Songwriting (Algebra) 101 (I tried to post this yesterday, but the site was "undergoing maintenance")

Your Structural Key:

A=verse
B=chourus
C=bridge
D=other fucked up shit you wanna put in to your song!

Mosta your basic music is Verse-Chourus-Verse stuff so that is

A-B-A-B

Then you have a bit more advanced structure when you want to link the first half of the song with the second that is called a Bridge, so that goes;

A-B-A-B-C-A-B

Then when you really wanna get advanced you can have a D section or Coda at the end (if you wanna fuck your head all up remembering all that structure)

A-B-A-B-C-A-B-D

You can use any permutation of this equasion and it should work as long as you keep your sections a uniform length (so be sure you have mastered counting the length of measures first!) It all becomes pretty formulaic after that.

Good Luck!

Wow that's quite a story. I'd be pretty pissed if I sat on a needle. I think that's some good advice about the lyric book. I remember hearing or reading somewhere that you should write and then put the song in a jar for a few weeks or however long. That way you can evaluate what you've written with a fresh perspective. Of course I have no idea if that's really the way to go cause I haven't tried it. :)

Hey Jamie,

My first song I made was kinda fucked up. You could say I was like really into The Stooges at the time so the lyrics were very simple. But the inspiration was from by ex band mate who sadly became a junkie. He happand to come by my work at one of those retail stores, you know K-Fart, to steal some shit to hock for junk. The thing is he somehow he got into my car to hide all his needles under my seat cover and unknown to me when I hop in to go to lunch i get fuckin pricked all over my ass with like 3 spikes! So I'm thinking great I got fuckin HIV now, fuck!!!...I ended up tossing his shit out and looking for him but couldnt find him. I was so pissed I ended up a this parents all worried and shit I got freakin aids and they tell me he does like to share needles and that hes been tested an all that. So I wrote a very depressing song about my mortality and how I'm gonna end his. The thing is...the song was very theraputic because I actually would never want to hurt the guy, he was my bandmate who I loved very much and I was very sad to see him and all my other bandmates lives disintergrate from the begining from their addiction. Ray where ever you are..stay up! Back to subject...I keep a lyric book and just keep writing. A lot of the shit I write pretty much sucks but every once in a while I suprise myself. It also helps because if you keep a lyric book there are certain phrases that can be interchangable with other songs you may develope in the future. Cut and paste foo!!

I'm here

Well, I think The Rockin Vickers did one (one of Lemmy's first bands...way before Motorhed), The Sonics (who I'd thought MIGHT be the original), and The Lyres. I hadn't even heard about these other 2 versions!

The version Ive got is by Jimmie & the Rackets. What version do you have ?

Is it Bill Haley maybe?

wow...I just crapped myself. What a hell of a good Terrastock line up AND it's on the EAST Coast...

Here is a link to my weekly Podcast. This week's edition features The Sonics, The Masonics, 7" vinyl from the Bedrock label, new stuff from Thee Cormans and
The Rippers. Also heaps of caveman Garage Rock from The Makers, Morlocks, Urges and Purple Things, some 80's action from Agent Orange and Killing Joke, and one whole side of The Rockats 'Live At The Ritz' LP.

maybe you dig my show!!!!

let me know.....

JM Witty Child of the Sixties on podomatic.com...see member "Poet Jim" on this site

Ready Steady A Go-Go at nanker.podomatic.com...see member "Michael Lynch" on this site

I think "Eggman" has a podcast but shame on me I haven't gotten around to listening yet.

What do you mean it tries to reorganize your files? I don't have any problems with iTunes at all...

Thanks Kopper but I have been loading the mp3 player with heaps of new podcast, just had to follow the links.

Sorry, I'm a bit late on this but wanted to reply... check the Zines & Radio Shows group here (which is for podcasts, too). Even some of the regular radio shows are posted online in podcast/MP3 format so you can download episodes. Lots of great ones to hear! Have fun.

MUCK AND THE MIRES will be playing three shows at SXSW: THURSDAY March 13 2008 Cheapo Discs Free Afternoon in-store appearance. 3PM Set. 914 N. Lamar ( corner of 10th and Lamar) FRIDAY March 14 2008 Sonny's Vintage Shop -- Free Afternoon in-store appearance with the Cynics, Paul Collins Beat. 2PM Set. 2928 Guadalupe. FRIDAY March 14 2008 SXSW Official Showcase @ BD RILEY'S 204 East 6th Street 11PM Set. With The Chevelles (AU), Mockinpott (Mexico), The Downbeat 5 & Magic Christian (Featuring members of BLONDIE, FLAMING GROOVIES & THE PLIMSOULS)

Hahaha, it still needs a little work on it. At the moment it has been stripped of all the electronics. They're off to the USA for some servicing. Not looking much of a companion at the moment!

No problem.
I hope you're Starstream is a faithful companion for years to come.

Hi Dan
Thanks very much for your kind response, but I kinda gave up and sold the guitar.
Kind regards
Chris

Hey Chris... If you're still looking for a pick up I've got a Vox Spitfire that I've been cannibalizing for parts. If you think it's the right style/size, lemme know and it's yours. Here's a link to a photo... http://www.voxshowroom.com/us/guitar/spitfire.html

Just arrived yesterday! Our new "instrumental EP" 7" is ready to go! Featuring five songs and linear notes by Don Craine! We released this one on our own label, Wee Rock Records (www.weerockrecords.com) for the first time since 2003! Go to the website to order it! Or soon get it through Get Hip, Soundflat and a few other labels that we trade with! I hope this was the correct place to put this!

i forgot W.A.S.P! with songs like Animal (Fuck Like A Beast), Harder Faster, 95-N.A.S.T.Y, Sex Drive, On Your Knees, Don't Cry (Just Suck) & the list goes on. they get a 9 out of 10 on the sleeze ball meter!!!

i just saw nashville pussy open for rev horton heat and hank III. good show and definatly sleezy. i give 'em a 7 out of 10 on the sleeze ball meter.

Nashville Pussy. Their shows generally go off, and it is very much "in your face rock and roll".

One word.The Fugs

Thanks to all who showed up Sunday March 2nd for Gregor's Memorial here in Seattle. It was a good one. Stories were shared (and some incredible footage of the Telepaths playing live!), old connections (and some new ones) were re-setablished. It was a real gathering of the Old School Seattle Punk scene (one I was too young to be involved in!) I felt Honored and Privileged to have been in the company with many of these folks. I hope Gregor will be remembered well.