My brother and I have finally gotten off our asses after the failure of our last band to do anything substantial. We made money but......yeah that's it.

So, I've taken over things myself and I've got a bassist and drummer to join our new venture here in Los Angeles. I've got 8 songs done and my brother has another 6 or so (he says more are finished but sometimes we're like Liam and Noel more than anything else and I don't think he's finished, I don't know if I'm Liam or Noel at this point though. Our roles switch all the time.). I learned a lot letting other people run the show and now I just use shuteye as my inspiration as in...."fuck it I'm just going to play" is his motto and I'm stealing it.

Anyway, I've been working hard in my own little studio the last few months and we did the myspace thing for now and I'm working on the site. I'll update new songs when I mix them.

The band name is 'reijo' (yeah like Ruotsalainen you old Oiler fans)

3 songs on myspace you can listen to for now. I know it may not be YOUR STYLE but proper feedback and groupie session bookings are valued at this point.

site:http://www.reijomusic.com (in design phase) (anyone want to work on the design / writing / production too? ..will give ftp /mysql access....we could build a band cms type system for sale)

mypuke:http://www.myspace.com/reijomusic

I know it doesn't even look like I've disappeared from this site, but I have been working hard on this and since the songs are new, you'll be some of the first to hear them (well sorry Welcome to America is an old song that just keeps getting more and more true everyday....I wrote it when I was 18)

Keep on keeping on. I've been trying to finish stuff lately to, so much respect to someone who can get around to doing it. :P Are you playing any gigs?

Yes of course!! That's the idea. I had to find the bassist and drummer first though because I look dumb on stage by myself running between every instrument.

That would be pretty impressive, though.

I'm just asssummminnggg you'll keep this updated, since I'm kind of in the area, I'd be interested.

My goal is to be your very first friend on MySpace!

I'll have to listen later though, congrats on getting it together.

Redondo Beach? Home of SST? Nice. I was there for a short time.

My plan was to update all y'alls here if there's interest. I'll play that one by ear.

I fucking love this town man. I go to Sea Hawks games regularly. It is nice. And Pennywise is/was/still is just down the street in Hermosa Beach.

I'll add a couple more songs this weekend. I'd like to know which you like and which you don't like. It's always interesting for me as I like certain ones but people end up liking ones you didn't expect. So far, most people have been receptive to the tunes.

[edit] I have one friend now.....whoo hoo!!

How come Welcome to America isn't available?!?!?

i'm going to give it 5 Walts out of 5.

In all honesty, not my cup of tea, but mad respect for putting it out there.

/edit When I listened, I didn't get to hear "Welcome to America". Thats more like it to me.

Ok so I listened to the tracks on Myspace and I just wanna say, overall it's pretty fucking good. I've got some feedback it you want it, I've been doing music for 2.5 decades now, from writing to engineering and playing live etc. I'm a fucking hack though, I sing half bad and I can barely keep up with a Sabbath solo, but I know a bit about composing a song and performing and the like from over 20+ years of doing it, so take what you will from the following =)

Overall pretty fucking good, nice and tight - almost U2-ish, with a little The Cure kinda vibe (potentially). Musically, it maybe lacks just a little "edge". Sounds like your singer needs to tap into a little more inner-overconfidence/energy. Not quite enough hunger there - with a little more vocal punch and growl it would really make the music more impactful. He's definitely got a great vocal sound and sings in tune, he just needs to know in his head he can sing and fucking belt that shit out, be bold and all that. It's really a confidence issue (not looking to bruise any egos either, just calling it like I see it). I'd suggest working with more whiskey but then I'm an acoloholoic Just curious, is the singer also playing guitar?

More specifically, on "Reason and Desire", right before the guitar solo, I think the dududududududun guitar riff in the background should go to some powerchord-ness. That dynamic kick-up would really amp up the song.

Do you have 2 guitar players or is that overdubs? I think you could kick things up in certain parts with the second guitar to add another layer of dynamics to the songs. Think more about the ways to use the different instrumental voices, listen to some Fugazi maybe for a little inspiration - not that you guys sound like them at all, but I think it's pretty brilliant the way they drive their dynamics and play off each other. In my opinion focusing on dynamics all around would definitely propel the music over the top.

Ok - my apologies if my feedback isn't wanted/welcome. LIke I said, those three songs on your Myspace page are pretty cool :thumbsup: it's definitely a totally worthy project, I'd love to hear more! =)

shit, now that's feedback. Thanks Thad.

So, Welcome to America isn't working for people? Jeff did it work later?

Never figured a Cure reference would make it there, but cool I guess. U2-ish...yes we hear that all the time. The songs are missing that edge. I'm the one doing the recording for now so that's my new job to find that. I'll work on that and getting the singer to feel better about life too. )) Whiskey is always a plus. Good advice.

Will try the powerchords on R&D this weekend and see. Thanks.

2 guitar players....myself and my brother. We work really well together in that way. We just don't work well together anywhere else. lol ))

What do you mean by dynamics? Other contrasting instruments or bringing the instruments in at different times for effect? ....explain more please...because maybe that's the edge we're missing from these recordings.

I think I might have to jump back on Craig's List for a bassist. Ours moved and the guy that was supposed to show last night didn't. Flakes in this town.

Thanks guys for your feedback. It is much appreciated. I know its not everyone's style.

Ok so by dynamics, it varies but one simple dynamic is just playing softer and louder. When the singer gets on the mic, I play a bit quieter, pull back a little on the picking and maybe even mute the strings with the heal of my right hand. Then through the turn-around I pick it up a little more, and when we hit chorus I'm kicking it harder. That's basic per-line dynamics, a line being verse through turnaround into chorus and back again.

Then there's overall song composition dynamics - for example, maybe the beginning of the song is stripped-down, just an acoustic with vocals and minimal drums, and then the bass comes in, then the second guitar, and as each verse/chorus passes it gets a bit more complex and filled-in, a bit harder and louder. And then you get your climax moment at the solo and last chorus and let it all drop away to maybe a single voice ringing out that lonely last note.

There's a ton of variations on that overall theme, the rising and falling of intensity and volume driving the feel of the song.

One other level of dynamics is just stopping - have the drums and bass fall out right at the end of a verse for a full measure and then slam it into the turn-around. Or time change, slow it way way down for a certain part, drop out, and then drop in at full tempo.

Edge is like, the difference between singing/playing more casually, versus singing/playing like your dog just died, versus singing/playing like you're about to kill someone. When you perform, it really helps to have an emotion behind what's going on for different parts of the song. I got a solo I do for one song that's typically a bit frustrating for me, so I started to incorporate that as angst into the solo itself and suddenly the solo is this crazy passionate heart-wrenching piece that makes the whole song come alive.

The Cure reference, I kinda did a double-take myself when I first typed that, but then I listened again and yeah, it's the singer, he's got just a bit of a Robert Smith to his vocal, it might be interesting to hear him exploit that a little more, or it might be disasterous =) Won't know until ya try.

Originally posted by: Storm What do you mean by dynamics? Other contrasting instruments or bringing the instruments in at different times for effect? ....explain more please...because maybe that's the edge we're missing from these recordings.

I was thinking particularly on You're Not Alone. the drums for example, never seem to get louder, quieter, or come in and out.

Like I would start the song with maybe just tapping the hi hat, until about 01:18, full kit comes in, and then build through the instrumental break- POW, open hi-hat, really letting loose, distorted guitars at 02:08, for example. then back everything off and quiet for the verse at around 3:40. That up and down goes a long way to make a song interesting to a non-motivated listener.

Not that I practice what I preach, but you get the idea.

Reason and Desire is very U2! I'm a sucker for that delay guitar sound, I like that.

mp3z 4 download pls

reijo has 1 friends. :(

BS you fucking hack. YOU and your gay friends have to buy the album! (psst don't anyone post the private download links)

Actually, why would you want the MP3s? They're not done yet.

I bought a Dod DFX9 years ago and it's been a great delay pedal. We don't try to be U2 but sometimes we're just a product of our time I guess. We really just want to be Johnny Cash and Chris Isaak (I play a Fender Twin Reverb for that clean twank surf sound) but no matter how hard we try to be Johnny or Chris, somehow it ends up how it ends up. Sorry. I used to fight it.

Anyway, thanks honestly for the suggestions. It's hard putting stuff out there for you hard asses and not gulping in fear, but I have to do this. We've got too many songs not to. We'll take your suggestions to heart this weekend. I will especially work on drums for You're Not Alone. Those were done in Reason's ReDrum just for the beat. But you've made me realize I've got to get something in there for real. Good call. Thanks.

I was just kidding X. Don't be all sensitive. They're just not ready to be shared yet. I still have mixing to do. (I'm not the best mixing guy on the planet...they sound alright, just not GREAT yet)

UPDATE [www.myspace.com/reijomusic] I did mixdown a couple of more songs to the myspace page tonight and thought I'd share to give a little more variance on the songs. That's all I'm going to post for now because these are the only ones I think are ready. I want to do some edits on the others as they don't feel complete yet. This weekend is all about recording and editing and I might be drunk on Chimay.

Thanks again for your help everyone.

Kidding? Sensitive? Apparently I missed something.

I would offer to be bassist, but the commute to gigs would be a bitch.

I'll fly your pretty ass in but I'd make you wear go-go boots.

Had a line on a bassist and he skipped our meeting but met another guy interested. I haven't heard him play though.

Anyway, I added drums to You're Not Alone as per the suggestions. The notes are messed up in the middle and I'll clean it up this week but the intro and outro are coming together.

I added two more of our songs as well. How hard is it going to be to find a drummer and bassist in LA? You'd think pretty freaking easy, but I guess not.

You did not accept my friend request, I'm instantly appalled and regretting my reijo lower back tattoo!

Originally posted by: Storm I'll fly your pretty ass in but I'd make you wear go-go boots.

Sounds like a win win for me!

Oh, I suck at myspace!! What's your name on there? I didn't know who people are on those things.

[edit]ok, I added everyone who requested. Send me a message there FL so I know.

We're friends now. I'm ready to be a groupie again.

Chris Isaak is your friend?? Wow, do you get to snuggle with that chunk of man-perfection???!!!!

he keeps breaking up with me so he can write more breakup songs though....it's a tough relationship. But he is a cuddly man of perfection.

I still have no idea which "friend" FL is though. I feel like a myspace loser now.....

"omg, I have a friend. Maybe they messaged me....OMG I need to check to see if FL messaged me....OMG!!!"

fuck