[Rick and Roll]

(Sunday, February 18 from 8-11 PM EST and Monday, February 19 from 1-4 PM EST)

It has been a challenging week, with the weather causing school closings and rescheduling of my basketball games, but we're getting a show in this week....and a fun one.

Ryan Parmenter is a musician from the lovely (I'm guessing) state of Michigan, who has put out some neat stuff over the past ten years. Everyone who knows me is aware of my affection of Matthew Parmenter's music (Discipline and solo records), who is Ryan's uncle. There must be something in the swill up there...by the way, Discipline and Eyestrings share the same bassist, Mat Kennedy.

Ryan's website and myspace site are also wildly entertaining, especially the FAQ's and the short stories. That goes a long way to understand why he was ok with my goofy show title.

This week is an overview of Ryan's output...from four widely divergent CD's.

"Helvetica" (1995)

I bought this a few months ago from the website, and was warned that it was a lot different than I may expect. While true, it's a good different, especially keeping in mind that everything is done by a 17 year-old with MIDI. Yeah I know it's not Little Stevie Wonder, but we're talking about prog here. Some of the songs are amazing, like the complicated, almost 10-minute "Supersaturated", and others just plain weird (yet excellent). I think you'll dig it. It was recently added to the Moon.

Assassination Cake
The Computer
Conflict
Supersaturated
Nodrog
Bastard Brine
Bob's Nub
Trachery
Caning
Voices

Eyestrings - "Burdened Hands" (2004)

What a wonderful CD. I saw the band open up for Sonus Umbra at Orion in Baltimore right as the CD was released. This was a week before the first Rites of Spring Festival. The opener "Slackjaw" was different, especially the lyrics...but kicked serious ass. Everything on this record is outstanding...my only complaint is the production..it's hard to play really loud..but that's ok I'm an old man.

Recovery
Itchy Tickler
Dead Supermen
Anachronism
Funnel
Just A Body
Slackjaw
Nothing
Time Will Tell
Empty Box

Eyestrings - from "Consumption" (2005)

A much darker and thinner sounding record, it's both edgier and more instrumentally aggressive. We'll hear four cuts from this record, featured at their performance at Rosfest two years ago.

Valid For A Week
Code of Tripe
Slate Clean
Groove Seven

Eyestrings is currently on hiatus, partly due to guitarist Alan Rutter's moving out of the area.

Ryan Parmenter - "The Noble Knave" (2006)

Very much in the singer/songwriter vein, showcasing shorter, lighter fare with lots of nice piano. Also just added to the Moon.

Zuccer
Starving
The Noble Knave
Come Along

I could go on and on (and you know I usually do)...but I gotta pick up a kid.

See you then!