Well, it appears--@ least for the time being--that we gigging musicians are back to live performance once again! Woo-Flippin'-Hoo!! 
Of course, there's the inevitable Covid-based caveat in effect here:  public (especially indoor) activities will proceed down the “Return to Normalcy” path, providing new outbreaks don't rear their ugly head.
With that in mind, I've released this version of a hallmark tune popularized by none other than rock guitar legend Jeff Beck, from the “Wired” album which debuted in the mid-'70s.
Beck has been an influence on my guitar direction since his days doing straight-up rock and roll with Rod Stewart and the later Beck, Bogert and Appice project. 
Nothing quite prepared my for his foray into the Rock/Jazz/Funk Fusion thing he got into just after the B,B & A work, though; “Wired” being the follow-up to the ground-breaking “Blow by Blow” album.
This is one of my favorite tracks from the “Wired” album; and one that is a natural fit for my live loop based improvisation performances.
I placed special emphasis on the drum track—especially since drummer Narada Michael Walden is credited with writing the tune. With the recent addition of an excellent electronic drum kit to the Mountain Offensive recording studio, getting the sound I wanted was finally possible! 
As virtually always, I'm responsible for all the sounds you're hearing (including the arrangement and instrumentation); as well as all of the studio production required to get it from the studio to your ears, here on my soundcloud page.

Come Dancing (FlashingAmberSignal Version) - Groove Crater Method (Jeff Beck tribute)

Well, it looks like the “Natural DisasterTrend” continues to play out in new and exciting ways:  the latest being unprecedented flooding in disparate locations around the globe.
I've always liked pretty much everything about the Led Zeppelin rendition of the McCoy/Memphis Minnie tune “When the Levee Breaks” (a tune originally written in response to the then record setting flooding along the Mississippi River c. 1927). 
With the musical situation that I have going on right now, I'm able to get music addressing current topics out in a fairly unobstructed and immediate way...like my take on this particular topic and tune.
A few highlights you may enjoy are my use of a phrase from the Jimmy Driftwood song “Battle of New Orleans” (popularized later by the Johnny Horton version) early in the tune, as well as the use of a Wah Pedal to simulate a “Jaw Harp” in the rhythm loop; not to mention the “audio wonk” I used in the Intro (as opposed to Zeppelin's use of their own brand of “wonk” @ the end of their version).

When The Levee Breaks (LookMaNoSlide Version) - Instrumental by Groove Crater Method  (Led Zeppelin)

The use of the term “unprecedented” seems to have come into vogue in the last several years, as applied by the media and other entities to the so-called “natural disasters” that have been plaguing the planet. Unlike the use of the word “inconceivable” by a character in “The Princess Bride”, however, the aforementioned use of “unprecedented” actually—and unfortunately—has merit.
In my “neck of the woods” (which really IS surrounded by “woods”), the recurring disaster is WILDFIRE. While 2020 was an unprecedented year in terms of acreage burned in the State, 2021 has SURPASSED that figure...and even after a cool, rainy and snowy October, lower lying areas are under threat again as we head into December!
Consistent with my goal of keeping new postings focused on current topics here on my soundcloud pages, I've got this rendition of an iconic Blue Oyster Cult number. I'm not really much for performing a “Carbon Cover” of any tune—especially one that has been in my consciousness for decades, as this one has. Skewed interpretations (esp. involving guitar abuse culminating in breaking the Low "E" String @ 4:48, for instance) are way more interesting to me; hence, the offering we have here.
As usual, I'm performing all tasks involved to get this to your ears: arranging, playing, engineering and production. - Thrust

Burnin' For You (ScaldedApe Version) - Blue Oyster Cult inspired Instrumental - MMountain Offensive

It was my intention to continue adding appropriately festive-type musical works to my soundcloud pages (Howard Thrust SIDE 1 + SIDE 2) whenever possible; but it seems like Human Society is stuck in this "doom and gloom" loop...and it doesn't look like merely Music is going to pull us out of it.
It just might help us understand what we're going through, though. Therefore, this latest addition has a reason to be...right here and right now!
When it's said that events "of Biblical Proportion" are occurring lately, it is no exaggeration. Case in point: the passage rendered in Chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation (Apocalypse). The description of Four Horsemen riding appropriately colored horses represents the nature of Global disasters following the rider on the White Horse. See if you can identify the theme memes I used for each rider.
This all begs investigation on the part of the reader...or, in this case, the listener... - Thrust

Apocalypse 6: Bad Horsie X4 (Terminator 1 Version) - Soundtrack Instrumental by Groove Crater Method

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, yet conscise "hit it and quit it" instrumental, very much in the spirit of the "Rock Guitar Instrumental" scene of the early '70s. Such music was upbeat, raucous and truly inspired...and inspiring!
I have also posted a more "rabid", "Garage Punk" version of this tune on my "Howard Thrust - SIDE 2" page - https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/evrything-gonna-b-allriteeven2ally3cargarageversion-phil-x-stooges-instrumental-by-ab-normal. Both Versions appear to have "hit the mark"!

In either case, it seems like we can use some of that kind of mojo right about now. - Thrust

Ev'rythingGonnaB AllRite...EvN2LE (WFO R'nR Version) Rock Instrumental by MMountain Offensive

Most of us “Creative Improvisers” fully appreciate the importance of running the recorder during studio sessions, because, as many have said: “You never know what good might come out of it”.
So there I've been, fleshing out an iconic Prince “standard” for the last week or so (I'm making it a point to spend the first half of April on such projects, since his death on the 21st back in 2016); and I'm going for a sound not typically associated with it...but one that may actually work...
Then I came up with THIS!
You'll hear influences ranging from Alice to Zappa...and several points in between; but it didn't feel like an attempt at some kind of a “novelty treatment”. It was more like: “Can something valid be said about the original, without just copying the original's vibe...and without boring anybody?”
Besides my active imagination, I also had some help from a recently acquired '80s classic Kramer “Shred/Metal” machine. The tone and feel of it just kind of aimed me in the direction I needed to go (as in: Over The Top!!).
The Studio Recorder pretty much did the rest!
As for just about always, everything involving the arrangement, performance and production of this piece has been done by yours truly.
Thanks for listening! – Thrust

Purple(Rain)Interpolations (OTTHairMetal Version) - Instrumental by MMountain Offensive (Prince/EVH)

Since “all things Space” continue to garner quite a lot of attention in The Media and elsewhere these days, I figured it was time to add another work under that theme.
This one is based on an iconic work by symphonic composer Richard Strauss; which was based on a literary work by none other than Friederich Nietzsche entitled “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (translated “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”...although many would recognize it as the main theme for the feature film “2001: A Space Odyssey”).
Seeing as how Mr. Z was a rather “heavy cat”, Strauss composed a suitably “heavy” orchestral work to properly introduce him. It was and is pure Magic!
It has also proven to be a FLEXIBLE work—lending itself to all kinds of adaptations and arrangements...like the solo “live loop jam” version I'm presenting here. 
I also have an extended version with a "Van Halen in Space" intro. Check it out here:  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-radio/also-sprach-zarathustra-a-space-rock-odyssey-t-minus-9-version-mmountain-offensive
As per usual, I'm responsible for all the sounds you're hearing—including the performance, recording, engineering and related production duties necessary to make it all happen! - Thrust

Also Sprach Zarathustra... A Space Rock Odyssey (Thrust 7 Version) - MMountain Offensive

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.
For another version / edit / mix of this song, please click this link:
https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/bigger-guitars-jam-it-all-dk-version-20-instrumental-by-mmountain-offensive-evh-hendrix

Thanks for listening!! - Thrust

Little Guitars...only BIGGER (SingleVersion) - Rock Instrumental by MMountain Offensive (EVH/Gojira)

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!)

To listen to the full-length "Album Version" click this link:   https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/the-beat-goes-onbut-its-gettin-heavytothe9s-version-rock-instrumental-by-mmountain-offensive
Thanks for listening - Thrust

The Beat Goes On...but Its gettin HEAVY (LongPlaySingle Version) Instrumental by MMountain Offensive

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! 

This one is dedicated to the memory of "Beatle" Bob Wagstaff - Thrust  

(Click on the link to hear my longer version posted on Howard Thrust SIDE 2)  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/guitar-man-shredbread-version-rock-guitar-instrumental-by-ab-dicchus-gary-moore-evh

The Guitar Man (shredBread singleVersion) - Rock Guitar Instrumental by a.b. dicchus

One of the advantages of doing interpretive instrumentals, is that it's much less restrictive in terms of choice of material and sonic direction. For instance: I can't imagine ever being able to do justice--in terms of vocal quality--to a Cranberries tune.  Even if I were a proper female mezzo-soprano, it would be hard to lay down something truly worthy, in comparison to what Dolores O'Riordan (R.I.P) did with the band's original recordings, so good they were.
Not so when it comes to using the guitar (my Koa Fender Telecaster, in this case), and some well-positioned electronics as my "voice". 
I did some rearranging of the tune (as I often do with instrumental interpretations) to highlight what especially strikes (and has struck) me about it.
As usual for all of my loop-oriented works (and just about all of the other tracks posted here on the illustrious soundcloud site), I'm responsible for all arrangement, playing/sounds, recording and production work.

Dreams (interpreting) - The Cranberries Tribute - Instrumental by filicityStunt

As with my interpretation of some other iconic "standards" I have posted here, it took a great deal of time with the original (in this case, from the Brubeck Quartet) tune bouncing around my conscious and subconscious before a fresh take could reveal itself.  
While not wanting to "modernize" the feel of the original, I wondered if it could actually sound like a proper "guitar" piece, and beyond that, one that would accept some very "modern" tones and effects that might convey a legit message that would have worked as well back then as right now.
On top of that, I felt that there might be more to say thematically, as well.
So, what I wound up doing was "taking five"--that is, taking a (more or less) five-minute break through a variety of soloing approaches, including playing major scale lines over the minor chord progression.
To enhance the weirdness of it all, I felt it only proper to use a sufficiently weird axe (my Danelectro Hodad), and played in a style not so popular in 1959, but soon to explode on the music scene thereafter.

Take Five (Hodad Funk)- Dave Brubeck Modern Instrumental Guitar Cover - a.b. dicchus

Another "essential" Iggy Pop track. Many of us might call this one our own personal "theme song". I certainly do.
I tried to go with the whole "post-punk" feel here--warts and all--while working the solo improv thing for all it's worth. 
Managed to get it all said in less time than "The Ig's" original studio version, on top of that!
We'll have to call it "Good".

The Passenger - (Iggy Pop Cover)- Instrumental by Groove Crater Method

Having taken "Album Rock" to an institutionally epic level with the production of "The Dark Side of The Moon", Pink Floyd unquestionably has left a fairly indelible mark on the world of music -- and the collective psyches of music fans around the world. 
After so many decades of "leaving well enough alone" though, I finally developed an interesting take on one of my favorite pieces therein through the use of my looping rig -- honed down through years of experimentation and jamming to what I have posted here.
The reggae arrangement seems to have stood the test of time (no pun intended) along with all of the soloing viewpoints. I figured, as awesome a statement as D. Gilmour's two-chorus solo is, I'd take it "up to 11" with a little  additional insanity. Reversing the loop for the intro and outro gave it the needed thematic direction. 
I was able to record all of the guitar verse and solo leads in one massive straight-through take; and, as usual, I'm responsible for all playing, sounds and production efforts.

Time (reversing)- Pink Floyd Cover / Tribute - Guitar Solo Instrumental by Groove Crater Method

Considering the amount of time this tune has been in the Public Consciousness, I was (and am) a bit surprised that there have been only a handful of renditions at large that really seem to hit the mark, in my opinion...and NO instrumentals in that group. Hmmmm...
Hopefully, this version gets people thinking about it in new and exciting ways. 
My approach is fairly tongue-in-cheek--as I just can't come around to the idea of taking myself seriously enough to do it any other way. Consequently, you'll hear a definite "Sid and The Pistols" dynamic here. That plays into the fact that, while I'm soloing like--as Captain Beefheart recommended--a drowning man (i.e. fairly out of my mind) you'll hear influences ranging from Andy Scott (The Sweet), Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, Eddie Van Halen, and yes, even the illustrious Steve Jones. 
As for my arrangement, I found that since the traditional versions seemed to get a bit labored about two-thirds of the way through, I would use the "bridge" verse solely as a "one-timer" prologue (and a perfectly ponderous one at that!).
Hopefully, all of this adds up to "Close Enough for Rock and Roll"...

My Way - Guitar Tribute (Page / Scott / Moore / Van Halen + more!) Instrumental by a.b. dicchus

Insanity--in all it's varied forms--has interested me for as far back as I can remember. A psychologist friend of mine says "we're ALL crazy", so maybe that's why there is such an appeal. The trouble is, even though it's a somewhat unseemly trait all of humanity shares, crossing all boundaries circumstantial and otherwise, it seems to be rarely tapped as a reason for connection or bonding. 
That's what makes this song special to me. 
Even (or maybe especially) as an instrumental, empathy, sympathy, and camaraderie (besides, among other things, the insanity itself) is communicated in spades. Note (during the solo section) the expressions our protagonist makes of the pitiful state she is in, culminating in an all-consuming "cry for help".

Lilybelle (just can't find the words) - Geraldine Fibbers / Carla Bozulich Tribute by filicityStunt

Speaking of the '70s, another of the many artists which got my attention during that period was Harry Nilsson. He had a lot more to do with Pop/Rock music during that period than many are aware of. 
The track featured here is one of my takes on a cut from his hit album "Nilsson Schmilsson", which was also released as a single.  Since I'm really interested in performing music featuring "loops", any good tune that can be easily adapted to this approach is right in my wheelhouse. Herbie Flowers' mother-of-all-basslines is the unshakable (and irreplaceable) foundation for this song. All of the sounds you hear I performed, along with all production tasks. This is another track where I've performed lead work along with the rhythm loop in a straight-through, "live" fashion. There are no overdubs, and editing only to get it to proper "single" length (under five minutes).
There's a useful message here too:  When attempting a move to improve a given situation, one should be careful that said move doesn't take them out of the "frying pan" and "into the fire"...

Compilation

Jump Into The Fire (Single Version) - (Nilsson Cover) - Instrumental by Groove Crater Method

Where would all of us artist-types be without "The Wizard Of OZ"?!!
There have been so many interpretive artistic expressions based on this work, I'm sure I haven't heard anywhere near the half of them!
Considering the multi-faceted problems facing humanity (many of which the present pandemic situation has only highlighted), I really didn't have any trouble coming up with my dystopian take on all of it, employing inspiration from none other than the aforementioned movie.
One of the main reasons I enjoy expressing myself through instrumental music is that a wide "door" of interpretation is left open for the listener's imagination.  That said, I'll only tell you a few of the basic elements of my work:   I'm playing a riff based on the marching chant of the Winkie Guard over a reversed chord progression for the verse section of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", with a marching rhythm I coaxed (ok, more like "beat") out of my Danelectro Hodad electric guitar (an "oddball" instrument, which is proving itself quite adept at performing in such roles) by raking a serrated metallic implement across the strings. I'm improvising in real-time over that "loop"--including the crazy special effects heard toward the end of the piece. As always, I'm responsible for all sounds and production tasks. There was very little post-production work involved in getting the sound you're hearing. 

The rest is up to you...

Meanwhile, Under The Rainbow (dystopian theme)- Egregious Phil's Bin (The Wizard of Oz inspired)

This track is a tribute to Peter Green and Danny Kirwan: famous for their work with Fleetwood Mac in the band's early days. Their lives were alternately and concurrently interesting, inspiring, and tragic. I attempted to capture these qualities in this piece.
As with all of my works on display here, this is completely a solo work. I am responsible for all arrangement, instrumentation, performance and production. I employed loop machines and live playing - as opposed to "tracking" - in the production of this and some of the other works posted here.

Albatross (achieves Escape Velocity) - Peter Green Tribute by a. b. dicchus

Well, 2020 seemed to continue to deliver in the "natural (and man-made) disaster" department right up to it's end. (It's looking like 2021 is going to continue with that theme...)
This tune seemed pretty relevant when it was released by the Pat Travers Band, way back in 1980. No argument that it's a lot more relevant today!
I've always liked the chord movement (Travers an excellent Hammond / Keyboard player, too), as well as "The Beat Goes On" bass line; but I have felt that there was room for more "crash" and  "burn" in the sonic department. 
I think I've taken care of that in my interpretation.
I'm using the chorus melody as a one-time intro theme: "We can't stop the World from it's..."

Crash And Burn - Instrumental by Groove Crater Method (Pat Travers inspired)

"It's that little souvenir of a terrible year." -- The Sundays

Rather than make any attempt at putting some kind of narrative on this subject--political, or otherwise--in my introductory comments, the real purpose of my arrangement here is merely to inform and hopefully, to generate some objective contemplation on the listener's part.

With thoughts of Peace -- ThrustOut...

Portland 2020:  Did You Feel It All Around? - Egregious Phil's Bin (inspired by portlandia theme)

One of the (many) "lowlights" of 2020 was the loss of the famed Italian composer Ennio Morricone;  widely known for his collaborative work with Sergio Leone on epic and very memorable "Spaghetti Westerns", such as "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"...and the movie featuring this tune: "Once Upon a Time in The West".
It took a while to arrange and eventually perform/record this piece--as there were a daunting number of "problems" converting it from a full orchestral score to an all-guitar-based studio "track" solo project! With the Covid Pandemic still in full effect though, I happen to have a little more time on my hands these days, as live musical performance (not the "quarantined video" type)is still not an option.
Due to the adaptability and thematic universality of this work, there will likely be a number of subsequent versions coming out of the Mountain Offensive Studio in the future (like this one, for instance). Stay tuned!

Once Upon A Time In The West - Main Theme (SloShredBlueprint Version) - Thrust Gittarkestra

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 2"  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/tracks for recent and future postings here on soundcloud.
Check out "Howard Thrust - Musical Monologues"  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-monologues/tracks for "story" with Music here on soundcloud.
Check out "Howard Thrust Radio"  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-radio 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.
Check out "Howard Thrust" on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpAfG_aFKB0dDyp5mNl35sQ/videos !

AND NOW (massive drum-roll, please):  You can visit my WEBSITE by going to  www.hthrust.com

Thanks for looking and listening!

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