Electric guitar + vocals - the rest of the band

clockwork green · December 28, 2010, 01:45:06 AM

I've been thinking about doing a project along the line of Neil Young's Le Noise for a year or so. I don't want to use the "singer/songwriter" label because it's usually associated with really crappy hipster neo-folk. Anyone know of other versions of this? I'm actually thinking of something more along the lines of Junior Kimbrough or Michael Gira's solo stuff but with a little dirt. Have any of you ever tried something like this? How did it go? I'm thinking of using small 5-10 watt amps for this...I don't think a full wall of noise is necessary. This thread is really just me thinking out loud and looking for thoughts from other musicians.

dogfood · December 28, 2010, 04:14:54 AM

perhaps the 5-10w amp will get the clean head room you will want. Gira would approve a sparkling glassy low volumes-Traynor 50w Bassmaster with a tele or rick even. When was the last time Rick 6 or 12 string guitfiddles were mentioned round these parts? I am really digging the Appalacian Americana vibe Gira is putting forth.

VOLVO))) · December 28, 2010, 09:43:36 AM

I do the Wino thing.. nothing neo-folk or hipster about that. There's lots of those guy/girls around here. If you're a good enough player, who cares, do what feels good to you.

Chovie D · December 28, 2010, 01:58:14 PM

I'm not sure how well that kind of thing works live. It can work really well on records but I think even Neil when he was performing these songs before the album came out was usng a full band live.

Its an interesting idea, one I am attracted to myself.
im trying to think of people who do this succesfully and can name very few.
PW Long?, the Neurosis dude? Alan Sparhawk of Low? Mark lanagan at times?

just a dirty guitar and some vocals right? I would imagine it would be difficult to stay out of neo folk territory.

Ive never tried it personally.

dogfood · December 28, 2010, 03:02:39 PM

I've always thought I'd like to do this: me, wooden chair, dobro, slide, bottle of whiskey, playing some slurred delta shit about a woman who shot me in the leg and should have been a better shot.

El Zombre · December 28, 2010, 03:04:48 PM

I don't see why not. It's only hipster neo-folk if it's whining over indescript guitar chordage. If one of your model is Junior Kimbrough, one of the heaviest, riffiest bluesman around, then there's little mistaking it for that other thing. Riff changes > chord changes.

For lack of rehearsal time, I do the electric guitar + vocals thing too, minus the vocals. Usually play out at house parties and such, my 30W Laney AOR is more than plenty volume. Whether people get bored but are too polite to tell me is another thing.

clockwork green · December 28, 2010, 03:38:23 PM

It's definitely along the lines of riffs and droning riffs rather than strumming away on Jim Croce chord changes. It's basically what I'm doing when I'm just fucking around on guitar at home. I was thinking of using my Gibson ES137, Tele and Danelectro 12-string mostly in standard but maybe a few alternate tunings I've come up with. For amps I have a '57 Fender Harvard that has a 12 instead of the normal 10 and I'm looking to re-cab my Champ 600 in a 1x12. Just a dirt pedal or two and maybe a fuzz and delay.

I've seen the Steve Von Till/Harvestmen thing and that's totally different. I imagine the starkness of Gira's solo acoustic stuff with the dirt of a cranky old tweed amp and some of the hypnotic droning riffage of Junior. It's just yet another thing I'd have to make time for but it's exciting because I don't have to rely on bandmembers and I can control every aspect. Plus this is music that doesn't fit with the Worship of Silence.

Chovie D · December 28, 2010, 04:29:04 PM

Quote from: clockwork green on December 28, 2010, 03:38:23 PM
It's definitely along the lines of riffs and droning riffs rather than strumming away on Jim Croce chord changes. It's basically what I'm doing when I'm just fucking around on guitar at home. I was thinking of using my Gibson ES137, Tele and Danelectro 12-string mostly in standard but maybe a few alternate tunings I've come up with. For amps I have a '57 Fender Harvard that has a 12 instead of the normal 10 and I'm looking to re-cab my Champ 600 in a 1x12. Just a dirt pedal or two and maybe a fuzz and delay.

I've seen the Steve Von Till/Harvestmen thing and that's totally different. I imagine the starkness of Gira's solo acoustic stuff with the dirt of a cranky old tweed amp and some of the hypnotic droning riffage of Junior. It's just yet another thing I'd have to make time for but it's exciting because I don't have to rely on bandmembers and I can control every aspect. Plus this is music that doesn't fit with the Worship of Silence.

Oh, I misunderstood then. The example you gave was Le Noise and that really is not much more than some Jim Croce chords rocked up a bit with some fuzz in parts. I'll go check out Kimbroughto get a better idea of what you mean. Since you said drone, one guy that comes to mind doing solo drone is Joe Preston, Thrones.. have you heard that? is that more like what you have in mind?

black_out · December 28, 2010, 06:31:49 PM

There's a dude around my way that does something sort of similar to what you're talking about. He uses a suitcase for a kick drum, plays guitar, and sings. Shit's pretty awesome.

eyeprod · December 28, 2010, 07:01:45 PM

I've always liked the idea of something sort of moody, partially acoustic, that's constructed in such a way that it's easy to invite capable musicians to jam with you. You know, nothing too hard to wrap your head around. Probably rhythm based with some open tunings, and lots of drone. Good luck with it.

spookstrickland · December 28, 2010, 07:56:11 PM

I checked out that Neal Young album and it's awesome! more people should be doing stuff like that. I say just go for it!

Cheers

clockwork green · December 28, 2010, 08:06:30 PM

I'm definitely familiar with Joe Preston and the Thrones but that's far more atmospheric. I'm thinking something more intimate sounding. It's amazing how closely I'll listen to all of the little details and textures of the guitar when there isn't a bassist, drummer or keys. Plus time tempo of a song can be much more fluid when there is a single instrument. I'd do this acoustically but I just don't feel than an acoustic guitar is my most natural voice as a musician.

VOLVO))) · December 28, 2010, 10:12:21 PM

I also found that playing in open tunings, most recently, Open D, allows for much more when you're playing alone. I can play bass lines, melodies, since most chords in Open D can be played with one finger and open strings... It makes for fun with a looper and delay, too...

clockwork green · December 29, 2010, 06:14:43 PM

What I like doing with open tunings is just randomly tuning the strings 'til I get an open chord that I like. Picking tunings from a book never works out for me even though I'm probably going to wind up with a tuning that's already there.

tomz. · February 07, 2011, 09:04:06 AM

I'm kinda putting myself out there with this, as I know the company in this forum has much talent, but it's kind of in line with your ideas...
Man, I'm not even drinking, I may regret this, heh...

Oh well, if it's horribly embarrassing I'll just slide away into the void that is the internet

.

This past saturday I had some free time and went to my shop and recorded this video on my super crappy point and shoot cheap camera. dumped it into imovie (which is sucky compared to after effects, but dont have that on this cpu..) and gave it a shot. The microphone is an old headphone sung thru a fender practice amp. Drum is a paint can. guit is thru my peavey and a rat.

here goes nothing...
(it's a lot of fun doing solo noise projects, all the freedom can be a bit overwhelming however...)

clockwork green · February 11, 2011, 06:07:53 PM

I like the kick drum. Different from what I mainly had in mine but I think it works. Not that there's anything wrong with full bands it's just a different experience. There are certain times when I've seen bands and thought that the rest of the band just got in the way and that a stripped down experience would be much more effective and impactful.

Lumpy · February 11, 2011, 06:55:36 PM

Damn Tom, nice job. But I gotta ask, why is your left foot so lazy? Couldn't you maybe scratch some vinyl too, or play Moog bass? (just kidding).

I think anything 'different' is worth exploring. Something runs contrary to what everybody else is doing? You may be onto something. And even if it's not a totally successful experiment in the end, it could be an intermediate step to get there. Plus, it could really advance your skills.

tomz. · February 11, 2011, 07:22:08 PM

Thanks Lumpy, it means a lot. And I agree, if nothing else I have learned tons doing this experiment. There's no one to hide behind and or lean on in all aspects. Song writing, and performing. It's all on me, 100%. It is tons of fun, but the biggest deal is it can get a bit lonely at band practice. I drink my PBR'S all alone

.

I did however play with a real live human being drummer last night and it was most excellent, tho I feel a little like a sell out

.

zachoff · February 11, 2011, 07:44:16 PM

J Mascis is releasing a solo album soon of something just like this... You can listen to a track here: http://pitchfork.com/news/41513-listen-new-j-mascis-is-it-done/

Actually, never mind... It's not electric though every acoustic show I've ever seen of his is a lot of him shredding electrically through his acoustic. It's pretty rad.