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Blogs - Oct. & Nov. 2010
October 4th, 2010 -
No, no, we’re not dead. If we were, we’d have to change our name to The Ron
Zombies. The truth is, I was getting tired of writing the same blog every week, and
I’m sure you thought the blog might have been getting a little repetitive as well. If
you recall, it went something like this:
“Hi Ron Peeps! We love rock! We hope you love rock! Come see our shows! Our
album is coming out 4 months ago!”
Something like that. So I stopped blogging for a few weeks to reset my mind and
let some new news come along. I’ve also been talking with the band about the
blog and we’ve decided to try only blogging every two weeks. This way, we’ll have
more time to think of something more interesting and noteworthy to blog about.
Butts and I are also going to start getting Spence and Austin to write more blogs.
Without their input, you guys only get to see half of the band’s personality (and the
milder half at that).
As for that racklefrakkin’ album, here’s what’s going on. The studio work is done.
Entirely. We have no more need to set foot in the studio. As for the CD packaging,
it’s done. Entirely. Our graphic designer, Robert Conner, has finished all the album
artwork and sent it to us. It’s ready to go to print. The only thing we’re doing now
is we’re looking at getting the CD mastered. We originally weren’t going to master
it, but we want to make sure it sounds AMAZING to you guys. So don’t worry, no
matter what, we’re going to release this album. We’ve come way too far (and
spent way too much money) to not see this through to the end.
And that’s the Ron News. See you again in a couple of weeks!
- Josh Bailey, The Ron Jonsons
No, no, we’re not dead. If we were, we’d have to change our name to The Ron
Zombies. The truth is, I was getting tired of writing the same blog every week, and
I’m sure you thought the blog might have been getting a little repetitive as well. If
you recall, it went something like this:
“Hi Ron Peeps! We love rock! We hope you love rock! Come see our shows! Our
album is coming out 4 months ago!”
Something like that. So I stopped blogging for a few weeks to reset my mind and
let some new news come along. I’ve also been talking with the band about the
blog and we’ve decided to try only blogging every two weeks. This way, we’ll have
more time to think of something more interesting and noteworthy to blog about.
Butts and I are also going to start getting Spence and Austin to write more blogs.
Without their input, you guys only get to see half of the band’s personality (and the
milder half at that).
As for that racklefrakkin’ album, here’s what’s going on. The studio work is done.
Entirely. We have no more need to set foot in the studio. As for the CD packaging,
it’s done. Entirely. Our graphic designer, Robert Conner, has finished all the album
artwork and sent it to us. It’s ready to go to print. The only thing we’re doing now
is we’re looking at getting the CD mastered. We originally weren’t going to master
it, but we want to make sure it sounds AMAZING to you guys. So don’t worry, no
matter what, we’re going to release this album. We’ve come way too far (and
spent way too much money) to not see this through to the end.
And that’s the Ron News. See you again in a couple of weeks!
- Josh Bailey, The Ron Jonsons
| Don't worry, we're not dead. But if we did become The Ron Zombies, this would happen... |
October 15th, 2010 -
I remember back in elementary school, we had a computer lab. The computers
we had then weren't very good, ESPECIALLY by todays standards, but they were
what they were. We played Number Munchers (I still consider it the best game of
all time about eating numbers), and our teacher would tell us about technology.
Well...as much technology a 3rd grader in 1993 could understand. She explainned
one day that there were computers out there that could create music, even
played a small song for us. She said that they could one day replace musicians. I
didn't think much of it till I got to middle school and again, the computer class we
took told us that one day, computers might compose all music. He told us it would
be great- no more mistakes, no more practice, just perfect music.
Well, it's 2010, and where are the robot orchestras (not to mention my flying
car!)? The "music of the future" is dead. I've heard a lot of theories about why.
Some say the software still can't get things right. Others say people don't like it
cause it's "too perfect". I tend to agree with that one. Has anyone ever heard a
symphony of computer music? I've heard it once and it was perfect. Everything
was in time, in tune, flawless. But that's the thing- it was dead. It didn't breathe. I
think in the Age of Autotune, people still want to see musicians and performers be
able to back up what they produce.
Example: let's say Thesaurus Slam releases a cd that blows your mind. You've
never heard such amazing music, every note edges on the not-humanly-possible.
Your favorite song is song #3- let's call it "Frumpy Gerkin". [I seriously just threw
the first 2 words off the top of my head- work with me here!] You go out and buy a
concert ticket and go see them...only to find out that "Frumpy Gerkin" can't be
performed live. Either there were too many studio effects, or most of the
technicality of the song was achieved in editing, for one reason or another the
song can't be played live. Most people would be upset. I would! Despite, or
probably more accurately IN spite of, the technology and advancements in music
production, there is still no substitute for a band going on stage and actually being
able to play what they wrote and recorded. The human element is vital to music-
without it, the music is hollow, dead, fake.
I was taught this lesson when I went and saw Rush in concert. They played
everything just the way it sounded on their cd's. I was blown away. It's not like i
didn't think they could, but actually seeing it happen in person took everything to
another level. It reminded me that music is for people and needs to be made BY
people.
- Michael Butts, The Ron Jonsons
I remember back in elementary school, we had a computer lab. The computers
we had then weren't very good, ESPECIALLY by todays standards, but they were
what they were. We played Number Munchers (I still consider it the best game of
all time about eating numbers), and our teacher would tell us about technology.
Well...as much technology a 3rd grader in 1993 could understand. She explainned
one day that there were computers out there that could create music, even
played a small song for us. She said that they could one day replace musicians. I
didn't think much of it till I got to middle school and again, the computer class we
took told us that one day, computers might compose all music. He told us it would
be great- no more mistakes, no more practice, just perfect music.
Well, it's 2010, and where are the robot orchestras (not to mention my flying
car!)? The "music of the future" is dead. I've heard a lot of theories about why.
Some say the software still can't get things right. Others say people don't like it
cause it's "too perfect". I tend to agree with that one. Has anyone ever heard a
symphony of computer music? I've heard it once and it was perfect. Everything
was in time, in tune, flawless. But that's the thing- it was dead. It didn't breathe. I
think in the Age of Autotune, people still want to see musicians and performers be
able to back up what they produce.
Example: let's say Thesaurus Slam releases a cd that blows your mind. You've
never heard such amazing music, every note edges on the not-humanly-possible.
Your favorite song is song #3- let's call it "Frumpy Gerkin". [I seriously just threw
the first 2 words off the top of my head- work with me here!] You go out and buy a
concert ticket and go see them...only to find out that "Frumpy Gerkin" can't be
performed live. Either there were too many studio effects, or most of the
technicality of the song was achieved in editing, for one reason or another the
song can't be played live. Most people would be upset. I would! Despite, or
probably more accurately IN spite of, the technology and advancements in music
production, there is still no substitute for a band going on stage and actually being
able to play what they wrote and recorded. The human element is vital to music-
without it, the music is hollow, dead, fake.
I was taught this lesson when I went and saw Rush in concert. They played
everything just the way it sounded on their cd's. I was blown away. It's not like i
didn't think they could, but actually seeing it happen in person took everything to
another level. It reminded me that music is for people and needs to be made BY
people.
- Michael Butts, The Ron Jonsons
| "I know Speed Metal." |
November 1st, 2010 -
In the history of music, or rather, among the millions of musicians throughout
history, there have been a rare few who have had such a revolutionary sound that
it forever changed music. Bach, Mozart, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie
Parker, The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Michael Jackson - the best
of the best of the best. I'm talking about artists who, once they started playing,
there was no way to go back to playing before them. Or, to twist phrase from
Futurama, once you heard them, you couldn't un-hear them. Artist like these come
along once every generation or two, if that!
I'm not here to discuss those artists (which I could for days), but an artist doesn't
have to make it to that list to shift paradigms. Anyone who likes music has had
their taste/opinions changed by an artist at one point in time or another. I know
this is true for everything - otherwise you would be rocking out to "Mary Had a
Little Lamb" and "I'm a Little Teapot". You might not have crapped your pants or
anything, but there was some point in your life where you heard some artist and
all you wanted was more. The stuff you had been listening to up to that point didn't
seem as fully interesting. Switchfoot didn't change the music industry, but they
sure made me want to hear more of them!
Spence would probably still be into more classic rock if he hadn't heard a couple
metal songs and then thought "yep, that's for me!". Austin would only be himself if
he hadn't picked up on jazz and picked up a sax. And Josh...well he's just likes
everything (he's the exception that proves the rule). Point is, everyone has a
musical artist that made them who they are, changed their
life/style/world-view/everything!
- Michael Butts, The Ron Jonsons
In the history of music, or rather, among the millions of musicians throughout
history, there have been a rare few who have had such a revolutionary sound that
it forever changed music. Bach, Mozart, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie
Parker, The Beatles, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Michael Jackson - the best
of the best of the best. I'm talking about artists who, once they started playing,
there was no way to go back to playing before them. Or, to twist phrase from
Futurama, once you heard them, you couldn't un-hear them. Artist like these come
along once every generation or two, if that!
I'm not here to discuss those artists (which I could for days), but an artist doesn't
have to make it to that list to shift paradigms. Anyone who likes music has had
their taste/opinions changed by an artist at one point in time or another. I know
this is true for everything - otherwise you would be rocking out to "Mary Had a
Little Lamb" and "I'm a Little Teapot". You might not have crapped your pants or
anything, but there was some point in your life where you heard some artist and
all you wanted was more. The stuff you had been listening to up to that point didn't
seem as fully interesting. Switchfoot didn't change the music industry, but they
sure made me want to hear more of them!
Spence would probably still be into more classic rock if he hadn't heard a couple
metal songs and then thought "yep, that's for me!". Austin would only be himself if
he hadn't picked up on jazz and picked up a sax. And Josh...well he's just likes
everything (he's the exception that proves the rule). Point is, everyone has a
musical artist that made them who they are, changed their
life/style/world-view/everything!
- Michael Butts, The Ron Jonsons
| Let's see... Futurama quote... music stuff... sure, this picture is relevant enough. |
November 18th, 2010 -
Good evening, ladies and Rontlemen. This past Sunday, we once again rocked
Hartwell’s Run Over Violence, making sure that runners find the inspiration they
need to conquer those five kilometers. It was refreshing, getting to play a show
again. After all, it had been a while since our last show. We don’t have any shows
scheduled ahead right now, but that’s because we’re getting those final touches
done on the album. And that reminds me:
I’ve heard that there’s been a nasty little rumor spreading around a small number
of people that The Ron Jonsons are nearing the end, and even that the Run Over
Violence was our “Swan song”. Let’s get something straight. Not only are The
Ron Jonsons NOT ending anytime soon, but on the contrary, we’re just GETTING
STARTED. We’re about to release our first ever album. After that, we’re going to
start getting more merchandise made and we might even start trying to make a
music video and develop other band “staples” of the music industry. Want proof?
Let me start by giving you a little taste of what’s around the corner. I’m feeling
confident that the album will be done in the next few weeks, so it’s time to start
leaking out the album artwork to get you excited.
So the picture for today’s blog* will be the official album cover of our self-titled
album. It was done for us by Will Hardee and I hope you’ll enjoy it. It features our
band name and logo emblazoned across the center with a red abstract
background. We decided to go with an abstract background because it
represents our sound…it’s a very abstract and diverse album that changes style
with every song.
Hope you like it! And just wait til you see the picture on the back of the album! Until
next time!
-Josh Bailey, The Ron Jonsons
Good evening, ladies and Rontlemen. This past Sunday, we once again rocked
Hartwell’s Run Over Violence, making sure that runners find the inspiration they
need to conquer those five kilometers. It was refreshing, getting to play a show
again. After all, it had been a while since our last show. We don’t have any shows
scheduled ahead right now, but that’s because we’re getting those final touches
done on the album. And that reminds me:
I’ve heard that there’s been a nasty little rumor spreading around a small number
of people that The Ron Jonsons are nearing the end, and even that the Run Over
Violence was our “Swan song”. Let’s get something straight. Not only are The
Ron Jonsons NOT ending anytime soon, but on the contrary, we’re just GETTING
STARTED. We’re about to release our first ever album. After that, we’re going to
start getting more merchandise made and we might even start trying to make a
music video and develop other band “staples” of the music industry. Want proof?
Let me start by giving you a little taste of what’s around the corner. I’m feeling
confident that the album will be done in the next few weeks, so it’s time to start
leaking out the album artwork to get you excited.
So the picture for today’s blog* will be the official album cover of our self-titled
album. It was done for us by Will Hardee and I hope you’ll enjoy it. It features our
band name and logo emblazoned across the center with a red abstract
background. We decided to go with an abstract background because it
represents our sound…it’s a very abstract and diverse album that changes style
with every song.
Hope you like it! And just wait til you see the picture on the back of the album! Until
next time!
-Josh Bailey, The Ron Jonsons
