I see people posting pictures of their desktops all the time. So here’s mine. I keep it simple…and proud.

I’m a very high-strung type of guy. I’m pretty nervous all the time. It’s really getting bad lately because of the recording we’re about to do, the shows we’re trying to book, the new website we’re trying to get going, the new press kit we need, and on and on. For the last few days I’ve been playing my guitar non-stop and re-doing demos to make sure that when I record my parts they sound like a robot playing them and not a real human. I hate that. I keep telling myself to relax and just play the part like you play it in practice and stop worrying about it. Then I tell myself to piss off and to mind my own business. It’s rock and roll dipshit! Play it like ya got a pair!

Happy Birthday Dino!

I did something today that I never thought I’d do in a million years. I bought a Crate amp. God, it even feels weird to type it. It’s one of their acoustic series amps and they’ve gotten really high praise for years now so I said fuck it. I need something small to take to my solo/acoustic shows and this fit the bill. Here it is.

Speaking of solo/acoustic shows. I’ll be playing at The Billy Goat tomorrow night from 5:30 to 7:30. Come on out and hear why I picked a Crate.

Here are a couple pictures of our new bass player Mike Gregory if you just gotta know how hot he is.

Recording and website news.

Get the mp3 here.

The site is about to undergo some massive changes in the (hopefully) near future. So if there are any pics, or whatever, that you want from the site you may want to grab them now. We’re courting this really wicked web designer to do the new site. There will be a lot of new features and downloads so it should be pretty friggin’ cool. Stay tuned.

I just got off the phone with J. Christopher Hughes. He’s coming to practice Tuesday night so we can talk about getting back into his studio to start this record…again. We talked today about the possibility of putting a cover tune on the album. If you have any suggestions email them to us.

We worked on vocals a bunch today at practice. The three-part harmony stuff is really coming together. Mike and Nate sound really nice. We’re encouraging Dino to get on the mic too. If we can get four parts going that would be super cool. We’re all very anxious to get back on the stage to show you what we’ve been up to.

I’ve been listening to the John Roberts confirmation hearings the last couple of days. It makes me wonder how I would react if I were being asked to defend and explain my actions and beliefs from half a lifetime ago.

Senate Judiciary Committee – Mr. Johnson, could you explain to us the meaning of “Yeah man, I think Winger’s cover of Purple Haze is fuckin’ killer”?

Me – No comment.

Senate Judiciary Committee – We understand that you have engaged in chorusing an electric guitar.

Me – Steve Vai’s tone on David Lee Roth’s “Knucklebones”…have you heard it…I was just a kid…yes I’ve used chorus…dammit this sucks.

Senate Judiciary Committee – Your song “Invention of the Wheel” has nothing to do with wheels or invention. Are you a pervert Mr. Johnson?

Me – …

Senate Judiciary Committee – And about the booger eating.

New bass player announcement.

Get the mp3 here.

Warning! Super sweet and emotionally touching content ahead.

Not safe for tough-guys.

I got this great email from my mom today. It’s because of things like this that I wrote “To Mother from Her Son“. Here’s what she said.

” As I drove in this morning, I listened to “Home” – I have it copied onto a cassette several times – and listened to it several times. What a great song! I fail to tell you how talented and gifted I think you really are. The vocals are fabulous!

I am so proud of your abilities – vocally and musically. I should tell you that more!

And what a great dad and husband I think you are. You really are something! ”

For all you mothers out there, if you want your son to be a big hit with the ladies (like me) this is the kind of mother you need to be.