My Sweetheart The Drunk

http://turntable.fm/kaleidoscope_of_rock

I have a few songs I’d like to add a bit more too, if anyone has a bit of spare time.

I think we played really well tonight.  I feel good about it, and even though we didn’t have our singer, I think we still came through.  A lot of people of all ages gave us compliments after, and one even expressed interest in booking us for other shows.  It was definitely due to my dance during Thunder Crack.

No question.

There were 5 minutes until the next train.  I glanced across the platform, but there wasn’t much of anything going on.  Many folks in suits, glancing at watches, others talking to God knows about the upcoming project at the office, some clutching at their recent purchases, and others waiting exactly as I was.  I hadn’t been on the train in quite some time, and being so close to the edge made me nervous.  I could feel the raised yellow dots through my shoes, and the breeze and the three and a half foot drop in front of me made me nervous and paranoid.  I took a step back towards the pillar and rested there, ensuring I was composed.  Was it the fact that someone could have easily pushed me onto the tracks if they desired?  Was it the mere open space?  I don’t know.  I just couldn’t stand there.  

It reminded me of the stage.  Uncertain, alert, focused.  Any slip-up could change the entire course of the evening, could even “kill” me in terms of the audience tonight and security for an indeterminable amount of time.  I scanned the crowd for a reaction in-between songs.  During, my head is focused on my instrument, ensuring all of my limbs are where they should be, my fingers moving to those worn pieces of wood they know so well.  Parts of my body bounce in sympathy to the music.  The fog machine catches me off-guard, choking me for a minute.  The lights were the hottest I’ve ever felt, but I turned blue in their attention.  The crowd had no reaction.  They continued to sip at their over-priced drinks or pick at their sub-par bar food.  If there was conversation, I couldn’t hear it, and they were carrying it out over the din of the band and my part in it.  The song ended.  No one clapped, save for one or two.  Six songs later, we packed up.  That was that.  I headed for the train with my friend and brother, talking about mundane things.  I was undeniably disappointed. 

The train flew in at sixty five, the breeze blasting me in the chest, forcing me to step back out of instability and instinct.  I retreated to the pillar and waited until the train came to a stop.  I boarded, took my seat, and waited.  At least that went as expected on this night.

Active musician is currently holding a Fender Stratocaster giveaway.  The URL of the contest is  http://bit.ly/fU6wUi

As a musician and guitarist, my gear is the most important thing to me.  Obviously, the upkeep of my instruments and gear is of the utmost importance, however, as a musician with limited resources, it’s sometimes difficult to maintain my gear, never mind afford the upper tier of instruments.  For several years now, I have used a Mexican-made Fender Stratocaster.  The guitar has been my life, used in various bands, shows, and on countless recordings.  It’s a love story that would make Nicholas Sparks jealous.  Naturally, the guitar has become worn, and as a Standard Fender, the tone leaves something to be desired.  I’ve had my eye on upgrading to an  American-made Fender for quite some time, but have lacked the funds to do so.

I’m not a stranger to the Stratocaster.  As I mentioned in an articles published on Associated Content about Jimi Hendrix, “the Romans had their swords and spears, as the Babylonians had their law code, and as the founding fathers had their quills, so Jimi Hendrix had his guitar.”  In a second article about the Strat itself, I wrote about the reliability of the instrument and also commented on its’ widespread use, commenting that it has been “used by thousands of artists including Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kurt Cobain, Billy Corgan, Buddy Holly,” not to mention George Harrison, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, John Frusciante and many more, cementing its’ role in rock and roll history.  No guitar is as versatile as the Strat.

The reliability of the Stratocaster can be seen from the top tier to the lowest.  I still have my first guitar, a Squier Affinity Stratocaster.  Of course, it left much to be desired, but the guitar still maintained the signature versatility of the Stratocaster.  When it was possible, I purchased a Mexican-made standard Strat.  The Strat is the perfect guitar for me—incredibly versatile and reflective of my many and varied musical interests, from blues, indie rock, classical music, to classic rock, and everything in between.  The next step would be the American-made Stratocaster, and you, Active Musician, as well as any and all readers, have the opportunity to help make this a reality.

How will this guitar influence me?  It would become my main guitar, used on all future recordings, with all projects current and future, and the signature Fender sound, the jangle in the bridge, the smooth creamy tone in the neck would become all-the-more prominent.  The guitar would help me to sound my best, and continue to play the numerous styles that I enjoy playing.  The neck would play itself and I would be unable to put it down, helping to make me a better, more dedicated player.  Winning this guitar would cement my affinity for Fender guitars, and allow me to focus my limited means on other areas of my rig, including an amplifier, pedals, and other areas that could be improved.  The guitar could follow me to my grave, become a family heirloom, or possibly end up in the Rock and Roll museum.  This crimson guitar would reflect the passion for music that courses through my veins.  I’d hate to take a leap, but I could end up marrying this guitar, and you, Active Musician, could be the match-maker. 

Be Cupid, Active Musician.  Set me up.

-Sal Pisciotta