It’s a pain in the ass that apple didn’t release Leopard sooner and instead added on to the current OSX Tiger with their 10.4.10 update (this also including a 10.4.10 v1.1 update). Every time I update my MacBook Pro with the lastest bug fixes Pro Tools never works and I find myself scanning forums all around the world including Digidesign to find out what the hell is going on. The last time I had this problem before I updated I checked to see were there any problems. After seeing no complaints I went ahead and updated. Shortly after I go to load up pro tools but it doesn’t move in my dock. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I thought to myself, quite possibly vocalizing it a few moments later and kicking things, basically a temper tantrum. I went to the MacInTouch site and it tells me that there is a problem with the OSX software updater and that I need to go directly to the apple site and download the combo updater. I do this and low and behold problem solved.

The next update that arrives I go directly to the apple site and download the combo updater and ignore the software updater. After I restart I load up Pro Tools and it doesn’t work. Aghhhhhhhh!!!!!! I thought, this time flailing around the house with my hands above my head shaking furiously. I find out later the problem was with Pro Tools, due to them bringing out an update to compensate for apples lack of consideration. So I download the update and low and behold pro Tools works again. Yipeeee!!

Last night I updated my quicktime software and when I went to open up Pro Tools it wouldn’t work. This time there is no information as to why Pro Tools is acting this way. Could it be that apple are a bunch of cunts?? Quite possibly. In saying that I would still never consider buying a Pc. I spit on Pc’s and fart in their general direction. It’s not really the hardware that bothers me because nowadays it’s more or less the same i.e. Intel in a Mac, but the OS; Windows I hate you!! I’ve tried using Pro Tools before on a windows system and I could not count the amount of times it crashed when I tried doing a simple task.

So this is a predicament. Do I stop updating my OS? But then what about the security updates for the airport that I’m more or less responsible for in our house? Do I chance it?

How about apple just cop on to themselves and wait until they have enough updates to release a combo update instead of these dribs and drabs that they have become so fond of pending the release of Leopard. Tell you another thing, I definitely am not buying Leopard for at least 6 months after it’s release for fear of pulling all the hair from my head!!

The band were there but without the drummer so I didn’t even know what was ok to move and what wasn’t. None the less the engineer of the night Jean Claude (I’m not kidding) told me to work away and do what I must. So I did just that. In the meantime Robbie was having trouble with the volume from his amp until the amazing Eddie (Slave Zero, part-time guitar tech ITF) rooted out the eluding channel settings and walla. Pam was shouting about her sound being muddy (Lady muck), again another problem, this time solved by Jean Claude and finally we were ready to sound check. Sound check over and time for drinky beverage accompanied by 3/5 of Slave Zero i.e. Eddie, Bob, Andy, Keith A.K.A. Moses Jones (Clergy), and Triona the prog queen herself.

Took to the stage at 10.30 and played for the bones of an hour. Couldn’t hear a thing* but it was good fun playing with two bass drums (Uh Oh says Jimmy). Another gig under our belts, fuck yeah. I’m not even gonna bother talking about the performance because I’m naturally gonna be bias, but Keith was there to review the gig and our E.P. for the website Drop-D. So we shall wait and see what he has to say. When we eventually were ready to leave Jimmy and Boo had gone to get the jeep and now returned with frustrated expressions. Once again the Dublin City Council or whoever does it had clamped the Jeep where it was parked. Gigs to Dublin always end up costing a lot and usually yielding almost nothing in return , but that has just been our misfortune and three is a charm or a shotgun to the face to the next unlucky clamper that comes within fifty paces of an ITF vehicle. Or maybe Trig and Boo can play a little good cop, bad cop with him/her. Anything is possible.

Thanks to Boo, Ed and Bob for their help over the course of the night. Anyone wanna come help next weekend?? Shout me. Muscles are a must!!

* was told later that it sounded fucking great!! Kudos to Jean Claude Kick Ass

The only conclusions I can come to is that the manager is jealous of my sexy legs and he himself impaired with a variety of skin diseases on his legs, was tired of my flaunting and decided to put an end to my bad behaviour the only way he knew how. Or that he himself is a “scumbag” of the highest variety i.e. knacker who ascends to a position of power, and in his fascist belief men cannot show off their legs in public lest the women’s corsets come undone and the children weep from such a cowering sight!!

What a fucking stupid situation altogether. To conform is the only way forward in this scenario. As much as it offends me to do so, the manager is god and I am only his humble fuck buddy, and at least he smiles while he’s fucking you in the ass and taking your money for watered down beer and overpriced shots!!!

After that we headed down to the Piper which is the venue for our next gig in Clonmel to check it out. We got some drinks in while Jimmy hung up posters wherever there was an empty space. It had a stage for definite and a decent desk, overall a standard setup. I remember thinking how nice it would be to arrive at a venue a week or two before the gig and know what compromises you’ll have to make, if any.

Back at the festival we waited outside while a play was in full swing across the way from us. To quote one of the organizers “..as soon as you hear the applause coming from there, you have the go ahead to make as much noise as you want!”. The tent was already full bar a few who hung around us outside asking how to become a groupie or a roadie. Everyone was so friendly that the atmosphere was relaxed, a feeling i never had before a gig. Inside we went and made final adjustments to our instruments getting ready for John McClane to sound through the speakers…..

On went the show, picking up momentum with every track. We hadn’t played a gig in a while (Carlow gig being the last one) but it didn’t matter. It was a great gig, also the freedom we had with time made it more enjoyable. All the songs we had been working on over the last few months were played and with such intensity. It was visceral!! It was fun!!! The crowd was cheering even between breaks in songs. We finished on an absolute high and probably could have played all night from the adrenaline that was left over. T-shirts were sold and signatures given out much to our amusement. What a fun gig!

I want to thank everyone that came and supported us on the night for your kind words and your enthusiasm and we hope to see ye all again soon. For anyone else we hope to see you at the Cd launch on Sat 21st or Sun 22nd in the Zoo Club on Parliment Street, Kilkenny.

Just so ya know, it doesn’t work out any cheaper to do things yourself and as a band in today’s industry it’s nice to have that element of control and direction. But sometimes it is just better to have an objective point of view and to just give in here and there. So i reckon from personal experience if you take your band seriously then do it properly and don’t try cut corners. Practice your instrument and know your part to play, don’t go out and get drunk all the time because you think you should because you’re a rock star. Drink when it’s over because a) You will appreciate it more and b) Your band will appreciate you more.

I’m going to practice now. Later. Keep it real 1998.

This post was brought to by the Letter “K” and the number “9″ like the movie.

Last night saw myself and Ken head to The Vinyl Bar, Carlow, for a night of metal. The lineup featuring Desecration(U.K.), Morphosis(Dublin), Ground of Ruin(Kildare/Carlow) and Skewered (Dublin) was a very talented congregation to say the least. I’m still new to the scene of engineering metal bands and it took me a while to get the right blend of instruments and at the right level in the mix. I personally can’t stand to walk into a gig where it’s so loud that all you can hear is the ringing in your ears, but then some people like that and they could call it venting. I believe if it all sounds pleasing i.e the right level of everything, you can win over any audience that appreciates music.

First up were Skewered a four piece a from Dublin. They were very tight with lots of breaks and pauses with most of their tracks quick and straight to the point. The lads have only recently played Kilkenny but i’m sure they’ll be back again. They finished their set with a cover of a Dethklok song much to my amusement. If you haven’t seen Metalocalypse yet please check it out. It’s the shit!!

Ground of Ruin “Filthy Groove Soaked Death/Thrash”, the 5 piece from Carlow/ Kildare were next to the stage. The venue was starting to fill up and the crowd were edging towards the stage in anticipation. I had seen the lads play recently in the same venue with Slave Zero and was impressed. Second time round and this time they are most impressive I have to say. The twin guitar riffs , choppy bass, solid kick Make a full chunky and very rhythmic sound, while the vocals deliver on top with ferocious independence. They have been working hard over the last few years and it shows.

Following them were 4 piece metallers Morphosis who are seasoned professionals. The drumming was fucking fast but i suppose it is to be expected here at gravity blast central. The bass drums were triggered as were all acts on the night but this time the snare was triggered too. I understand the reasoning for wanting a trigger on a snare as sometimes the volume can drop when doing blast beats, and this way all strokes are at the same level. The problem I find therein is that the snare loses all its dynamics (loud and soft) making it sound very unnatural, but very consistent none the less. Morphosis were an onslaught of brutality and pure aggression and projected onto the crowd turning them into angry mob so to speak. It’s all about the brutality.

Finally the headliners, Desecration a 3 piece metal act from Wales took to the stage. No messing around. These guys were set up in 5 mins with a grace of 15 mins, also having brought their own vocal mics. But then they do have 6 albums. There was an excitement in the crowd as the band were getting ready to play. They were a big deal and had the crowds undivided attention. Once they started to play I understood. For a three piece they wield an awesome punch to the face. The drums at high speed played effortlessly throughout and with a full bodied sound they raced through their setlist; the crowd roaring lyrics back to them and raising the sign between and during each track. Finally they got to the end but were urged to play more. Convinced they played a new track that hadn’t been played live yet, and stomped on to commence drinking time. It was also during their last track that the chaos began and somebody ended up over the edge of the stage knocking all glasses in the vicinity. Fortunately as the monitors were about to go hurling onto the stage(Ken’s jaw dropping), T (Atrax Mantis) managed to grab them and thus becoming a shield to the monitors. Thank you T. You fucking legend. You were there at slave zero too. The human shield. Next time I’m gonna bring barb wire and run it across the front of the stage. We’ll see who’s truly hardcore then.

Overall the night went well. No technical difficulties and all the bands and the crowd were happy with the sound. Yipee. No complaints. Carlow has a good metal scene that keeps getting stronger. I’m sure we’ll see some of these bands in Kilkenny in the not too distant future. In the meantime i would like to see some more progressive metal come our way. For now keep it brutal.

Over the past 7 months I have been recording and mixing the ITF E.P. It has taken quite a while I will be the first to admit. But when one begins a new project for the first time you don’t take into consideration all the things that go wrong. Even the smallest thing that is overlooked can come back and bite you in the ass when you least expect it. Smallest thing being the singular variety. We have had a non-stop roller-coaster of disappointment over the last few months to put it truthfully.

Between having tracks recorded and then not having the hardware to facilitate for all the tracks, finding a solution just to be confronted with bad intonation on all fronts, and then losing all the plugins that I had been taking for granted. It seemed that as soon as we got any momentum going we were pushed back further than where we had presently clung to. It was hard to keep focused on the end goal when it was so far away and a lot of the time I had lost my way.

But through it all we have managed to keep it together somehow. And now presently it’s very close and I feel very confident that it’s done to a professional standard. I just have a feeling.

It is at this point that I acknowledge the awesome power and versatility of waves plugins. For without these i would have been totally lost. The plugins themselves only come in a bundle are there are many types of bundles stretching from affordable to some day in the not too distant future. They are immediate and responsive and in host processing terms; there is little or no delay between tracks that I may have a high plugin count on. They have helped me shape our sound and given lots of ideas to work with when it comes to producing an overall quality sound. I have learned a huge amount in the last few months that i can’t say i would have otherwise. And knowing what I know now could have saved me a lot of time in the larger scheme of things.

On point of the CD I can say that the end of May will be a safe estimation of the E.P. launch, unless, there is a major zombie outbreak and we have to assemble the squad inc. Ross ‘the zombie genocider’ Costigan, Ken ‘the Katana’ McGuire, and Boo ‘the headshot everytime’ Keogh. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to this.

I shall keep ye posted.