We are constantly sharing songs among the band, so we thought it would be fun to make some playlists that highlight some of our favorites. Enjoy!
Note: For Gerald’s playlist we made something special.
This entire playlist contains songs with Gerald playing bass.
You read that correctly…that’s Gerald playing bass on ALL OF THESE SONGS.
Congratulations to our beloved bass player Gerald Johnson on the release of his new record. We had the joy of celebrating at his release party last year at Edmonds Center for the Arts and performed some of the songs from the album.
Be sure to check out track 5 (All I Got), which features Sydney on vocals.
For all you fans of CD and Vinyl, stay tuned for availability later this spring.
Hey everyone, our good friend John Fromel, founder of the guitar amp & effects company Fromel Electronics, has been delving more into his photography skills recently, had has taken some photos at a few of our events this past year. We’ve shared a few of his photos and videos on our social pages and really enjoy his creative approach to everything he does.
John recently called to let me know that he was starting a new website called LightNotLight.com where he’d be sharing some of his photography work and asked if he could feature some of his photos taken of MSDS. We’re honored to be included on his page. Check out this link to see a some fantastic photos of the band and also some featured images of Gerald.
Oh and by the way…John also recorded a video of our live debut of our song “Demons” earlier this year at Edmonds Center for the Arts. Check it out here:
Welcome back to the “Rhythm Review with the Rev” blog series, where I’m highlighting some of the interesting rhythmical aspects of various songs that we play in the band.
In this post, I dive into the Johnnyswim classic “Diamonds” with kudos to a great version on “Live From Daryl’s House” where the band is joined by Daryl Hall and friends.
Well it’s been nearly 6 months already since this pandemic has dominated our lives. As many know, live music has come to a screeching stop around the world and it’s hard to know when things will return to what they once were. As a band, we had to postpone our March performance at Edmonds Center for the Arts. We are glad to share that the event has been rescheduled to April 16, 2021 and existing ticket sales will be honored (stay tuned for more info in the coming weeks). There is certainly a void out there right now without live music, but as a band, the thing we’ve missed most is just getting together and playing music in general.
Welcome back to the “Rhythm Review with the Rev” blog series, where I’m highlighting some of the interesting rhythmical aspects of various songs that we play in the band.
In this post, I wade into the topic of Zeppelin’s “The Ocean“, and how my take on the footwork varies from the great John Bohham.
Welcome to the new “Rhythm Review with the Rev” blog series. This collection of videos will highlight some of the interesting rhythmical aspects of various songs that we play in the band.
In this first post, I will note some of the key sounds and patterns that Ringo laid down in “Come Together,” as well as areas where our version differs from this incredible song from the Beatles.
We sometimes think strange thoughts about our heroes. I had pondered that question every once in a while about one of my heroes, Neil Peart, who loomed large as the most important drum teacher in my life. Not in person, of course. But via Rush’s extensive catalog, I – along with tens of thousands of other drummers – grew and learned a vast vocabulary under the tutelage of my “virtual” professor.
Sadly, the question that I had asked myself periodically over the years was answered all too abruptly last week when I learned, along with the rest of the world, that Peart had passed away from brain cancer on January 7 at 67 years young.
(more…)Summers in the pacific northwest are incredible. For a brief window of time, the rain stops and we look around to once again realize that this place is absolutely beautiful. Music is vibrant all over and people love to take it all in before the clouds return. The summer of 2019 was another great one for MSDS and friends. As we reach for our warm coats and stocking hats once again, I felt it was worthwhile to reminisce a few highlights that Miss Sydney and The Downtown Saints had over the past few months:
Nine years ago today I wrote a brief Amazon review “Power Windows,” a 1985 gem in the Rush album catalog that I think deserves re-consideration, and has been often maligned. If you’ve never listened to it, give it a listen on a nice summer drive and see if you don’t agree with some of what I share below. Enjoy! – Ben
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