So, quick clarification: I've finally split from my compatriot over at Film Elder Presents, because he insisted that I learn how to use the Internet. All of the old posts will have his name, but that's that. But here we go, unassisted into the great blue yonder of The Web, trying to say with constant bitching and YouTube links that I can't say with my music or the TV show because it's taking much too long to put all of that together.
Hello, cosmos.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
I know that I don't post in here as much as I should. There are currently several reasons for this. First of all, the show is on hiatus, and I'm going to relish not having to talk about my life at length for as long as I can. Also, I'm out in support of the new tour/show/album, so I'm rarely at a computer long enough to post anything. (Greetings from South Pasadena, California! No, I don't have any idea what I'm doing here either.) Oh, and I'm trying to record the new albums as I go, so I actually have to write something. Contrary to popular belief, we rockers can't just walk into a studio and make shit up. It just don't work. If I did that with any regularity, I'd totally banjax my whole career.
However, I do want to air some things right now. First and foremost, I'm slapping my head over and over the stupidest mistake. Look, my birth name obviously isn't Declan Dempsey. I was named after my father, and the birth certificate therefore says "James Declan Dempsey, Jr." My whole life I've either been "Young Jimmy" to my family, or Declan to my friends. Sure, a few have called me JD, but that's a very few, and I'd rather keep that to those few. My father has professional dibs on James and Jimmy, so I just moved to Declan.
The problem is that there's a much better musician with a very similar name. He's also much more famous than I am, and the last thing I want to do is appear like I'm riding on him. Heard of Damien Dempsey? No? Find his records, you undereducated American, and listen to them. A lot. He's a fecking genius, and the last album was way beyond anything I've hoped to accomplish. So here's the problem: If I concede now that our names are similar, I don't have anything to call myself. My da took all the rest. "JD Dempsey" sounds like a tosser name, and it ain't going on the album. What say you, audience? Are the differences between Declan and Damien sufficient, or am I finding another name?
I really didn't have to be thinking about this right now, especially considering that I have to be on air in a matter of hours. Feck.
However, I do want to air some things right now. First and foremost, I'm slapping my head over and over the stupidest mistake. Look, my birth name obviously isn't Declan Dempsey. I was named after my father, and the birth certificate therefore says "James Declan Dempsey, Jr." My whole life I've either been "Young Jimmy" to my family, or Declan to my friends. Sure, a few have called me JD, but that's a very few, and I'd rather keep that to those few. My father has professional dibs on James and Jimmy, so I just moved to Declan.
The problem is that there's a much better musician with a very similar name. He's also much more famous than I am, and the last thing I want to do is appear like I'm riding on him. Heard of Damien Dempsey? No? Find his records, you undereducated American, and listen to them. A lot. He's a fecking genius, and the last album was way beyond anything I've hoped to accomplish. So here's the problem: If I concede now that our names are similar, I don't have anything to call myself. My da took all the rest. "JD Dempsey" sounds like a tosser name, and it ain't going on the album. What say you, audience? Are the differences between Declan and Damien sufficient, or am I finding another name?
I really didn't have to be thinking about this right now, especially considering that I have to be on air in a matter of hours. Feck.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
America! Please shut the fuck up about Sacha Baron Cohen!
No, seriously. Those of us who watched The Ali G Show on the BBC are done with these characters. I'm sure that the new Borat film will be killer, and that's great. More power to Mr. Cohen; lord knows that he's earned every bit of his reputation. But please stop with the countless editorials and news broadcasts about him! Yes, we understand that he made a film, and that some of it involves satire. Who gives a flying shit?
Look, there's a movie coming out this Friday called Death of a President. It is shocking, it is daring, and it is one of the better films of the year. It uses retouched footage to create a shockingly realistic assassination of Pres. Bush, and then goes several steps further. I have seen one article about it, and then only from the archconservative New York Post. Cohen's character brings up no less than 1380 articles on GoogleNews, most of them diatribes on how offensive he is.
Yes. Yes he is. But Borat is also a fictional character, and his appearances are, in the grand scale, in the same vein as Spinal Tap. So stop talking about him like he was the be-all end-all! Christ!
EDIT: Maybe I spoke too soon. Check this out. Perhaps I should revise my statement to "Blogosphere and pundits: stop talking about Borat." That might work better.
No, seriously. Those of us who watched The Ali G Show on the BBC are done with these characters. I'm sure that the new Borat film will be killer, and that's great. More power to Mr. Cohen; lord knows that he's earned every bit of his reputation. But please stop with the countless editorials and news broadcasts about him! Yes, we understand that he made a film, and that some of it involves satire. Who gives a flying shit?
Look, there's a movie coming out this Friday called Death of a President. It is shocking, it is daring, and it is one of the better films of the year. It uses retouched footage to create a shockingly realistic assassination of Pres. Bush, and then goes several steps further. I have seen one article about it, and then only from the archconservative New York Post. Cohen's character brings up no less than 1380 articles on GoogleNews, most of them diatribes on how offensive he is.
Yes. Yes he is. But Borat is also a fictional character, and his appearances are, in the grand scale, in the same vein as Spinal Tap. So stop talking about him like he was the be-all end-all! Christ!
EDIT: Maybe I spoke too soon. Check this out. Perhaps I should revise my statement to "Blogosphere and pundits: stop talking about Borat." That might work better.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Is this the 50s or 1999?
Here's a real blast from the past:
Now, for all you kids who don't remember, this particular contraption is called a casette tape. This is how I listened to my first albums (Willie and the Poor Boys, Captain Fantastic, Man Alive), and was my preferred method of doing anything musical until the price of recordable CDs went down. Anyway, here's my first full-length album as it appeared on the market all those years ago. Natalie's got the CD in the apartment (and keeps playing it all the damn time, Natalie I love you but stop), but I was pretty astonished to find this little relic. The allure of CDs and iTunes doesn't hold a candle to the tactile sensations of the old plastic cases and constantly warping acetate. D'y think there's any way to get the new album out on tape?
(Tape image lifted from http://www.says-it.com/cassette/index.php)
Now, for all you kids who don't remember, this particular contraption is called a casette tape. This is how I listened to my first albums (Willie and the Poor Boys, Captain Fantastic, Man Alive), and was my preferred method of doing anything musical until the price of recordable CDs went down. Anyway, here's my first full-length album as it appeared on the market all those years ago. Natalie's got the CD in the apartment (and keeps playing it all the damn time, Natalie I love you but stop), but I was pretty astonished to find this little relic. The allure of CDs and iTunes doesn't hold a candle to the tactile sensations of the old plastic cases and constantly warping acetate. D'y think there's any way to get the new album out on tape?
(Tape image lifted from http://www.says-it.com/cassette/index.php)
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
I'm Blogging As Fast As I Can
Okay, so there is no new Declan Dempsey Show yet. Look, the last one only got 51 views on YouTube, so I'm not going forward until I've got something damn good to show to you. I know all about terrible product in this industry, as I've spent much of my career thus far appearing in shitty movies. By a show of hands, how many of you out there in Blogland saw After the Fox? Anyone? Oh, okay, zero. Good. All of you should be glad that Pole Position never got to theaters.
By any event, I've been putting together the track list for the new album. Pulling out the guitar and playing through these tunes is absolutely nervewracking; what the hell business do I have going back into this industry? Lexington Down hit the charts five years ago, and I've managed to up and disappear since then. Of course, if Jared Leto gets a band, I guess I'm entitled to one as well.
To answer a few questions I know have been floating around the Internet, here's the scoop: the lineup has not been finalized, it will be published under my name and not the "Gasper's Machine" band name, I'm recording on an old four-track to avoid piracy, I have no plans for it to be available on the iTunes music store, and I'm not going to reveal the title of the album until it's absolutely certain. There, that should clear a lot of the air.
I will, however, be updating about my travails in getting a new band together and recording the tracks. Expect a few updates here about individual songs and a few other tidbits. Can't wait to get this back on track.
By any event, I've been putting together the track list for the new album. Pulling out the guitar and playing through these tunes is absolutely nervewracking; what the hell business do I have going back into this industry? Lexington Down hit the charts five years ago, and I've managed to up and disappear since then. Of course, if Jared Leto gets a band, I guess I'm entitled to one as well.
To answer a few questions I know have been floating around the Internet, here's the scoop: the lineup has not been finalized, it will be published under my name and not the "Gasper's Machine" band name, I'm recording on an old four-track to avoid piracy, I have no plans for it to be available on the iTunes music store, and I'm not going to reveal the title of the album until it's absolutely certain. There, that should clear a lot of the air.
I will, however, be updating about my travails in getting a new band together and recording the tracks. Expect a few updates here about individual songs and a few other tidbits. Can't wait to get this back on track.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Gone forever.
I've not turned on the TV at all today. Didn't pick up my copy of the Times, didn't even go beyond St. Mark's. I don't want to deal with it. I'm not a strong man when it comes to these matters, which may explain why I left New York shortly after. As for my artistic endeavours, I'll let the new episode of TDDS speak for itself.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
This guy must have been King of the Wicker People.
See what happens when YouTube leaves the comments turned on when they post advertisements? They get this:
Please, please just rent the original Wicker Man; Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee are just that much better than Nicolas Cage and Ellen Burstyn. And yes, I am going to see the new one, but only because I'm a horror film addict and go to see everything. I even saw Jason X on opening weekend. Ugh.
Please, please just rent the original Wicker Man; Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee are just that much better than Nicolas Cage and Ellen Burstyn. And yes, I am going to see the new one, but only because I'm a horror film addict and go to see everything. I even saw Jason X on opening weekend. Ugh.
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