Now What?

As of Saturday 2/23/08, we are homeless. That is the day we finally moved the contents of the industrial shop into storage. From 9 am to 6 pm we were moving and cleaning and loading and unloading. I'm glad it is finally over and done with. It is two days later and I am still very sore.

Now that the band has no place to practice we're looking into other options. I have no room in my little house for any extra equipment. Guitarist has a spare bedroom that he and his wife have offered to use for the drums. This is looking like the best solution but Guitarist is fairly timid when it comes to the possibility of being the noisy neighbor. I'm not too worried though. Drummer tends to play loud but the only environment I've ever seen him play in has been the shop. In the industrial area we were totally able to be as loud as we want with no consequences. I have confidence in his ability to tone it down now that we're probably going residential.

What's In A Name?

We have finally agreed on a name. We are The Marshall Plan. It's got ready-made cachet. We did find that there is another band with this name operating out of London. They have been on MySpace with this name for a few years, so they would totally win if it came down to proving who had it first. I figure we can use it locally and if we ever get to the point of competing in the same markets, we'll have to change. It is a bridge that may never have to be crossed.

Along with the ready-made cachet of the name, there is a ready-made ad campaign. Governments in North America and across Europe all had to convince their voters to participate in the Marshall Plan. There are posters and fliers in a whole lot of languages and with differing aesthetics.

Is This Thing On?

More recording this week. The deadline of our practice space going away looms large in our minds. We have been using every available hour to record. Drummer and I just spent 3 hours last night recording drums and vocals. I'm tired today but can only assume it will be worthwhile. We've got this Saturday, President's Day monday, and maybe some time the following Saturday before we help Drummer's dad move all his equipment into storage and clean out the shop. After that we're a leaf on the wind.

We're still working on finding a band name we can all agree on. Another major issue is replacing Bassist and possibly adding New Second Guitarist. I think we could use both. I was apprehensive about auditioning musicians but I think I'm okay with it now; maybe even a little excited. I think the process is going to be at least as much about personality fit as with musical ability. Also, since we're the ones doing the auditioning, we're the ones with the power. Besides all that, getting a few extra musicians will add to the band.

Getting Down With The Sickness

Musicians are humans after all. I have been down for the count for the past few days. Whatever bug is going around has kept me, and therefore the whole band, from recording. It feels like such a waste to be doing nothing with the space we have at our disposal. The clock is ticking and the pressure is building. I think this may also be a sign of where we are in our lives. My major priority at this point is to graduate in May. I'm sure Guitarist and Drummer have other things going on also. I feel like we need to at least get the drum tracks recorded before our space arrangement ends. We'll just have to make a point of going in and getting it done. The Beatles recorded their first album in a few hours. I know it is possible and I feel like we are capable. 

I'll let you all know how it turns out.