Public Static Blog

So I know what you’re asking yourself.  Where are the Public Static shows?  Well we’re working on them.  Currently we’re hitting this with a two-pronged attack, using a classic pincer maneuver on the TC music scene.

The first is we’re recording some of the newer material to use for demos to get us into shows.  And secondly we’re continually writing new stuff so that we have something else to play once we get booked for shows.  So my plan is to book us many shows as soon as we can finish a decent demoing of current PS auditory fun-ness.

So whats new with you?  I feel like I dominate the conversation on this blog.  You want to share?

Ok, since you’re just going to sit there quietly, allow me to break this awkward silence you’ve brought about.

Doran and I met to sketch out a couple new songs last week.  It was fun, and a departure from my usual writing routine.  Typically I try to find a hooky vocal and guitar line simultaneously.  Now I’m going to be going back and trying to write a vocal melody and lyrics over existing guitar work.  I’m intrigued by how the results will turn out.

Last weekend I attended the Sloppy Chops Pickin’ Party again.  This time I got to see robotboy do their thing with acoustic guitars and a stripped down set.  Was pretty awesome if you ask me.  They are too humble to admit it, but they have a really cool sound that works in both quieter and ear-splitting settings.  I wish they played more often.

Tomorrow we’re playing Justin’s block party again.  I hope its not too hot.  I think outdoor shows are tough.  Controlling the sound and levels is tough to do yourself, and hearing yourself is often nigh impossible.  I wish us luck.

Talk at y’all again soon.  Hopefully you’ll participate a little more next time.  Just sayin…

Nick

So remember the time where I promised to start blogging more, sharing my thoughts, aspirations, and news with you the reader.

… Sorry about that.  It’s been a while.  But here I am, nevertheless.

So, July 1o was my birthday!  I turned 29.  It was eventful.  If you’re reading this, you were probably there, in one form or another.

Then on July 11th we played with the folks at the Sloppy Chops Pickin Party, which was a collection of musicians getting together and sharing their sets, or sitting in on each other’s sets.  It was a pretty fun time all around.  The format was loose, and for the most part acoustic.  It was held at the Eagles club in the Seward neighborhood here in Minneapolis, which is basically an American Legion.  The venue had two halls, and we were in the smaller one.  In the larger one was a dance hall that had a great cover band playing a lot of dance classics from the mid to later part of the 20th century.

Joining us at the Pickin’ Party was Jamie Parker and Craig Phillips of Makeready, who sounded much like the straightline gospel/folk/rock the likes of Johnny Cash.  Also there were Thom Middlebrook and Kristi Rendahl who formed the Tin Pan Allies.  Thom is a hilarious guy with great chops, and Kristi had a wonderful voice!  Also present was Steve Yernberg of The Ashtray Hearts, who played several sets with Thom accompanying.  It was a great night, and some of my friends whom I haven’t seen in a long while made it out, so it was a great birthday present for me!

Next Pickin’ Party is Aug. 8.

In other news, congratulations to Ryan our new bassist.  He recently proposed to his girlfriend of two years!  Awesome.

And yet more good news, Ryan has a studio in his basement and we’re laying down a few of Public Static’s newer songs, and if you can keep a secret…I’m working on some brand new material as well, the sound of which is something of a departure from previous PS soundage.

Ok, thats all I can give you for now.

Bears…Beets….Battlestar Galactica.

Nick

Since Demetria and the band parted ways earlier this year, we’ve been searching for someone to fill out the low end.  But beyond that, we wanted to find someone who would add a new facet to our sound.  Complimenting our sound and  contrasting it.

Introducing Ryan.  He’s cool.  So cool, I played like I was Larry King and interviewed him.  Except cooler.

Read on fearless reader…read on…

—————-

nick: Hey Ryan, who are you?

ryan: The name’s Ryan Griggs and I’m a 27yo regular nerd (as opposed to a “special” nerd).   I enjoy a large variety of activities and especially anything involving the outdoors. A nerd that likes the outdoors? Yeah, I’m strange.

I also like long walks on the…nevermind.

ryan: I started out in music early on by learning the violin. I chose violin because I asked my teacher which instrument was the hardest to be the best at and twenty years later I still love it!  I learned bass guitar because of a song I heard, actually. I had always been fascinated by bass, but once I heard the bass line in the song Tisbury Lane by Mae (fantastic band, check them out if you don’t know of them) I just HAD to learn that bass line. It just so happens one of my housemates at the time had a crappy bass lying around, so it worked out well.

ryan: My day job is as a software developer for a small software company.   Outside of that, most of my time is consumed by mountain biking, disc golfing, ultimate frisbee, music, spending time with my girlfriend and playing with my puppy (not necessarily in that order!).

ryan: This is somewhat of a trick question, since the Orc or the Elf could both be either mages or fighters depending on their skillset and/or desired career path!   So, in return for a trick question, I will respond with an equally tricky answer. I’d most likely be a Elf Mage since I am tall, skinny and have loads of natural magic ability similar to the stereotypical Elf. I am incredible at Magic Missile.

I actually sold my +12 Sword of Awesome and traded it in for a Sword of a Thousand Truths. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.

ryan: Strangely enough, I wasn’t even looking for a new band at the time. My roommate and I regularly peruse band want ads because many of them are pretty ridiculous. One day I ran across the Public Static ad and I liked what I read. I checked out the sample tracks and immediately contacted Nick. I’ve had the songs stuck in my head ever since!

ryan: I dig all of them so far, actually. I don’t think I have a favorite yet!

nick: Next topic.  Lazor Beams?

ryan: Only when properly mounted to some frickin’ sharks. Or, in lieu of available sharks, angsty wiener dogs will suffice.

ryan: Yes, the most recent of which was a great experience with some long-time friends. We were pretty successful while it lasted and it will always be a fond memory.

ryan: Pretty much anything…my playlist is pretty eclectic. ~35,000 songs (roughly 14 weeks of elapsed time) of eclectic. That pretty much sums it up.

ryan: The common connection between people via music is what inspires me. No matter what culture you are from, expression via music can be understood and enjoyed by everyone. It is kind of incredible that music can touch each of us in completely unique ways. Like Michael Jackson, but less creepy and illegal.

ryan: I don’t have just one, but some of my favorites are: Mae, Mute Math, Project 86, Rilo Kiley, Swollen Members, Collective Soul, Rush and Clutch.

ryan: I’m sure somewhere there is intelligent life other than ourselves. At least that is what Fox Mulder says.  (editors note: the truth is out there.)

ryan: It’s usually funnier when it happens to other people, but it sounds kind of like a kick-ass way to end a night in Tijuana.

ryan: Nope, and nope!

ryan: Oh, definitely. I do it all the time. I prefer first class, especially when I’m on my frequent vacations to Phloston Paradise.

——————-

Welcome Ryan!

1988.

“You know what the gourmet here wanted? Hotdogs! You know what they’re made of, Chet? Huh? Lips and assholes!”

Great movie.  Loved it.  In fact, my birthday is coming up…if anyone has a connection to a discounted dvd rack.

But thats not what I’m blogging about today.  Last Thursday, myself, Marlo, and 4 of the best Public Static fans out there (Stef, Adam, Mel, and Mark) packed our bags, drove 211 miles up the scenic north shore and then hauled gear 3.5 miles up the Superior Hiking Trail to….  to what?

Commune with nature?  See how long we can go without showering?  I know Adam said something about killing a bear with his machete.  Maybe one of those things, maybe all of them.

All in all, we had a pretty good time! But one of the cool things to get out of an adventure like this was a reminder of all the conveniences with which we typically live.  From cooking food, doing dishes, using the bathroom, washing oneself, sleeping…everything takes more time and attention.  It’s nice to get away and do this, but I also get to enjoy coming back to my modern life.

I also get to take photos, which I haven’t put serious time into since college.  If we’re friends on facebook, you probably get to see more of them.  I’ll likely put more time into it.

I should get The Great Outdoors on netflix.

I’m going to be making a concerted effort to communicate more often with the  (i’m certain) many readers of this online journal.  However, FYI, Justin has locked this thing down so that you require retinal scans and a urine test to access it….so no promises.

Good news!  We’ve recently completed our auditioning of new bass players to replace Demetria.  While she can’t ever be replaced, we will need someone to step in, in her place, playing some of the parts she used to play, and standing roughly in the same place where she used to stand.  We will be making an announcement soon of our choice, but rest assured, they will not be replacing Demetria.  Well, not exactly anyway.  Sorta.

So my next goal is to get the band into the studio to record two or three tracks of the newer material to use in booking.  Our older stuff doesn’t get played a lot, and I feel we could book more shows with newer recordings.  Plus I just feel more honest about giving bookers a good representation of how we sound currently.

I’m going camping next weekend.  Cool right?  If I don’t get eaten by a bear, I should make it back to blog at you more later.

Oh, also there is a new album coming out by July For Kings this month: Monochrome.  If Swim and Nostalgia are anything to go by, it should be great!!

Cheers.

Nick

The peeps, homies, kiddies, swingin’ kittys, and swingin’ cats at UW-Superior were the best!  Word has it they want us back next year.   Thank you gals and guys who helped us load-in, load-out, and generally get loaded…on superb mocktails.

You kept me rockin’ all night!

It's La Trappe!!

At our gig in Superior, Wisconsin on 5/9, we performed with The Glad Version, a really talented (and friendly) group of guys.  Here’s a shot of them on stage: