Category: PsychoDaisy Songbook

Digital Drums

After 20 something years of wanting and waiting, I finally have my very own digital drum kit! Some guy out in Cranston put his Simmons SD5K kit up for sale on Craigslist for only $150.00! I arranged a ride with Wayne to get out there and after an hour or so of email tag the guy finally shows up. Kit works and sounds pretty good from what I could tell. I brought it home and gave it a quick cleaning and rearranged the setup to my liking. Still haven’t gotten to play it yet but soon! I need to move it into the office and get it all plugged in. Need to read the manual and learn how to use the “brain.” So stoked.

For the past week I’ve been chatting/emailing with Randy and we’re going to collaborate on some new songs. He has already sent new music and lyrics for me to work with. I spent a few days organizing all our old band stuff I have. We’ve an order in for a tape to MP3 converter. I’ll be converting all the old band tapes I have to digital. Randy will then go through and label stuff. There may be a song or two worth resurrecting. Who knows? I have no idea what is on most of the tapes.

I’m really excited to actually have this kit. It means I’ll pretty much be able to practice whenever I want since I don’t have to plug it into an amp to play. If I do, well, no problem – they guy threw in a CRATE practice amp for free. Sweet deal!

February 21st, 2015

Journal, PsychoDaisy Songbook
In Neptune’s Wake

This last storm wasn’t too bad. It only dumped around 8 inches of snow here. Keri said the wind was insanely loud though. There’s more snow expected tomorrow. Will it ever end?

I was able to get out and do a quick 30 minute run before the storm hit on Saturday. I was able to run a 12 minute mile pace since I avoided the icy roads as much as possible. Running in full daylight helped a ton too. Route below:

Saturday’s Valentine run

I just glanced out the front windows and it looks like the roads may be clear enough for a trip to the store. I need to head out soon before this next snowstorm hits. Because of the cold weather, we have been staying inside and keeping as warm as possible with great home-cooked meals and tea. We’ve also been working on our own little projects. I’m organizing all my old writings into binders and pulling out the best bits for new poems and lyrics. It’s a trip down Nostalgia Lane. I even found a drawing I did in 1975 when I was 2!

Side one

Side two

February 16th, 2015

Journaling, Metamorphosis, Oeuvre, PsychoDaisy Songbook, Running
Wild Thangs

While packing for our upcoming move, I found my “PsychoDaisy Songbook” binder. This is an old notebook binder that I have filled with old band lyrics, lists, and notes going as far back as Summer of 1992. It wasn’t until 1993 that the band really came together and actually set aside practice times.

We only did two cover songs back then. Wild Thing and Purple Haze. I actually still have the hand-printed lyrics that Zak had taped up on our kitchen cabinets so he could sing while playing the bass. This was in 1993 around April or so. I hadn’t picked up the drums yet so we were a two bass player band. The photo above is from one of the kitchen jam sessions that these lyric sheets were used in. From left to right: Zak MacRae (bass), me (bass), Sid Angelito (keyboard), and Randy Budano (guitar).

Zak’s handwritten alternate lyrics to Wild Thing.

Zak’s handwritten alternate lyrics to Purple Haze.

February 10th, 2015

Oeuvre, PsychoDaisy Songbook

Category: PsychoDaisy Songbook

Digital Drums

In Neptune’s Wake

Wild Thangs