Show 118 - "Saving Ryan's Privates"

[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!

[roger]

I thought it was going to be porn music...

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by roger

I thought it was going to be porn music...

The power of the catchy title.....this music lasts a little longer I hope.

Matthew's P. site does say "sex rock".... a total joke of course.

[Rick and Roll]

Here's a blog I did in late December about Ryan Parmenter's first record....sort of a cliff notes......

(myspace blog 12/27/06)

Screw CD Baby. I'm doing a review here. And since I have precious little free time, you must know this must be good if I'm spending time on it..

Ryan Parmenter, frontman of the semi-retired Eyestrings, has a new CD out, "The Noble Knave". Bought it, listened to it, liked it a lot. But then I put on his solo CD from 1995 "Helvetica". After pushing through a very strange track "Assassination Cake" the real fun begins. The next track is "The Computer", a one minute keyboard trip, into the very cool "Conflict". Next is "Supersaturated", an 9:36 instrumental that's amazing. I assume he's playing everything himself...the piece is incredibly intricate, and is never dull. The liner notes say the song contains "inaudible words". I believe Marcel Marceau has a plagarism case!

"Nodrog" about a man named Gordon (don't know how he thought of that) has some absolutely wicked instrumental passages. The words are lots of fun too. Some of the music reminds me of Devo's "Timing X", but much more complicated.

In "Bastard Brine", the piano is awesome! Of course, it's hidden behind a very strange set of lyrics and other instruments. And there's a hint of 70's rock too. Definitely not music to get laid by.

"Bob's Nub" is a short number that reminds me of Happy the Man on speed. Then "Treachery", an instrumental reminiscent of Gentle Giant. A very well-ordered song.

"Caning" is very strange - but riveting. Sort of a Hillage influence, maybe Tom Waits...Uncle Matt may be another influence...there's a character in the song named "Swatman Bart". Bart? Don't they have locals in Singapore that can do the job? Again, GREAT keys.

"Voices" is a great closing song.

Since Ryan is a non-commercial kind of guy, it's a pleasure to give him some pub...and spread the word.

Go to his website, ryanparmenter.com (just glad some asshole didn't take the name), there are some gut-busting items. The faq's are hilarious, and I'm just scratching the surface to the drawings and the short stories!

By the way, "The Noble Knave" is very nice. It's completely different than "Helvetica". In a nutshell (I know a terribly hackneyed saying), it's a prog singer/songwriter record.

So pay the man...and get some great music. And then and only then can you get some Eyestrings.....that's another story!

I'll be playing the discs (or at least most of each) on my show in Jan or Feb. keep an eye out for the bulletins for my set lists...

Enjoy,

Rick