|
|
|
Johnathon Hall, singer/guitarist of Backbiter (winner of LA Weekly magazines 1999 best Metal/Rock category) joins Freda on two songs - "Paradox" and "Lickin' the Crack of Life". Jonathon lays down some tasty and powerful guitar tracks. |
|
What's Up, People? After spending more than a year and a half on a tough musical reconnaissance, I survived the grooveless technical endeavor, unscathed. Now on to the next mission of recording. I thought that since there will be a bit of time in between shows, (again!) a newsletter would be a good way to keep you all up on things. Hopefully the newsletter will be distributed once per season. It's raining which is a nice time for me to do some writing. but it's a freaky time of the year to dump like this. I'm sitting on a really cool Turkish Pillow that I bought at a flea market and the smell of freshly bloomed Gardenia's, which I'm growing indoors, fills the air. Yes, Things are good! Well, I've been singing on the side with guitar player/singer/songwriter Adam Gaxiola and a few other great musicians in a band, now called "CHINGAS DE MINGUS". "CHINGAS" has a very Soulful Jagged Jazz type of sound, which is tight and full. With Bill Chingas on drums, Donald Chingas on flute, turn table, and he Raps, Che' Chingas on bass, and Paul Chingas on trumpet and the Rhodes. We've played a few shows around, which were Smoking! We will play another show with "BANYAN", the Steven Perkins and Mike Watt project, which will be August 6th at the La Conga Room in Pedro. Of course, You could be getting this newsletter right now, at the La Conga Room. OOWEEEEOO! I'm having a blast. Hopefully we can get a web-site as well as a few other things going real soon. I'm not sure what's up, but awhile ago I recorded a remake with Steven Perkins (formerly of "JANE'S ADDICTION" and "PORNO FOR PYROS") and Mike Watt (formerly of "MINUTEMEN" AND "FIREHOSE".) More info on this one later. The "CHEMICAL PEOPLE" released their CD, "Arpeggio Motorcade", on Cruz Records well over a year ago. I recorded the background vocals on "NO REASON WHY". Maybe they'll tour again. Who knows? For More info and really cool "T" Shirts, try Chaser.com. I had a great jam with Patrick Moraz (you Know) of the "MOODY BLUES" and "YES", the later years. Patrick actually accompanies my vocals and opens a space within a place that I travel rarely. It's an Awesome experience!!! There have been other events that were just as fun and exciting, but none more challenging than the CD that I am Writing, Arranging, Producing, Engineering, Singing and Playing on. Oh Boy! Miss Girl's hands are full this time. The plan is to feature different Guitarist throughout the CD of 15 to 20 songs. Each varies in message and style, as usual, but it's all Rock & Roll, I mean Jazz, I mean Punk, I mean Pop, I mean Soul, no, I mean Alternative, no, it's Groove. Oh, it's something, somehow relateable to me. IT'S MUSIC, BABY, MUSIC!!! I started with "CHINESE FIREDRILL" written by Joe Carducci and Mike Watt. It must be different, I said to myself. So, I eliminated the bass for starters. There's Dez Cadena formerly of Black Flag & Vida, on guitar and I handle the rest. Hey, what does 11/8 sound like anyhow? (?) (!) Tom Wattson, of "Red Crayola" and formerly "SLOVENLY", adds a mysterious, psychedelic, grungy tone to the cut "ANXIETY", along with Adam Gaxiola from "CHINGAS DE MINGUS" on guitar. Throwing a tight jazzy edge in the mix. Adam Gaxiola plays on a few of the songs. Rockin' without a doubt, because he's got it like that, with his ax and all. Mario Lalli and Gary Arce both from "SORT OF QUARTET' played amazing guitar on "DEEP NINE". An instrumental that's sort of psychedelic surf jazz. "DOS" came in and recorded with me on a song as well. It was great seeing and working with Kira Rossler, one of the "BLACK FLAG" bass players. It's been a while. I'm excited to have Nels Cline record guitar on a tune called "TURN ON/OFF", as well as the other very talented people, that will be on this CD. There's so much to describe, it's hard to put into words without the music to back it up. I'll just say that I'm diggin' every moment. Hopefully there will be a few surprises, To the Clappers, Nodders, Banggers, Stompers, Snappers, Moshers, Hummers and Boppers. Ain't no thang, like your thang. Do it! PEACE, FREDA P.S. To be added to the mailing list for "CHINGAS DE MINGUS" and/ or to check out Freda's music, art, Mikey P's surfing and links to other sites go to: http://www.concreteanthill.com. |
