Albums
There's been a hodgepodge of demos over the years. Some are here: Have a listen ▶. But these songs really need a proper studio and savvy producer(s).
Master Cylinder
I wrote these songs when I was 19. No love songs. I called it ‘music noir.’
Side 1
Side 2
The Gory Details
- MASTER CYLINDER – Have a listen.
- LET IT BURN MY EYES – Have a listen.
- POLTERGEIST – A love triangle between a ghost, a man and his wife. Musically, half Ennio Morricone and half Procol Harum. (a blatant rip!)
- FACTORY CHEST – Nonsense lyrics from word games the band used to play. Musically, comical Beggars Banquet, a la Dear Doctor and Factory Girl.
- SO THIS IS IT – Epic melodrama from the point of view of a dead man. A slow layered build, big choruses, ominous middle , and a grand finish.
- DYING FOR DOLLARS – I can’t wait to record this full blown Ennio homage! Jaw harp, whistling, rattlesnake guitar, soaring chorales and a trumpet solo!
- ALPHABET MURDERS – S Variety! I picture a Vincent Price/Roger Corman flick! Harpsichord, spooky vocals and probably some orchestration.
- JESUS SMILED AT ME – Have a listen.
- ALL MY LIFE – An ironic title for someone of my tender years. A stripped down sound, inspired by Lennon’s first solo album.
- LET’S HEAR MUSIC – Atypical, an overview of the early 70’s music scene. Musically, a needed rocker: guitar solos, harmony choruses, driving middle eight. And a self referential musical turnaround to finish the album. Play it again, Sam!
You Asked For It
I wrote these when I was 20. 10 gems, I think. I’d love a crunchy Who’s Next sound for this.
Side 1
1. Thirteen
2. China Doll
3. The Remover
4. Iron Maiden
5. My House
Side 2
The Gory Details
- THIRTEEN – 4 chords, layered buildup till it becomes a full blown screamer. Lyrically, tongue in bloody cheek. The heaviest thing we’d do musically. Raunchy is the word.
- CHINA DOLL – The prettiest damn thing I’ve ever written. I tried to match the music with love song lyrics. Terrible. My new words veer off into something more honest. Sweet.
- THE REMOVER – Not quite raunchy, but rocking! A jaunty tale of retribution by organ removal. Isn’t this more fun than a love song? It is for me!
- IRON MAIDEN – Grand Guignol! What does it feel like to be inside that slow death device as the door slowly closes and the spikes dig in? Bloody good fun!
- MY HOUSE – Rocking rip of Entwistle and Procol. Point of view of Old Nick was a swell idea, Mick, but the big guy upstairs comes out on top in this one.
- 100 YEARS – A catchy rocker to kick off side two. Short but sweet. It’s about a psycho who wishes he were a cowboy. Inspired by a Michael Avallone novel. Giddy up!
- TWO BOYS – Inspired by Thomas Tryon’s ‘The Other.’ This one’s close to my heart. For those of us who value fantasy more than reality. Might be my catchiest chorus.
- BASKET CASE – Inspired by Dalton Trumbo’s ‘Johnny Got His Gun.’ Tongue in twisted cheek. The ominous 4 chord progression is all majors. I surprised myself with that!
- EAT ME – Two minutes of balls to the wall rock! A little bit Stones with a dash of Motown. This one needs horns! Lyrically, it’s all about food. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
- CARNAGE – Have a listen.
The Greatest Show On Earth
I’m not sure how I wrote these songs at the age of 21. At open mic I joke that, like Loki, “I am burdened with glorious purpose.” If that’s true, this is the one. My Sgt. Pepper. Giles?
Side 1
1. The Greatest Show On Earth
3. Yours Truly Jack The Ripper
4. Ballad Of Lizzie Borden
5. The Show Must Go On
Side 2
6. Hail! Matador
7. The Ugliest Man Alive
8. The Eating Cat and The Tasty Scientist
9. That’s All Folks!
10. Ragnarok
The Gory Details
- THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH – It starts with a heavenly cascade of horns and sets up the circus motif. Jazzy break in the middle for piano man Joe.
- DANCE OF THE JESTER – Have a listen.
- YOURS TRULY JACK THE RIPPER – It rocks. One of my best. Cousin Jim went full Keith Moon on the drums in 1974! Saucy Jack gets a borrowed twist ending here.
- BALLAD OF LIZZIE BORDEN – The other big name in old-timey murder. It’s kind of ‘She’s Leaving Home’ with the bloody ending we all know is coming!
- THE SHOW MUST GO ON – Intermission! Old-timey chords inspired by George Segal and his banjo. I’ll need to tone down some of the more offensive lyrics. PC, baby!
- HAIL! MATADOR – Cousin John was doing a brilliant Spanish guitar intro to ‘Jack The Ripper’ in 74. But it didn’t fit the song. So I wrote this for him. Ole!
- THE UGLIEST MAN ALIVE – Written about John Merrick, aka ‘The Elephant Man.’ Actually, the prettiest song on the album. A plaintive cry for love. Heartfelt.
- THE EATING CAT AND THE TASTY SCIENTIST – Yeah, it’s as crazy as it sounds. I love this one. It needs ‘Psycho’ strings. And I like how the title gives away the plot. Twisted.
- THAT’S ALL FOLKS! – Ragtime style, asking the crowd to leave, while they still can! Jaunty and ominous! Scott Joplin break in the middle for piano man Brian.
- RAGNAROK – This was blowing up Master Cylinder and taking a new direction. What was that? I don’t know. I stopped writing. There’s just this juggernaut of a song.
Nobody's Perfect
A hint of what could have been. I stopped writing in my early 20’s, the period where all my heroes did their best work. I suspect there would have been a rock opera or two.
Side 1
1. Once Upon A Time In The East
3. I Just Don’t Know
4. The Captain Vs. The Goons
5. Love’s Not Worth The Pain
6. Journey’s End
7. Bury My Heart
8. Crawford Lobster
Side 2
10. The Perfect Stranger
The Gory Details
- ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE EAST – I intended for this to be the title song of a Sergio Leone movie based on that Avallone novel. I would have begged Ennio for help.
- ASTRO BAR – Have a listen.
- I JUST DON’T KNOW – My stab at a Beatle-ish song. It ain’t bad, but it ain’t that! What is? I modulated twice, a trick the Beatles never had to use. Still, a decent jangler.
- THE CAPTAIN VS. THE GOONS – One minute of nonsensical fun. A bit of a nick of ‘Rael.’ You don’t mind, do ya Pete? This whole side is inspired by Sell Out.
- LOVE’S NOT WORTH THE PAIN – My first breakup song, written in 76, the only finished tune from what should have been my prime. Typical lyric. But damn, them chords!
- JOURNEY’S END – The other one minute song. Some kind of Lord Of The Rings type nonsense. Inspired, but not ripped, by ‘Rael 2!’ I love ya, Pete!
- BURY MY HEART – Another breakup song! What the ****! Standard chords, another modulation. But the lyrics are from the heart, and I gotta say, they’re pretty damn good.
- CRAWFORD LOBSTER – Another jingle (see Astro Bar). Written for a place I worked in Kittery, Maine! Pretty catchy. Nice bridge. La la la la la la lobster!
- THERE’S NOTHING WRONG – Have a listen.
- THE PERFECT STRANGER – This takes up all of side two. Abbey Road with a storyline. There are 10 movements, each about a minute long. The movements repeat in reverse, so the music ends where it began. The narrative is linear. I started this in 76, and finished it last year. Rock and awe. If there’s any prog that tops this, I’d love to hear it!
Hard Stuff
This one rocks as much as the 2nd album, I think. Side one – surreal noir, maybe? Side two is kind of a sexual smorgasbord. Perhaps this is my mid-life crisis album. Years were wasted…
Side 1
2. Firefly Brigade
3. I Think I’m Dreaming
4. Sad And Lonely
5. The Reason Why
Side 2
6. She’s Got Both
7. Christina Don’t
8. Spank!
9. Ugly Side Of Love
10. Muscle Beach
The Gory Details
- THE SMELL OF INCENSE – Have a listen.
- FIREFLY BRIGADE – I wrote the 1st verse in NH many years ago, and wrote the 2nd and 3rd in NC last year. I don’t know what it means, but it feels good. Spacey.
- I THINK I’M DREAMING – Based on dreams I actually had. Not happy dreams, though. Kong, Aliens, Body Horror. A bit unsettling, but it rocks like Heart!
- SAD AND LONELY – Some kind of cry for help, I think. I like when lyrics flow and I’m not sure what they mean. I believe 100 acoustics will give this the yearning sound it needs.
- THE REASON WHY – I love this one. A catchy alt/grunge/ punk rocker with screaming guitars and wise ass lyrics that mean who the hell knows! But they make me grin.
- SHE’S GOT BOTH – Many years ago, I woke up with this perfect chorus in my head. It rocks effortlessly. Are the lyrics PC? If my heart is my judge, yes. Dance! Celebrate!
- CHRISTINA DON’T – Well, this one is a bit raunchy. It’s about a young lady who loves sex. OMG! Stones-like. With a nice harmony chorus and a bitching middle eight.
- SPANK! – Again, Stones-like! Again, raunchy! Yes, it’s about what the title says! It’s okay to let the woman be the boss. In fact, it’s generally wise. DO NOT CANCEL!
- UGLY SIDE OF LOVE – Well, it’s the same old story. You know, how falling in love can lead to pain. It fits this album cos it’s a bit over the top, drama wise.
- MUSCLE BEACH – Probably the same guy from ‘Spank!’ graduating to bodybuilder! Part Beach Boys, part Ronstadt and a fade out that a hair metal band would kill for!
Kalliope
In Greek Mythology, Kalliope is the muse of song and dance. An extreme juxtaposition from the previous album. Side one is for the ladies. Side two for the children. Let’s expand the band.
Side 1
1. You’re Not The Face
2. Sue Ellen
3. It’s Magic
4. You Look So Fine
5. Texas Two Face
Side 2
The Gory Details
- YOU’RE NOT THE FACE – May I write about female empowerment? Please? Lesley Gore is gone, but I know some ladies who can rock this! Maybe ‘Fanny’ as the band!
- SUE ELLEN – My best friend from NH, and one of my muses. Our co-workers at Tuttle’s Farm, Marie and Emily, had namesake songs. Sue Ellen didn’t. I fixed that. It also rocks.
- IT’S MAGIC – Another stab at a Beatle-ish song, with a little Help! from a friend. I dreamt that John Lennon and I were singing together, and it went something like this.
- YOU LOOK SO FINE – A birthday milestone for Sue Ellen inspired this. If we could all age as gracefully as she! This rocks in a primal way, with a sweet, hooky chorus.
- TEXAS TWO FACE – I tried to write a country song for the two ladies my friend Brian recruited to sing ‘Nevaeh.’ I’m hoping they won’t mind singing a rocker. I can’t help it!
- TIE DIE – For all of us who’ve suffered some sort of abuse as children. An unspeakable epidemic. Musically, a strong 3 part harmony. I’d love to get ‘The Chicks’ to sing this.
- VIOLET – A gift for my NH friends when they had their first baby girl! Just acoustic and vocal for this, I think. Can I get Nancy Wilson to play? Please?
- A SONG FOR KINSEY – Have a listen.
- NEVAEH COME BACK – My friend Brian produced and got the amazing Kaylee Starr to sing on the demo. Music therapy gives me hope. I hope it helped this sweet little girl.
- NIXZMARY AND ZYMERE – This was tough to write. And tougher to sing. Google the names. You’ll see why. Shouldn’t protecting our children be the most important thing?
Mind Fields
I guess this is my ‘Odds And Sods.’ Different styles plucked from a 40-year span. Variety can be a theme, as well as the spice of life. More ‘music noir’ as well as some rollicking good fun.
Side 1
Side 2
6. I Come Home Now Ma, Hungry
7. I Wanna Play Baseball
8. The Stand
9. It’s You
10. See How They Shine
The Gory Details
- I’M STILL A BOY – Can a song about not wanting to grow up be an anthem? Why not? I believe you can remain young at heart and still accept responsibility for your life.
- DEAD HEAT – Young lovers on the run from the law. When folks would ask me for Bruce, I’d tell them that this was an outtake from ‘Nebraska.’ They usually bought it.
- ALL SCREWED UP – Have a listen.
- DON’T MAKE ME LAUGH – A bitter break up song. Maybe too bitter! Let’s see if I can make the lyrics more palatable before we record it. Circa 1978. Angry young man!
- MERCY KILLING – Same era. Another toxic relationship song! What the hell was my problem! Again, the lyrics. I guess this was all in lieu of therapy. I am better now!
- I COME HOME NOW MA, HUNGRY – Okay, this is more fun. Twisted, but fun! Murderous hillbilly sons, atmospheric sound effects, and ominous Ennio horns!
- I WANNA PLAY BASEBALL – Even more fun! The crack of the bat! The roar of the crowd! I promise, this will be the best baseball song of all time! Play ball!
- THE STAND – Yes, this is based on the Stephen King novel. Heroic music for the good guys. Then Randall Flagg comes screeching in for the maleficent middle eight!
- IT’S YOU – My short lived new age phase. I did figure out that being evolved doesn’t mean knowing everything. A bit pretentious, but it rocks through the platitudes!
- SEE HOW THEY SHINE – Speaking of pretentious, I wanted to sing this at the Harmonic Convergence! Piano man Brian brilliantly adapted this in the style of Ray Charles.
The Nadz
A collaboration with my good friend from NH, the prolific Don Semco. Look him up. He had a gift for melody. We were called the Lennon/McCartney of NH! Well, one drunk guy said that.
Side 1
Side 2
6. The Truth In My Eyes
7. Opposites Attract
8. I Get Lost
9. Lady Blue
10. Christmastime In The City
The Gory Details
- GIRL WITH NO NAME – Have a listen.
- LITTLE GIRL LOST – A sparse, gorgeous melody from Don. I tried to stay out of the way with a simple lyric that matched the heartache of the music. For me, one of our best.
- I’M YOURS – This would have been perfect for Roy Orbison! Another catchy, jaunty melody from Don as I again allowed the music to breathe with a basic lyric.
- WAITING FOR EMILY – Edgar Allan Poe meets Bobby Goldsboro! Another pretty one. And a much different ghost story than ‘Poltergeist!’ Atmospheric. Lush and spooky.
- ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE – For a change, I wrote the lyrics first. I expected a moody, King Crimson kind of thing. Don fooled me and rocked it out! Kind of epic, I think.
- THE TRUTH IN MY EYES – Good Lord, we wrote a Diane Warren song! It was that kind of big ballad music, so I wrote that kind of lyric. Take it, Celine Dion! Please!
- OPPOSITES ATTRACT – Kind of a loose, jangly Tom Petty feel. On this one I tweaked Don’s lyrics and added a middle eight. A 70’s B-movie put to music. Pop the corn!
- I GET LOST – A bit of a Beatles feel here. I tried to give the lyrics a Lennon lilt, circa ‘Rubber Soul’/’Revolver,’ in an attempt to match Don’s music. French horn solo?
- LADY BLUE – A prequel to ‘Opposites Attract!’ His Dad is the grifter. Her Mom is the cop. A Beatleish boogie with lyrics inspired by Elmore Leonard. Justified, baby!
- CHRISTMASTIME IN THE CITY – Don had the haunting tune and the first two lines. He told me to take it. I took it! It’s a classic anti-Christmas carol that I’m extremely proud of.
Savage Young Cylinder
It was between this and more sods. In case we have fans, I figure this would be more interesting! My first batch. 18. Young, dumb, and full of it! This will be a fun challenge.
Side 1
Side 2
6. 14 People
7. Last Of The Atlanteans
8. Sartok The Slayer
9. Song Of The Sirens
10. Tower Of Crimson Gold
The Gory Details
- BATTLE – My first! In 1970, Vietnam was heavy on every young man’s mind. A line I always wanted to change now makes sense. I just need to remember the chords!
- A NICE PLACE TO VISIT – Black humor. Subtlety has never been in my toolkit. And it sure wasn’t here! A galloping Ennio beat. Should I tweak some of the clunkier lyrics?
- A SLICE IN THE LIFE – Damn! Five musical movements. Almost a mini opera! And the lyrics ain’t bad. Just a regular Joe breaking bad. I’ll probably give it a tweak or two.
- SEE HOW THEY DIE – Have a listen.
- HIGH SCHOOL – Did high school have to be so bloody? It was in 1970. It inspired this fictitious account of a rebel without a cause. A florid, small town fantasy.
- 14 PEOPLE – I think this was my second song. Painfully simple. And clunky. Another somewhat tawdry tale of a medieval execution. Ho hum. Should I fix it? Or nix it?
- LAST OF THE ATLANTEANS – Namor! Yes, I was a huge Marvel geek. My own spin left him alone and on display, thinking about the good old days. For Stan. Excelsior!
- SARTOK THE SLAYER – The only reason this wasn’t on the first album was that it was too damn violent! A barbarian in our midst. I’ll need to soften that bloody middle eight.
- SONG OF THE SIRENS – I actually need to finish this. The chorus is meant to be the irresistible call that lured sailors to their death. Is it worthy? Hell, no. But I tried.
- TOWER OF CRIMSON GOLD – An epic sword and sorcery tale. I have seven verses, but not an ending. I will defeat this song, and revel in the lamentations of my critics!
Angry Old Man
I want to release this and the first album simultaneously. I’m not sure about the title. Mayhap something more poetic? 50 years on, I’m a bit more reflective. This time it’s personal!
Side 1
2. Love/Sex/Death
4. Ziggy’s Song
5. Let’s Hear Music Part II
Side 2
The Gory Details
- 2020/GO AWAY – Have a listen.
- LOVE/SEX/DEATH – Three parts, explained by the title. I used a 50 year old melody for the first part. Real love. Unbridled lust. And goodnight Irene. (means peace in Greek!)
- LITTLE GIRL I NEVER HAD – Have a listen.
- ZIGGY’S SONG – I wasn’t in NH when Sue Ellen’s dog, and my best buddy, died. I wrote this to cope. This song sparked the rest of the album. See you on the other side, Zig.
- LET’S HEAR MUSIC PART II – I added a prologue to the original tune, then went to riff town for the middle eight. How far we haven’t come in 50 years. The Fab Four still rule!
- ROAD OF PAIN – Have a listen.
- LOSING HAND – This is me, arguing with myself! Simultaneously bitching about, and taking responsibility for my life. If that’s a yawn, just dig the music, folks. It rocks!
- I DON’T KNOW – Confusion. Is it enough to not be an a-hole, or do we need to reach out. We know the answer, but not being an a-hole is a start. Musically? Byrdsy.
- LUCKY STAR – In this one, I actually count my blessings. I’ve never had money. Don’t care. Occasionally, it’s an inconvenience. This rocks, with a surprise musical reprise.
- LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT – Last year I found an old notebook, dated 1978, with the title and the first two lines. I remembered the melody. A fitting end, I think. Au revoir.