3/27/15 remix.  This is a recording that in a way I wish I didn't need to make.  My first music collaborator Greg Stilwell unexpectedly passed away on August 16, 2012.  Greg and I began playing and writing songs together when we were barely teenagers back in the early '70s, and continued to do so until 1984 when our band Doubletake split up.  While we had each gone down different paths, we still kept in contact and even had a Doubletake reunion show in 1999.  This song, "I Don't Want To Know," was written by Greg & I circa 1983, and though we performed it at shows it never got properly recorded.  As a tribute to the memory of my dear friend, I present it to you.  (And I hope he would approve of my adding the Eastern instrumentation - it seemed so appropriate.)  If you knew Greg or not, I hope you enjoy this as much as I did performing it.  Here's to you, Greg!

I Don't Want To Know

This song was originally written in 2007, and at the time I was not overly thrilled with it for some reason.  It felt kind of forced.  Upon a recent listen, it dawned on me what was wrong with it, and I quickly did a bit of fat trimming and rearranged it as an homage to Brian Wilson's Beach Boys production style circa 1965.  I dedicate this recording to my beautiful friend Karen whose prodding made the re-examination and subsequent rebirth possible.

3/27/15 remix.

Keep My Hands To Yourself

"No Secret" is essentially the story of a band named Secret Society (hence the title) that I was in back in the first half of the '90s. Like most bands, we started with the best of creative intentions and then proceeded to deviate from those plans, succumbing to the usual desires & demons, and finally disintegrating. It could really be about any band, but considering that I wrote the song…
Surprisingly enough, there will be a Secret Society reunion in August 2015 with all members participating…something we swore we'd never do.  I guess the old adage holds true:  Never say never.
3/27/15 remix.

No Secret

Pure sugar for those with a sweet tooth.  This was written in 2008, and was another victim of my being dissatisfied with the demo.  Partly because I was under the weather at the time (and my voice was uncooperative), and partly because I hadn't truly sussed out the proper groove.  Upon recently acquiring some new inspiring drum samples, I stumbled across the simple cowbell -driven groove while exploring and playing the new sounds (in real time, thank you - no loops here), and voila!  I have a love for bubblegum, and this pretty much proves it.  (And yes, there is a familiar guitar riff quoted by the 12-string...sue me.)
3/27/15 remix.

Perfect, Precious And Unexpected

This song dates back to the mid-90s.  It is a fictional story.  Sorry, no dirt.  The fun part in recording this one was using sound samples from a software package called "Fab Four," which includes virtual versions of vintage gear similar to what The Beatles had.  So naturally I went all out Fab with the song arrangement, right down to the slap echo on the Lennon-esque lead vocal.  Enjoy!
3/27/15 remix.

Smile Is A Thin Disguise

This song was actually worked up and played by The Oohs at what became our 10th and final appearance at International Pop Overthrow-Chicago in April 2011, however it dates back to my Secret Society days (mid-90s).  I've since put some final tweaks on the lyrics. (How about that $20 word "reciprocity" in verse 3 - that's a doozy!)

3/28/15 remix

Try To Ignore Me

Finally back to recording after some time spent remixing the previously posted songs - I dug this 1987 baby out of the archives and gave her a fresh coat of May-isms (as in Brian) plus some spooky Theremin-style synths.  It's poppy yet dark, and I like it like that!

I Accept The Blame

"Letter Bomb" dates back to 1994 when I was starting to write material for whatever band project I thought would happen post-Secret Society and pre-Oohs.  I eventually abandoned the song because even though the lyrics are innocuous enough I felt that the title might offend people in this post-9/11 world.  Hopefully listeners will see beyond this.

Letter Bomb

Let's get cosmic with a little jazz-pop ditty about Nostradamus, shall we?  I believe this song dates back to 1988, and was originally demoed on 4-track cassette with the usual dubious audio quality which made it fun to pick out the harmony arrangement I conceived all those years ago…but I think I succeeded in retrieving the parts.  You be the judge.

The Man Who Saw Tomorrow

In the process of preparing to put the final tweaks on what may likely become an album from the songs posted on this profile, I determined that I was missing a key element - a proper album closer.  So I wrote it.  The song was inspired by my girlfriend Karen, AKA "The One."  I don't suppose I need say any more...

Finally Found The One

I spent 15 years in the indie power pop band The Oohs, based in Springfield, Illinois.  We produced three CDs and a handful of tracks on some compilations.  I've been performing (keyboards & vocals) for over 40 years, and have written many songs in the process.  Some of them are going to show up here, old and new, as I record some definitive versions.  All of these recordings are truly solo, done in "one man band" fashion - no other instrumentalists or vocalists were harmed in the process.  Thanks for listening.
P.S. - Don't waste your time or mine by trying to sell me "listener clicks" or whatever you choose to call it.  I'm not interested in your phony followers.

Brain Circus