This tune is an old friend; one that I've been working with and playing live for years. I used such tunes to really hone my skills at live looping performance. It's an interpretation of what once was a Robert Fripp / Brian Eno work called "Evening Star", which was originally released in a number of variations. My interpretation consists of just two guitar tracks stacked on the loop machine and played back while I work the melody lead. It combines the serenity experienced while viewing celestial bodies on a quiet, dark night, with the intensity existing in the actual vicinity of the celestial body. Regarding my title: I'm hoping that future affairs on Planet Earth will be as well orchestrated and beautiful as what we can observe in the Celestial Universe.
What you hear is essentially a "live" performance in the studio; much as you would hear me play it at a live venue. I am responsible for all sounds and studio tasks.

Evening Star...tomorrow, The World (MaxSingle Version)- Groove Phil Ratio (Fripp / Eno inspired)

I was just a kid when the first Bill Cosby Show hit network TV. I don't remember much about the story plots (although I do remember the abscence of the "Laugh Track"...unusual for the time). What I remember most was the innovative Theme Song--which apparently was born out of a jam session between Cosby and the Quincy Jones Band. Kind of a James Brown tribute and parody at the same time! 
Fast forward another ten years, or so, when Van Halen's "Women and Children First" album hit the music stores. I was already a fan; but after all was said and done with the David Lee Roth era, I think this might be my most favorite V/H album. While it had a very "Lo-Fi Garage Style" sensibility to it (and the runtime was kind of short), the combination of material, performance and attitude really set it apart from their other works (good as they all are).
I've tried to combine the spirit of that "Cosby Theme" and the "WaCF" album in the tune I'm presenting here. I hope it works for you...

WhompaSetta (womenandchildrenfirst mix)- Egregious Phil's Bin instrumental - Cosby/ Jones/ Van Halen

Because this topic just doesn't seem to be getting resolved in a timely manner, I've brought this previously posted recording (now edited and remixed)out of the archives for continued contemplation. 
I've added some musical themes and phrases that didn't exist when Zappa originally recorded this song, but are definitely appropriate. See if you can spot them.
As just about always, I'm performing all musical and production duties on this recording. - Thrust

Compilation

Sexual Harassment In The Workplace - Zappa cover instrumental - Groove Crater Method

With all of the general havoc playing out around the World, there are plenty of opportunities to produce appropriate "soundtrack" music to accompany it.
Iggy Pop seems to be one of those artists who was ahead of his time in providing the raw material for interpretive takes on such music today. (You can find a few examples of this here on the "Howard Thrust SIDE 1 and SIDE 2" soundcloud pages)
"Fun House" has proven to be a very versatile tune when it comes to "reinterpretation". There seems to be no end to possible treatments of it!
The version posted here is edited and remixed from an earlier posting; and as usual, I have performed all duties from arrangement to performance to production. I hope it works for you. - Thrust

Fun House (Post-PunkTrance Version)- Stooges inspired instrumental by Groove Crater Method

Not being one for gratuitous nostalgia—involving ANY topic—doesn't mean I'm not into History...especially Oral History. 
The '80s were certainly a decade of change for Pop Music; as it was feeding off all of the changes from the '70s, and setting it's future course with that—and earlier decades—in mind. 
It went in a number of different directions, from the “next-level hedonism” of Glam Metal and EDM, to the “thrift-store” social consciousness of the Post-Punk movement (in it's many forms). 
As you might have guessed, Traditional Rock 'n Roll was getting “lost in the shuffle”.
That's where the tune I'm featuring here came in...and still resonates.
It was 1980 when Queen released “The Game” album; which was quite a departure from what they were doing in the '70s: Stripped-down tunes with hooky Basslines and danceable beats...and Synthesizers, no less!
Oddly—in terms of what became the “hits” from this Album—I found the Roger Taylor (Drums) tune “Rock It (Prime Jive)” one of the most compelling songs on it. It draws heavily on '50s Rock 'n Roll influences in terms of structure, but the lyrics and instrumentation seemed to speak to what lay in the future. (Taylor would continue to explore this in tunes such as “Radio Gaga”; of which I have my instrumental take posted on the “Howard Thrust SIDE 1” soundcloud page) 
It seems ironic that more time has passed since “Rock It” was released, than had passed from the '50s up until then!
In the period from then to now, it seems that the once-popular optimism about music maybe changing the World and bringing people together kind of “had its run” and fizzled out...and society is the worse for it.
I'm trying to convey that optimism in my interpretation of “Rock It”; while still representing things realistically—hence the “S.O.S. Meme”. – Thrust

Rock It (Prime Instrumental Jive) S.O.S. Version - MMountain Offensive inspired by QUEEN

Well,
 2021 is finally in the record books!
While we all remained hopeful for some real progress toward solutions to more recent problems (and some long-standing ones), the reality seems to be that we're just moving sideways, at best. 
“The Pandemic” continues—in spite of lockdowns and increased vaccination numbers. Natural Disasters continue on their “unprecedented” path. Prices continue to rise. Nations continue to “push and shove” each other. The list goes on.

In trying to figure what kind of music seemed appropriate for all of 
this (including our continued “hope”), these quasi–gospel related ideas came to the forefront.
The inspiration came from vintage Santana and Slade tunes. I've managed to meld the two into a somewhat explanatory and cohesive work, with a “Slash”--inspired guitar sound.

Let's continue hoping for a workable 2022. 
Thanks for listening! - Thrust

Why Oh Why? / My Oh My! (G'n'R Instrumental Gospel Mix) - Santana Slade Slash - MMountain Offensive

This tune has been a live performance staple of mine for quite some time. Due to the continuing "fallout" from the Pandemic, however, live performances have been few and far between, these days.
Not to worry--because I've brought a version here to the soundcloud stream!
It kind of plays out as a medley of a variety of styles of music and artistic influences (see hashtag list), all in the key of Bminor with a background groove inspired by none other than The Police, featuring drummer Stuart Copeland.
As per usual, I'm responsible for all arranging, performing (yes, the Bart Simpson inspired "space ship" sound was done live on guitar/effects as the last chorus and outro solo...NOT inserted post-production!), recording and producing related to this work. 

Eventually, "the light at the end of the tunnel" WILL actually be an "exit", and not just another "train heading at us gigging musicians". I'm so looking forward to that!
In the meantime, this'll have to do... - Thrust

Voices Inside My Head (FunkdUpMuzak Version) - Instrumental by Groove Crater Method (Police)

As we continue down the "Road" of "Global Chaos", I continue to come up with Soundtrack to accompany it!
Here for your consideration is a somewhat frenetic "hit it and quit it" instrumental, very much in the spirit of the "Garage Punk" scene of the early '70s--with a little extra in the guitar "chops" department. I was originally aiming for more clarity in the mix (which I did achieve; and can be heard on my "Howard Thrust SIDE 1" page - https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust/evrything-gonnab-allriteeven2ally-wfo-rnr-version-rock-instrumental-by-ab-normal), but I stumbled across this sound and just went with it.
Like the current World Scene, this tune is hanging on the edge of catastrophic failure...and seems to be o.k. with it. If only WE should do so good!

Thanks for listening!

Ev'rythingGonnaB AllRite...EvN2LE (3CarGarageVersion) Instrumental - a.b. dicchus (Shred Stooges)

I don't know...is “Manic Lucidity” even possible?!
Well, what with all of the chaos in various forms encircling the Globe, it seems like it's about time we had some; so I manned the Studio “battle stations” and got 'er done (at least as far as on the sonic side of things)!!
The general inspiration for this tune came from a major hit the band “Queensryche” had in the early '90s, the music for which guitarist Chris DeGarmo was responsible; as well as the instrumental guitar approach used by Joe Satriani (among others...maybe even a little “Electric Neil Young” thrown in there for counterpoint)...and, of course, the conceptual insanity displayed by none other than (the late) Frank Zappa!
So, if it sounds a little “ragged around the edges and foaming at the mouth”, that's only because I was semi-consciously aiming for it! 
- Thrust

Manic Lucidity - MMountain Offensive - Rock Instrumental inspired by Queensryche / Satriani / Zappa

Back in the mid-'80s, I remember a mainstream Pop/Rock Music trend involving a resurgence of “social consciousness”. It may have had something to do with talk of an end to the “Cold War” between West and East that had been going on for decades up to that point.
Many artists offered up contributions—if not actually defining their careers by the sheer volume of their offerings to this cause.
One contribution by a (slightly) past mainstream artist, Steve Miller—who was famous for previous efforts in the “socially conscious” realm—is the subject of my work posted here. While this tune didn't seem to garner the kind of attention lavished on his earlier work, it sure got mine; and is the inspiration for this instrumental foray.
Of course, as the World situation has played out, it looks that even though the previous animosity between West and East seemed to have some kind of a “cooling period” with the official disbanding of the Soviet Union, the Principals of that State are organizing some kind of a comeback in the “here and now”.
So again, we have to be exposed to yet another period of armed conflict between these same Powers.
And again, the reason for “socially conscious” artistic statement is with us now, too.
As usual, I am responsible for all duties involved in the arrangement, performance and production of this work. - Thrust

Blue Planet / Gonna See The World Turn Around - Instrumental by MMountain Offensive (Miller / Vai)

While I'm not a dyed-in-wool, raging “Experimental Music” fan, I do nevertheless dig it; and occasionally produce work in this genre.
This one came out of some interesting experience while tinkering with the YouTube Video Player. (You can check out my YouTube Vids here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAfG_aFKB0dDyp5mNl35sQ/videos) As I continued to progress with this tinkering, it became more focused...and finally yielded a rather “thematic” complete work!
The defining moment came during this process, when I realized that I'd heard something like this in a real-life experience...on many occasions, no less. It was, in fact, the audio and visual bombast that would hit me when I entered the Main Auditorium at the NAMM show in “full swing”! (We're talking the old-school, pre-Covid, pre-recession, PRE-PUBLIC(!) NAMM Show)
It bordered on “randomly chaotic”, while still having some kind of a “fractal root” involving a massive semi-orchestrated collective human musical endeavor! Not as well-defined as, say, John Coltrane's “Ascension”, but not wholly unrelated, either. Trippy!
So, here it is! 
While EIGHT MINUTES of this might seem rather lengthy to some, the reality is that this “sensory onslaught” would continue in some kind of a “rolling boil” for about the whole duration of the operating hours each day! We're talking like EIGHT HOURS of it!! Talk about fatiguing! 
Still, I've never experienced anything quite like it! – Thrust

EverythingAll@Once (Sonic Tribute To NAMM Show) - Experimental Music/ Noise by Egregious Phil's Bin

Every now and then, I'll run across a tune that, for a variety of reasons, is absolutely amazing—usually an early work...and then...I don't hear much from that artist or band again. 
Such a song inspired me to do this particular piece.
Many have heard of the band “Iron Maiden”; and may also be familiar with the frontman that played a large role in the band's climb to “superstardom”: Bruce Dickinson...often referred to as “The Bruce”. Truly a “larger than life” figure!
Well, he has a cousin (Rob) who also is a musician; and he had a band back in the '90s called “Catherine Wheel” (There's an interesting connection between the names for their respective bands.)
The song in question “Black Metallic”—from their first album “Ferment”-- was all about use of sonic “imagery” and “atmospherics”. This kind of music came to be known as “shoegaze”, since band members often were looking down at the stage to trigger and control a variety of “effects” used to get their sound.
This musical genre has since been widened through use of prefix “mashups” to help further define the type of “shoegaze” being performed.
Getting around to the song I'm posting here—inspired by this unforgettable original work—there now is one of those mashups that applies: “Darkgaze”...and it really DOES seem to be appropriate. See if you agree...

...and what about Rob Dickinson? He still is involved with music, but is receiving recognition for the pursuit of another passion: Building re-imagined Porsche 911s. And the name of his Company? “Singer Vehicle Design”! Makes sense - Thrust

Dark Metallic (HodadWarrior Version) - Darkgaze Instrumental by MMountain Offensive(Catherine Wheel)

This posting exists because I feel very fortunate to still exist too!
January 2023 as it turns out, was an incredibly tough Month to deal with: mainly due to extreme weather and its inherent collateral damage...and some really aggressive viruses floating around.
I too was seriously affected by these bogeys...maybe not as acutely as some others LESS fortunate—who suffered major property damage AND in the worst of cases, loss of life.
At any rate, I'm pretty much fully recovered—with personal health and the MMountain Studio otherwise intact—and ready for more music production. (I WAS able to keep up with production for my radio show “ESCAPE VELOCITY with Howard Thrust” during all of this! You can hear select shows in their entirety on my “howardthrustradio” soundcloud page)
This is my first release since all of that mayhem ensued!

I finally got to start on exploring the possibilities with my vintage ESP “the Mirage Deluxe” (after a fresh pickup upgrade) and my MOOG Subsequent 25 Synthesizer—not to mention my continued progress in recording straight into the Mixer (without using microphones!).
It was really intended just to further flesh-out and make some progress in these areas...but the result sounded good enough IMO to do a little production work and get it out to your ears.
I hope you dig it! – Thrust

ESP Jam In D Mirage (Sub 25 Version) -  Rock Instrumental by Groove Crater Method

Those of us that were alive and "at it" in the '80s well know that life in modern times is not nearly as straightforward as it was back then...and the irony is that it didn't seem ALL that "straightforward" to us at the time!
This is one of those songs that has been bouncing around in my head since I first heard it back then...along with the accompanying video--as this was right in the middle of the MTV heyday.
I always thought that there was more to it than the "sum of its parts".
Since it uses a rather "multi-purpose" chord progression, it only seemed fitting that I should eventually repurpose it in some kind of a "Rock Guitar" context.
So here it is!
Bouncing from one of the themes in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", I wistfully ponder the possibility of Music uniting the World and solving all problems. If only it were that easy, indeed!
The chosen guitar for the task had to be my late-'80s ESP "the Mirage Deluxe", fitted with thoroughly amazing Seymour Duncan pickups--but otherwise is "bone stock" original.
I got my new G&L short-scale Bass into the act, for its first recording session to date. Based on its performance here, it's going to see a lot of action in the MMountain Offensive Studio in the future!
As always, I'm responsible for all performance and production tasks associated with this work.

Thanks for listening. - Thrust

Doot - Doot (if only The Solution was This easy) - Instrumental by Groove Crater Method (Freur)

This is a track inspired by what has got to be one of the more influential Rock Albums in my World!
It seemed like to right time to put this one out: The World in General continues to be an increasingly less friendly place--featuring animalistic behavior from those in any position of authority right on down to all the rest.
I've been experimenting with tunings lately; and I've found that my somewhat "vintage" Gibson Les Paul Special seems to favor being tuned in "D Standard"...which is the original tuning employed for this iconic and timeless Pink Floyd number.
I've given this version an "outro treatment" employing a "Dog Combat Soundtrack" edit and mix (with light "phase", of course!); which seemed appropriate, since the original had some "Dog Audio Samples" inserted in it, as well!
As per usual, I'm responsible for all of the sounds you are hearing here--including concept, performance and production. - Thrust

Jam In D(ogs)...Combat Outro - Rock Interpretive Instrumental by Groove Crater Method (Pink Floyd)

While Van Halen's  "Diver Down" had to be one of the BEST "Summer Party Albums" EVER, there weren't necessarily any memorable "original" tracks on it, IMO...except for one rather brief MONSTER GROOVE passage which introduced the song "Little Guitars".
I've always felt that there were a lot of possibilities to expand and expound on that groove; and I've posted an edit of a recent effort aimed at doing just that.
As per just about always:  I'm responsible for all performance, production and posting duties you're hearing and seeing.

Thanks for listening!! - Thrust

Bigger Guitars (DK Jam - it - All Version 2.0) - Instrumental by MMountain Offensive (EVH / Hendrix)

Having many great memories of a wide variety of “Musical Experiences” during my “Formative Years”, they often inform (sometimes unwittingly) the “statements” I make with my current work.
Listening to a lot of Pop AM Radio during the '60s, I was impacted (naturally) by the virtual “omnipresence” of the  West Coast (U.S.) collective of studio musicians who became known as “The Wrecking Crew”...as well as what the Beatles were putting out at the time. A couple of (the many) standouts were Sonny and Cher's “The Beat Goes On” AND the Beatles “She's So Heavy” (more of an “album cut”, really; but I had access to LPs toward the end of the '60s!).
As far as our Modern World is concerned, many are having a harder and harder time observing all of the “Compounded Chaos” coming at us from all sides...and still rationally viewing it as “business as usual”.
So “The Beat” DOES go on—but at quite an accellerated and uncertain pace—while appearing to be morphing into some kind of “Dystopian Future”, at best.
I couldn't think of two better themes to incorporate in this piece in order to instrumentally expresss my reaction to the aforementioned Chaos.
It took some months of thought, trial and error before I came up with the work posted here.
Some notable highlights: I transposed both songs into the key of B (one Major and the other Minor—an octave down), and cross-faded the end of the first into the beginning of the second. The “white noise” that overwhelms the second part was recorded with a somewhat unorthodox—but very effective--”live looping method”. (As always, I'm responsible for all aspects of concept, performance and production involving this track!)

In the end...I got the sound I wanted...and was at least a little surprised by the end result! – Thrust

The Beat Goes On...but its gettin HEAVY (ToThe9s Version) - Rock instrumental by MMountain Offensive

As The New Year gets underway, I think it's fair to say that most of us would like to see advancement in the direction of "World Peace and Harmony". Beyond our control, however, we seem to be headed further in the opposite direction.
This song really captures the emotion of all of this...and does so without words - a method of communication that I definitely tend to favor.
As always, I'm responsible for all aspects of this posting: Including Arrangement, Performance, Recording and other Production Tasks.

Working hard to be part of "The Solution", and looking forward to doing so during The New Year. - Thrust

For The Love of God - MMountain Offensive - instrumental inspired by Steve Vai

Once upon a time (as I was learning Guitar on my first Steel-String Acoustic) I was kinda into the "Modern Folk, Easy Listening, Soft Rock" Thing (America, Bread, The Carpenters, Cat Stevens, etc.).
As things progressed, I became more interested in "Spirited, High-Energy" Music (Jeff Beck, Bowie, Hendrix, Van Halen ...and of course Zeppelin, among others).
What DID stay with me from those "Mellow Years" were some of the enduringly well-written tunes!
Here for your consideration is a Rock Interpretive Instrumental take on a classic David Gates/ Bread number. As always, I am responsible for all elements of Arrangement, Performance, Recording and other Production Tasks!
While the Bread version WAS "edgy" in comparison with the rest of their output, it didn't really come close to where Electric Guitar-Oriented Music could - AND DID - go!

...so I just HAD to go there, too! - Thrust

(Click on the link to hear my singleVersion posted on Howard Thrust SIDE 1)
https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust/guitar-man-shredbread-singleversion-rock-guitar-instrumental-by-ab-dicchus

Guitar Man (shredBread Version) - Rock Guitar Instrumental by a.b. dicchus (Gary Moore / EVH)

Howard is a guitarist, writer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, live performer, producer, studio engineer and online/onairwaves radio host; emphasizing musical communication through instrumental interpretation in various forms--at times employing spoken word, storytelling, reading or other audio sources in complement or contrast.
His solo live performances feature real-time multi-instrumentalism employing live recording and synching of loops and subsequent improvising over them.

Check out "Howard Thrust - SIDE 1"  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust for an additional 31 tracks posted here on soundcloud. 
Check out "Howard Thrust - Musical Monologues"  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-monologues/tracks for "story" with Music.
Check out "Howard Thrust Radio"  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-radio/tracks for complete Music shows, also here on soundcloud!
Check out "Escape Velocity with Howard Thrust" on KRHV every other Monday from 9P - 10P @ www.mammothfm.com or @ KRHV 93.3 FM in the Owens Valley, CA.
Also, you can now check out "Howard Thrust" on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAfG_aFKB0dDyp5mNl35sQ/videos !
Thanks for listening!

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