Greetings!  Derek here.

ALL OF THE SONGS HAVE THEIR OWN SET OF NOTES!  Details about gear, recording methods, my opinions on the track, etc.  I'm always happy to answer any questions, but it seems a lot of people are unaware you can get more info by clicking on the track name.

This is my personal page.. things that get here may be works in progress, miscellaneous wankings, alternate mixes, or none of the above.

I have played bass for Haji's Kitchen (1993-current); Thought Chamber (2006-2011); Somsara (2005-2008).  I also played 3 tracks on the Eumeria debut disc (2011)

PURCHASING MUSIC! (what a novel idea..)

If you want a copy of the Somsara disc, e-mail me on Facebook and I'll do my best to hook you up.  $5 including shipping for USA.

The first Haji's Kitchen disc is out of print, and only (legally) available digitally on iTunes.  Sucker Punch is available on CDBaby.com or iTunes.. just click the "buy this track" button.   The Thought Chamber disc is available on iTunes or Amazon.. again, click the "buy" link.  Thanks!

Vox - Sean Dailey
Guitar - Ed McMahon
Bass - Ricky Wolking
Drums - Danny Handler

“As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death.” - Leonardo da Vinci

In 2008, The Better Death started playing together as a band. Bassist, Ricky Wolking, and drummer, Danny Handler, lived across the street from each other and started making crushing grooves to keep their neighbors on edge. Handler knew guitarist Ed McMahon from school, and McMahon soon began adding to the miasma of sound. Ricky knew vocalist Sean Dailey from his time in the L.A. music scene and invited him to fly to Texas and yell over the radiant noise. Soon the sounds took on a life of their own and demanded to be set free.

Trying desperately to get to the nougaty center of the music they loved, “The Better Death” began writing. Creating a style that mixed hard rock, ethereal textures, advanced rhythmic ideas and deep harmonic structure, they gave up on genre and aimed at music. This has been dubbed “Muzika Originale.”

Finding other swimmers in a sea of floaters:

The first album was released in 2009 on Do For It records. Do For It Records is not a label but more of a collective of musicians dedicated to their own visions of music and based on mutual respect of the ability to make something beautiful and ridiculous.

The band began playing around Texas.

Many people were impressed by the hand, leg, and voice oriented acrobatics of the quartet. Some were deeply moved by the combination of subtle aggression and wild joy. Others felt hurt and confused by the surprising sounds dancing in their ears… many did not get to hear. Shows with national acts like Steel Panther, Electric Six, Polysics and others opened them to a wider audience. In Houston, Texas Buzz magazine nominated them for live act of the year. Dallas webzine Pegasus listed the band in their 10 must see bands of 2010. Indie Music Review said “easily one of the best albums we’ve ever heard, a clear nomination for album of the year.”

In 2011 the band took a hiatus from live shows to deal with personal issues. In January of that year, drummer Danny Handler was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an incurable inflammatory bowel disease. His struggles with this disease landed him in the hospital several times and made it impossible to perform live. While Danny began recovering, the band concentrated on writing and recording a new album.

On November 2, 2012, the band released their newest album “Day of the Death.”

Bass player, Audio Engineer/Sound Designer, fan of music.

Derek Blakley is following