Floating Fish Studios held its eighth in a series of Synth Jam Sessions at FFS II on 04/16/11. The ensemble gathered included Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius), M Scott McConnell (aka MC2P4), and Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll).

During this live improv, Imbued Vagary channeled our inner Tangerine Dream personas as we travelled through the electronic plasma pool.

Imbued Vagary - Dreaming (Live at FFS II 04/16/11)

During the Summer of 1989, affectionately referred to as "Vizator Summer" (more on that in future posts), I had a very uncertain future and was at a personal crossroads. I had just finished my first year of college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) where I was majoring in Music Education and I was in the process of transferring to West Chester University to continue my studies.

While trying to make sure that my transfer went through, I continued to play in a band called Vizator which was located in Pittsburgh, I was looking for an apartment with Scott in the West Chester/Philadelphia area, and, in between, I would unpack my car for a day or two every week in Shippensburg where I was "officially" calling home for the summer. I was also struggling to keep a long distance relationship alive with Mitzi Moyer (my girlfriend whom I met at IUP). I even managed a trip to Meadville, PA during that time to visit her.

Needless to say, I was stretched very thin, on the edge, essentially living out of my car with the last of my student loan money, and trying to pull it all together. Luckily, while in Pittsburgh, I was able to crash with Dave Irish (Vizator) and his mother and, while looking for a place to live with Scott in the Philadelphia area, Jackey's (Scott's future wife) parents (Pat and Gloria Dickey) gave me a place to stay and food to eat. This was pretty remarkable considering the fact that, at that time, I was really only a friend of Jackey's boyfriend. I owe them many thanks for what they did for me that summer and for the years that have followed!

Now, since the backdrop for this tumultuous time has been laid, I'll get to the song that I want to share. While staying with Scott, Jackey, and her parents sporadically over the summer, I was working on mixing the final release of The Secret Society cassette. In between mixing sessions, I created my very first complete song. Up until this point, I had worked on song ideas and completed songs as part of a group effort but never had I completed a song from start to finish on my own. It was done entirely on an Ensoniq ESQ-1 and was the first time that I had ever used a keyboard for sequencing. My previous sequencing experience was limited to my Korg DDD-5 drum machine.

The song that I created was simply called "Untitled Song". Though it is very raw and, obviously by listening to it, I didn't know how to quantize on the ESQ-1, it probably remains the most "emotional" and "personal" song that I have ever written. The crescendo of choir strings, Minimoog lead, and analog drums which is reached during the chorus of the song still evokes very vivid memories of this time in my life.

I wish to thank everyone that I mentioned above for helping me through my "Vizator Summer" and, as cheesy and clichéd as it may sound, this song was for Mitzi though I don't think that she ever had a chance to hear it. Maybe she'll stumble upon it now...

Unreleased

Untitled Song

Reaching #32 on the CMJ RPM charts in 2000, our Any Questions? - Mutation CD release was a resounding success. Much of that success was built upon the title track, Mutation, which led off the CD and was featured on radio stations, CD compilations, and dance floors worldwide.

The genesis of this song began in 1997 while I (Ttam Troll) was on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. I had recently purchased a Roland MC-303 groovebox but hadn't had the chance to learn how to use it. I figured that there would be no better time to learn it than when I was on vacation. So, I took the opportunity to challenge myself to do two things. First, learn how to program the MC-303 and second, to see how many song sequences I could write in 5 days.

The first challenge proved to be the most difficult. I had been using computer sequencing (Steinberg Cubase) since the early '90s and trying to come to grips with a very archaic hardware-based sequencer was mind-numbing. The six digit display was no substitute for the GUI of the software-based sequencers that I had become accustomed to. However, I persevered and, by the end of day two, I was fully up and running and was able to make it do my evil bidding.

At this point, since I could actually operate the MC-303, I was ready to begin the 2nd part of my challenge. The ideas flowed freely and, by the end of the week, I had amassed 20 song sequences. To this day, I'm still not sure how it happened. I'm usually not that prolific. Was it the 105+ degree temperatures, the subarctic condo, the warm ocean and pool waters, my self-imposed isolation, or the bevy of bikini clad women that seemed to always parade by? Who knows?

Anyway, it was about a year later that MC2P4 and I revisited the song sequences that I wrote on that vacation and one idea immediately stood out as being a keeper. We wasted no time and began adding additional synth and drum parts to it. We later added a round of samples (all from the 1996 movie, 12 Monkeys) and recorded my vocals. I mixed the song a few days later and it was complete. This song also has the distinction of being the first song that we completed for our Mutation CD release.

Here it is for your listening pleasure...

Mutation

Any Questions? - Mutation

Some you may not know this but Any Questions? did a show at Chalmun's Cantina on Tatooine. Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes (pictured above) were the opening act and warmed up the crowd. After their short set, we took the stage and assaulted the alien denizens with our own brand of sonic terrorism and horrific visual hallucinations.

However, before launching into our unrelenting barrage, we decided to open our set with a song that was inspired by our visit to the planet. Here, for the first time, is our previously unreleased version of The One - A Tribute to Lube Skystalker.

Any Questions? - The One

The production of Jesus Christ Superstar and my participation in it remains one of the high points of my musical career. This took place during my first year of college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in February 1989.

Though I had been playing double bass or electric bass for almost every ensemble in the IUP Music Department, it was a honor to be chosen as the bass player for this "rock opera". I was the only freshman in the orchestra and the part I was to play was very high-profile and demanding.

I can still remember the first smaller "rock band" rehearsal with Chris Tackett (keyboards), Dave Foley (electric guitar), Tim Lutte (drums), and John DeStafano (percussion). They were all seniors and very accomplished musicians and there I was, the freshman new kid on the block. I was well aware that the rehearsal was really my "try out" and that I needed to prove my playing skills to them and to Gary Bird, the conductor.

From the first note of the opening Overture during that rehearsal, it became quickly apparent that I had "come to play". I could see their skeptic faces fade and, by the end of the rehearsal, I had allayed any fears they might have had. From that point on, the rehearsals went smoothly and all of our performances went well and were well-received by the public.

Some of my favorite memories of that production include all the jam sessions that the "rock band" would have before and after rehearsals. When we weren't doing free form improvisations, we would play covers of Frank Zappa songs or The Fish by Yes. In fact, it was Dave Foley that convinced us to do The Fish after he came into rehearsal one day with his typical glassy stare. He proceeded to hold up his keychain, which held a large (6"+) purple rubber fish, and declared, "We are going to play this!" How could we refuse??!!

However, my favorite memory is also the most esoteric and really has nothing to do with the production. It took place during one of the dress rehearsals in which IUP students were allowed to attend. It was during one of these rehearsals in Fisher Auditorium that Gary Bird (the conductor) took a moment between songs and asked the audience how everything sounded. Unbeknownst to me, my friend (and Associate) Everett (Rhett) Hammacher was in the balcony and took that opportunity to scream, "Turn up the bass!!!". Of course my bass didn't need to be turned up. It's one of those "you had to be there" or you had to know Rhett to know "why" that moment is so memorable and funny. I dedicate that little "flashback" to my fellow Associates - Ed Hartford, Rhett Hammacher, and James Hazen. Without them, my days at IUP would not have been so enlightened.

Enough of my ramblings. Here is the first 12 minutes of the 1989 IUP production of Jesus Christ Superstar. This recording was taped during a closed dress rehearsal and contains the following songs...

Synopsis
Overture

Act One
Prologue
Aria: Heaven On Their Minds

Friday .. Bethany
Scene: What's The Buzz?
Scene: Strange Thing Mystifying

IUP - Jesus Christ Superstar

In Fall 1989, we formed our electro-terrorist unit called Any Questions?. In the very early days of the band, MC2P4 wrote and sang most of the vocal parts but we also worked with a few other singers before I (Ttam Troll) eventually took over all of the singing (term used "loosely") duties.

One of these singers was our friend, Brian "Who" Black. He had sung with some other bands so we decided that it was worth giving him a chance and see how well he could do with the material we were writing.

The first song that we worked with him on was a track called Slam. I had spent several days sequencing this song and working out the live keyboard parts and bass solo. During this period of production, I recorded numerous versions of it. In fact, this is probably the most recorded song in the history of the band. There are well over 20 versions of this song on 4-track tape.

I had originally intended for it to be an instrumental but, after realizing that is was "lacking something", we brought in Brian to see what he could add to it. His sharp, biting vocal performance fit the musical style of the song well and we were somewhat pleased.

MC2P4 continued to work with Brian on a few more songs but, eventually, we decided that Slam and the other songs that Brian contributed to didn't fit in with our other compositions. By this time, our music was becoming much more industrial and aggressive and I had begun to be the voice of the band. Because of this, all versions of this song have sat unreleased in the FFS Vaults for over 20 years.

So, after 20+ years in the FFS Vaults, here is Any Questions? - Slam featuring Brian "Who" Black on vocals. This recording is rather "noisy" but I have chosen it because it also includes one of my favorite electric bass solo performances. As you'll hear, I obviously have a "little" Peter Hook (New Order/Joy Division) influence in my playing.

Any Questions? - Slam

FiConnellNorc (aka Norcon Ficross, Norc Norc Fibercon, and other humorous derivations) consisted of Larry Lee Fiber - Vocals, Synthesizers, & Programming, M Scott McConnell - Vocals & Synthesizers, and Matt Norcross - Bass, Synthesizers, & Programming. Though we had "jammed" together countless times since the infamous Fiber Family NYC Music Store Trip of 1985, there had never been any recordings of this line up to survive until one early Spring weekend in 1990.

Larry Lee (founder of Los Angeles club scene band Fashion Risk) was back from LA to visit his family in New York when he decided to make a little detour South to visit Scott and I at Der Palast des Goldes for a weekend session of improvisational recordings. These recordings have since become known as the We Are Glass Sessions (for obvious reasons to those involved).

Larry Lee arrived early Saturday morning but we were unable to begin recording right away. Our equipment was installed at P&G Studios where Scott and I had been demoing our (Any Questions?) latest ideas. P&G Studios was inadequate for our session so we tore down that set up and rebuilt it, in record time, back at Der Palast des Goldes. We were up and running by noon.

The sessions spawned several classic improvisational recordings including this ultra rare track called We Are Glass. This is the only recording of this line up to feature Larry Lee singing and, even though the lyrics and melody are completely improvised, they help to showcase a "what could have been" moment for the band. In addition to Larry Lee singing and playing synths, Scott is laying down the foundation for the song with his synth playing while I contribute lead electric bass (and constant soloing) for the whole 5:35 of the song.

I hope you enjoy this ultra rare classic track from the FFS Vaults. Here is FiConnellNorc - We Are Glass...

FiConnellNorc - We Are Glass (Live at Der Palast des Goldes 1990)

The final electronic improvisation recorded at FFS II Synth Jam 2010 was a sprawling 9 minute sonic soundscape. Propelled forward by the effervescent rhythms of LTJTHC and the surging Prophet 600 synth bass of Ttam Troll, this synthesized wash provided the framework in which Thee Sub One Genius and MC2P4 navigated with subtle mechanized precision.

This final offering is titled TR-7.

Imbued Vagary - TR-7 (Live at FFS II 02/20/10)

Any Questions? - Darkness release from 1992 was the precursor to what eventually became our Imbued Vagary project. During this period, I spent a significant amount of time creating audio sculptures which reflected my increasingly bleak dystopian views.

You Have Nowhere To Go is a brooding and eerie soundscape which captures a very intimate journey into one of those darker places. It is the shortest of three songs which made it onto the final release and is the only one to feature movie dialogue samples. The other two songs, Ice Rift and Procession, are long, sprawling instrumentals.

So, wait for the Witching Hour, when all is still and silent, then follow the trail of bread crumbs I left behind...

FFS Web Site Audio

Any Questions? - You Have Nowhere To Go

Procession is an audio sculpture culled from Any Questions? - Darkness. This rare 1992 release offered an early glimpse into our Imbued Vagary project and an example of the synthetic tapestries that we would weave into our future film work.

Like the other songs from Darkness, this electronic soundscape invites the listener to follow me as I delve into my own dark psyche. Created during solitary late night recording sessions at FFS II, I would work through the night until the first rays of the dawn burned my skin. At that time, I would retreat until Darkness, once again, ruled the night.

Darkness

Any Questions? - Procession

Floating Fish Studios held its third in a series of Synth Jam Sessions at FFS II on 05/15/10. The small but efficient ensemble gathered included Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius), M Scott McConnell (aka MC2P4), and Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll).

Though the theme of this session was '80s Style and our goal was to compose an '80s influenced dance track for an upcoming Julie L Myers produced music video, we managed to stray from that purpose on several occasions.

This improv, titled TR-10, is one such occasion and documents our journey into Trance.

Imbued Vagary - TR-10 (Live at FFS II 05/15/10)

First mutant to ascend from the plasma pool after the Cy-Tech Wars. Skilled in cybernetics and data manipulation. Exhibits an extreme appetite for blood and kills for his own pleasure.

Untitled Song

Ttam Troll

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