The Owl Watches profile picture

The Owl Watches

About Me

This project had its beginnings while I was playing in another band, the ecclectic Tony Island based out of Boston MA. While we were working on a Tony Island CD in 2000, I started to do THE OWL WATCHES simultaneously. Inspired by working with a multi-faceted artist like Tony gave me tons of impetus to try something of my own, which he wholeheartedly supported and encouraged.I have two releases so far, "Tales From The Inflatable Forest" that came out in 2002. It was me (Phil McKenna) playing ALL instruments (guitars, bass, keyboards/fake Mellotron, drum programs) and wrote the whole thing. I self-produced it and sold/marketed it through Big Balloon Music ( www.bigballoonmusic.com ). Even though doing everything on it, I am primarily a guitarist who doubles on bass.The second disc, "Ghost of A Train" (released in January 2006) included 2 guest drummers and other contributors to the melee.My biggest influences would definitely be MILES DAVIS, KING CRIMSON, GABRIEL-period GENESIS, MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, guitarist Bill Connors, RAVEL, STRAVINSKY, HENDRIX, CREAM, stuff on the ECM label and the Canterbury Prog thing in general.To date, I am now constructing my next disc, to be called Guaranteed To Be 100% Free Of Hit Singles, which may well be complete by late September at my currnt rate of progress, to be released BEFORE Christmas. In the meantime, there are two tracks called "Sign With Disappearing Ink" and ""A Village to Raise--" (which is actually called "It Takes A Village to Raise An Idiot") above to whet your appetite.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 7/2/2005
Band Website: http://www.geocities.com/theowlwatches
Band Members: Phil McKenna - Guitars, Bass, some keys PLUS guest drummers, like Clint Eastwood said, "A good man knows his limitations."..
Influences: Magma. King Crimson, early Genesis, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Ravel, Stravinsky, Frank Zappa, ECM-label jazz, music from old Saturday morning cartoons.
Sounds Like: Someone who listened to too much prog rock, fusion and watched a few too many episodes of Batman and Saturday morning cartoons
Record Label: Owl Sounds

My Blog

40 Rules For Bands

1. Never start a trio with a married couple.2. Your manager's not helping you? FIRE THEM!!!.3. Before you sign a record deal, look up the word "recoupable" in the dictionary.4. No one cares who you've...
Posted by on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:33:00 GMT

The New Owl Watches Video

Hell Froze Over!! After swearing for years to NEVER do a music video, I had a change of heart, After several friends good-naturedly prodded me into getting some video editing software, I came up ...
Posted by on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:48:00 GMT

Even MORE Band Names

Radio FaceWeapons of Mass StupiditySteve Howe of The UndeadOnion HeadlinesIron Rat PoisonThe Dead UndertakersCashless SuperheroesThe No Green LanternHungry SiliconeThe David Lynch MobDisneyland Uber A...
Posted by on Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:24:00 GMT

Fiendish Experiments-Strix Varia

Well folks, my ever evolving muse has led me down a somewhat perilous yet incredibly rewarding path of late. Almost by accident, I have have found myself teamed up with the rhythm section of  Z-...
Posted by on Thu, 03 May 2007 07:50:00 GMT

RUNAWAY TRAIN!!!! New CD Is Unleashed

At long last prog-fans, the new Owl Watches CD, "GHOST OF A TRAIN" is released. Contained within are 8 tracks of pure instrumental madness  for your dining and dancing pleasure.  If you li...
Posted by on Wed, 15 Feb 2006 11:44:00 GMT

Naming Your Band

Ahh yes, that age old source of angst, fear, dread, excessive consumption of alcohol, Hostess Twinkies and other toxic substances, TRYING TO FIND A NAME FOR YOUR BAND YOU CAN LIVE WITH!!!  ...
Posted by on Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:40:00 GMT

Band Name Ideas

  NEED A NAME FOR YOUR BAND? Try These: Premeditated Donuts Screech Owl Warp Speed Mumble Collectors of Lawn Ornaments Bureau of Land Management Parcel # 318C Violent Silence Fumes ...
Posted by on Thu, 22 Sep 2005 12:05:00 GMT

Favorites of The Owl

Everyday Life:: Someone telling you they love you and it really shows, honesty & realness, passion, ferocity, adventurousness and risk-taking, people who really listen to you, people who know your...
Posted by on Mon, 22 Aug 2005 07:50:00 GMT

Musings Of An 11/8 Guy In A 4/4 World

It Aint Easy Being An 11/8 Guy In A 4/4 World   Hopefully, without being obtuse or overly intellectual, I endeavor to give you a detailed explanation of why I am drawn to a style of music t...
Posted by on Mon, 15 Aug 2005 19:19:00 GMT

Up and Running

Welcome everyone to The Owl's little 'ol nest! Here you will find progressive/experimental rock to feast your ears on and I'll be keeping y'all up to date with my latest exploits. Thus far, I am in ...
Posted by on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 00:00:00 GMT