Rock and Reggae Oriented Tracks

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

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

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

With all of the interest in Outer Space, fueled by the 2020 appearance of the Comet NEOWISE, I figured I'd get to editing a previously posted track for re-release. This track took inspiration from the Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd tune "Interstellar Overdrive" and the mid-'80s Husker Du track "Reocurring [sic] Dreams". It was originally about twelve minutes in length, and seemed to be well-paced and interesting throughout; but I wanted to see what it would sound like all streamlined and concise. I like the result.
Sometimes a track comes out in the recording session with pretty much everything in order:  tones, energy, statement, timing, mix, etc. That made the original take easier to work with on the whole--although it was sometimes difficult to know what to cut. It was a good experience though; and now we'll let this edit run for a while.  
As just about always, I am responsible for all sounds and studio tasks involved here, using triggered live loops for a complete sound.

Interstellar Dreams (Edit 2) - a.b. dicchus (Pink Floyd and Husker Du 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)

To me, the original Iggy Pop tune "Dum-Dum Boys" was more than just a somewhat veiled "anti-drug abuse" song.  I imagined it as something well beyond that:   a travelogue of fairly unappealing destinations.  An oral history of bad decisions and the unfortunates who shared in them.  The stark, brutally honest, unapologetic and unrecommended truth about the "addict life".
And that story I imagined would be told in ragged monologue as only I. P. could manage; a powerful and captivating statement about that life from someone who had been there and back.
As I played and recorded this piece:   a "live" solo guitar improv over two different background loops (toggled at the appropriate times), I was imagining those images in living, musical color. 
 
And then just a bit beyond...

Dum Dum Variations - a.b. dicchus (Iggy Pop 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!