"The musical realms, possibilities and potentially different directions, will always be in front of us, thus, making the trip through our lives that of the grateful musical student, who should be ready for anything and willing to bend and fuse!" Ty
I guess the biggest feat for me is I straighten out my life (that really use to be a train wreck)! I am such a different person from whom I use to be. I have to give credit to my wife and my family, they put up with me, but since becoming a Ordained Humanist Minister I feel I have a true purpose. But, beware! Do not think I am lacking any:
My Family:
My son the Grad!!! Yeah!
I had to put the friends list on randomized as I couldn't keep fooling with it. I'd put you all up if I could. You guys know who's at the top!
My Dream Bass, the Warwick Thumb!
Three of the best bass guitarists in the biz! Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller!
Choking Susan. This is my favorite newer Punk band.
Ramones Live at CBGB's 77'
Les Claypool live at Woodstock
My Buddy, whom I may be playing with once I'm healed, played almost everything. Please take a minute to check it.
My musical influences vary. My biggest influences lie in punk rock music. I enjoy lots of other types of tunes but at the core is punk(more on this later). My influences on the bass vary greatly. hand, My favorites, in no certain order, are: Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Stanley Clarke, Larry Graham, Jeff Berlin, Paco Pastorius(who probably had the lightest fingers in the game), Geddy Lee, Marcus Miller, the female newcomer Tal Wilkenfeld(Check out Table For One), Billy Sheehan(who now mostly rocks a baritone guitar), and Norwood Fisher.
I like all types of music really, Punk, Classic Rock, some Electronica, some Metal, most Alternative, the older Blues, any cool fusion bands(Thus my choice of Norwood Fisher of Fishbone), and most jam bands that move it. I would have to say, since picking up the bass, that I like Jazz the most now. Some of the masters just make me realize how truely talented they are.
In my younger days I was first a classic rock head. Then came the bomb drop. I went to a Ramones show and that was it, I was hooked. I became a Ramones fanatic and then, a little while later, a Hardcore Punker. I loved old school, hardcore punk bands, with the Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Gang Green, Black Flag, SS Decontrol, and the Circle Jerks, at the top of the list. Other bands I liked were the Buzzcocks, Suicidal Tendencies, Violent Femmes, the Dead Kennedys, the Clash, older Metallica, and AC/DC. I went through a short metal stage, 'till it got glam, mellowed with age, did the dead head thing for a while, drifted back towards some of the rauncher metal, as punk became an influence, on that scene, again. I then mellowed again and got into Crystal Method and the Chemical Brothers for awhile. Now I try to play a big mix of all of the above, with my biggest influence being Jazz. I'll let you know how that works out in about ten or twenty years.
I know quite a few rockers that are sucessful on the local levels. I worked for a friend for a few years who owned a stage lighting company. Worked a bunch of big names and venues with him, met some really cool, and sometimes famous, people. I also roadied for some decent touring bands here and there, through the years. If you see a band in my friends list that doesn't really seem to fit in with my described taste in music, chances are I worked for them or lit thier stage.
POLITICS
I am politically active and was a guest speaker at one of the rallies to stop escalation of troops, in the capacity of Ordained Minister of Humanism(which I am). I can't stand by and watch our Country, and her peoples, be manipulated by our own Government. Its kind of sad how most Americans are willing to just put up with it and have become placid.
I also moderate on a popular political debate website, http://www.defendingthetruth.com (tyreay is my user name there). Stop by if Ya'd like to debate or would like to be heard! Speaking up about our views of our government, and trying to become, atleast aware, if not active, is what America is about.
In my opinion, it is no longer 'by the people for the people', it all about Huge profits by the really rich and the lobbiest payoffs. I feel a total revamp of our political system is needed. Look into "Run-off Voting" for a good start. It basicly allows your vote to go to your second choice so you don't have to waste your vote on voting against whom you may feel would be bad for the country. In addition it will make the system into many different parties. Right now The Republicans are out of control and the the Dems bitch but take the envelope at the end of the day. It sucks. Run-off voting is working in other counties, and some of our states right now, and it is what America needs to get some political leaders that actually care about the little guys. It would help to fix our electoral process, and that is a good start! The rest can only come by voting for truely honest people. Feel free to use me as your reference at DtT if you want to get involved, in some way, with the political process.
What alot of work it must have taken to make this beautiful piece!(not mine, just thought I'd share it)
I'll cover my religion, here in my Favorite readings. It would have to be the Humanist Manifesto 3.1(see blog under "Anyone want a solution to World Peace, or just see the Manifesto"). My religion is Progressive Humanism. I am not one of the many Humanists that preach "No Religion".
I believe everyone is equal and we should allow all others the right to choose what is the truth behind our origins, spriritual beliefs and what may lie after this life. I do feel that some religions make learning about some of the earth sciences against their rules and this needs to be addressed. Far too many religions refuse to address subjects like evolution and the accurate geological, anthropological, and cosmological evidence. We should all strive to learn as much as we can about our earth(truely the mother of us all), our effects on nature, and our mis-trust of others based on our religious beliefs and fear of other religions. Each and ever religion, and all ethnic groups of peoples, must get past hate, fear and war. A review and revaming in some Religions is really needed. I actuallly applaud the Pope for his admission that we may have evolved. I don't rule out the possibility of divine intervention before the creation of a life substainable earth. The point being, I could never call myself an atheist. But I do believe that some religions need to come the present. I am much more in line with Wiccan and Native American beliefs, than Christian.
We are all one people and must embrace all peoples, RIGHT NOW, in order to renew our thin grip, on existence here on earth. Our biggest concern should be our environment. The earth was not "put here" to use as we wish. Through learned experience, living side by side with others, and applied logic, we can help fix this world. These beliefs should adapted use by all religions. Please go read My Blog.
Love to hang out with my kids and the wife. My Son(19) also plays bass, my oldest Daughter(17) plays electric guitar but wants to switch to drumming, and my youngest Daughter(15)sings. We are all in various stages of learning. A family band someday? Maybe, if we can all agree on what kind of music to play. Mom's in college full time so I have lots of time with my kids. Its just a matter now of channeling everyone in one direction. Easier said than done though!Playing bass is now my main passion, but I have to play seated, most of the time. I also play the blues harp(don't have the wind anymore though). I am a docent at Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Explortion, as well as a former member of the Marine Mammal Rescue Team (Seals Whales and Sea turtles) and the Beluga Whale Enrichment Team, which basicly was just playing with the Whales (using 87 different toys such as balls and rings We even got to play music and let them watch TV!)(See photo album), though I haven't been active this year because of an injury(2 pinched nerves, one in my back, one in my neck). I really miss playing with the whales and helping stranded Marine Mammals. That rocked. I don't agree with captive animals for peoples amusement. These animals were born in captivity and I just tried to make there lives better. I got so much out of the connection I had with them. So smart. Plus the place I worked does alot of scientific work towards helping whole species of sea creatures.
Oh well, might have to face the fact that I'm too old and beat up for that now. Bummer.
Oddly enough, I also love surfcasting and striper and blue fishing. Catch and release mostly. Just love to get out on the ocean. It a whole different world. Arg!!