van Halen when I was a kid that was it, I knew what I wanted to do. My musical path since has followed the saying, “Life is what happens while you are making other plans.”
Somewhere down the line I realized that I REALLY wanted to be a musician first and rock star second. Then I realized I wanted to be a musician first, make a living in my field and be a rock star 3rd. Not til I got older I realized, I just always wanted to be a musician. Rock music will always be a part of who I am but not what I am. Having studied classical, jazz and world music among other disciplines in college I get to work in any style I want and get the same energy I did as a kid trying to be the next guitar hero.
There are some of my old friends who are still living the rock star dream. They tour the world, hang out with famous musicians we grew up idolizing and have tons of fans following them on Facebook and MySpace. More power to them! I love to hear their stories when we get together. Funny thing is they love to hear about what I am doing too!
Everyday, I get to do some combination of play, perform, teach, compose, listen to, write about, record, study, absorb, eat, drink and sleep music! I get to make a living in a tough field in my native San Diego. Life is good!
Click here for more info on planning your wedding music. Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 