This project features tunes that work well using a single loop only. 
-Use of "drones" and "trance-style" tonal and rhythmic ideas allow me freedom    to expand in a variety of improvisational directions.
-All selected tunes are arranged thematically--both in subject matter and in set list order - Thrust

Groove Crater Method - "PARTY IN THE PIT"

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)

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

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

During the '60s and '70s--my musically formative years--the diversity of what was available has proven to be truly unprecedented. Fortunately, living in the SoCal metropolis of Los Angeles (South Bay)at that time, I had access through AM and then FM radio, older friends and peers, and hang-out sessions at local record stores. 
Of course, Jimi Hendrix and Funkadelic came onto my radar in a fairly timely fashion.  It's funny, but only until more recently in life, I've finally felt like I could use my longtime experience with their tunes (as well as those from many other influential artists from that era) as a foundation for some of my personal expression.
Regarding this particular work:  I'm bouncing off of the fairly universal nature of Hendrix's "Third Stone from the Sun" (I can think of a bazillion different ways to "frame" this tune; it's just so, uh, "universal"...), and the deep groove and anti-drug vibe of Funkadelic's "Loose Booty". I feel they go well together.
Rather than tell you what I had exactly in mind as far as how the theme matches the music (or vice versa), I'd much rather have you interpret that. - Thrust

Loose Booty On 3rd Stone (Single Version)- Groove Crater Method (inspired by Funkadelic)

Considering all of the heavy circumstances laid upon us in the Calendar Year 2020 (which I've used as themes for many of my posted works herein), it somehow seemed refreshing (and downright righteous) that I'd get inspired near the conclusion of the year to do a piece driven by nothing more than a malfunctioning dryer at the local Laundromat!
This tune is the second in the "Ritmo Secadora" (Dryer Rhythm)Series; which I intend to rotate as I create new tunes based on the same rhythm. They will all be titled as "versions" of the "Coincident 25" theme. 
The previous--and first in the series--is entitled "Coincident 25 (NoWaveDesertLandscape Version)". Eventually, it will be readily accessible, along with other tunes previously posted here on soundcloud.

Thanks for listening!

Coincident 25 (FEZ meets F.V.Z. Version 2.0) - Instrumental by Groove Crater Method (Zappa inspired)

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!