From Missy "Bubbles Johnson's" myspace blog
Picture this, me singing on stage in a gold bikini wearing high heels! How about Azma wearing a blond wig and a wedding dress? Well it could happen!
My biggest dream was to play at Red Rocks. Well, the Pipe got to play Red Rocks last summer and my dream came true! So now it is a new year and time to make some new dreams and set some new goals.
So, at practice last night, the band was clowning about me wearing on a bikini on stage. Everyone busted out because that sure as hell was never gonna happen. Not because I don't look good in a bikini, because I look hot in a bikini, I just gotta lose 5 pounds, shave my legs and go tanning. I think it was the high heels that had everyone laughing???
Then I got to thinking, why not set a goal and aim high, because if the dream comes true, i mean when the dream comes true, I'm gonna need some time to get my tan! So here is what is on the table, if the Pipe gets to play a show at the Pepsi Center, I will wear a bikini and high heels on stage! Not to be outdone and raise the anty, Azma declared that he will put on a blond wig and wedding dress! Wow, that is gonna be one crazy show! Let's make it happen!!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Official CD Release Party for United Sound Pipe!
Our official CD release party is coming soon! We are going to be dropping the BOMB on Denver!
Playing with the incredible bands Future Jazz Project and Foma, this evening is gonna be a night to be remembered!
***GET TICKETS***
—UNITED SOUND PIPE OFFICIAL DENVER CD RELEASE PARTY, BLUEBIRD THEATER, FEB 19—
DENVER, COLO., January 15, 2009 — Colorado's premier funk band, U.S. Pipe, is pleased to announce the first official CD release party for their debut full-length release, United Sound Pipe, at Denver's Bluebird Theater, on Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m.
The album, released through their own label, Pipe Circle Music, Inc., was produced by Bill Thomas, recorded and mixed by Christopher "C3" Cardone at Area Five Point One Studio in Evergreen, Colo., and was mastered by multi-Grammy-winning David Glasser of Airshow Mastering, Boulder, Colo. United Sound Pipe features cover art by famous artist, Scrojo (scrojo.com) and very special guest, Rick Gardner, on trumpet (rubberhorn.com). An original member of Bootsy's Rubber Band and longtime member of the P-Funk family, U.S. Pipe is honored to collaborate with him.
The music is a unique amalgamation of funk, hip hop and rock that positively conveys both the essence of the legacy of the funk culture as well as the future of cutting-edge, funk-flavored music. It entertains, inspires and moves. Colorado Music Buzz magazine raves: "...Citrus Sauthoff and crew showcase amazing energy along with the obvious lofty level talent that is bursting throughout the disc. With their innate ability to marry up an album with this kind of production quality and still maintain the feel of 'live,' United Sound Pipe should be on your short list of new purchases."
Support acts on the bill for the release party are Foma*, a quintet with a sonic palette that combines rock-alternative, funk, and blues, all lightly peppered with a pinch of country twang, Future Jazz Project, who set a new level of artistry with jazz roots combined with hip hop, R&B, and soul, and up-and-coming DJs The Illionaires.
The evening will also feature some giveaways and other fun surprises. The first 50 fans in the door will receive a collectible poster with Scrojo's amazing album art signed by U.S. Pipe. In addition, everyone who brings a non-perishable food item and/or clothing to donate to local area charities will receive freebies courtesy of Flying Dog Brewery, a longtime supporter of U.S. Pipe.
"We know these are tough times for everyone," says U.S. Pipe leader, Citrus, "so we really wanted to make this party an opportunity to give back to those who need it the most. We hope everyone will come out and not only have a great time, but bring a donation so we can spread the positivity within the community."
Tickets for the release party are $10 in advance and $12 day of show. For tickets visit http://bluebirdtheater.net/eventdetail.php?id=21057.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Video from P-Funk opening set now online!
Hi everyone,
We just uploaded video to our YouTube station from the opening set for P-Funk show. You can check it out on our Facebook page or visit the YouTube station at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/USPipe
It was a pleasure to be part of a really magical evening. P-Funk lay down the funk in full effect! Thanks to them for being so gracious and putting on one kick-ass show.
More to come...stay tuned!
We just uploaded video to our YouTube station from the opening set for P-Funk show. You can check it out on our Facebook page or visit the YouTube station at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/USPipe
It was a pleasure to be part of a really magical evening. P-Funk lay down the funk in full effect! Thanks to them for being so gracious and putting on one kick-ass show.
More to come...stay tuned!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Happy New Year! Let's Get this Party Started!
We trust you had a magnificent Holiday Season and that you are ready to start ’09 off with a Funky Bang!
We are getting this year jumpin off by opening up for George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic at the Fillmore in Denver on Sat Jan 10th! Tix are still on sale!!
We are more than stoked to get the opportunity to play this incredible venue before our Heroes and Mentors! Can You Get to That? We sho nuff can!
We are planning a special aftershow party that night as well at Tooey’s....should be a blazin good time! You just don’t know WHO is gonna show up? The Pipe is taking it's entire pa and a bunch of musical gear to play with!
Monday the 12th Citrus (dat's me) will be spinning some of his old Funky Vinyl at Matt Fecher’s evening at the Larimer Lounge! New Music Mondays is gonna be filled with Good Ol Funky Music!
Be sure to stop in and listen to some OLD SCHOOL FUNK and more! I am really excited for this evening!
Feb 19th is gonna be off the chain!
The CD Release Party and tour are starting to come into good shape! We will be playing with the DJs Illusionaires, Future Jazz Project and Foma*
Special Guests, Drink Specials, Neighborhood business participation and a BIG Food Drive are all in the works!! Stay Tuned!
We really want to thank each and every of you for your continued support!
WE as a band want to wish you a Great 2009 and WE deeply hope that you get many steps forward on YOUR journey and towards YOUR goals!
Stay Funky Ya’all!
Citrus
We are getting this year jumpin off by opening up for George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic at the Fillmore in Denver on Sat Jan 10th! Tix are still on sale!!
We are more than stoked to get the opportunity to play this incredible venue before our Heroes and Mentors! Can You Get to That? We sho nuff can!
We are planning a special aftershow party that night as well at Tooey’s....should be a blazin good time! You just don’t know WHO is gonna show up? The Pipe is taking it's entire pa and a bunch of musical gear to play with!
Monday the 12th Citrus (dat's me) will be spinning some of his old Funky Vinyl at Matt Fecher’s evening at the Larimer Lounge! New Music Mondays is gonna be filled with Good Ol Funky Music!
Be sure to stop in and listen to some OLD SCHOOL FUNK and more! I am really excited for this evening!
Feb 19th is gonna be off the chain!
The CD Release Party and tour are starting to come into good shape! We will be playing with the DJs Illusionaires, Future Jazz Project and Foma*
Special Guests, Drink Specials, Neighborhood business participation and a BIG Food Drive are all in the works!! Stay Tuned!
We really want to thank each and every of you for your continued support!
WE as a band want to wish you a Great 2009 and WE deeply hope that you get many steps forward on YOUR journey and towards YOUR goals!
Stay Funky Ya’all!
Citrus
Sunday, January 4, 2009
KTCL's Locals Only Show Tonight!
Somewhere between 8pm and Midnight tonight KTCL's Locals Only Show will be playing a mix of Writa Man that the DJ ALF made himself!
I am way excited to hear what he did...basically fit it for time and made it safe for FCC. A huge honor that he would bother to do this for U.S. on his own initiative!
If you can...please let your friends know....93.3 Fm
Listen in and give a call after you hear the track and ask for MORE!
Our foot is in the door and we need YOU to help us get it all the way open!
Stanx!
Citrus
p.s.
ya'all rock! I hope you had a great holiday! LUV to you and yours!
I am way excited to hear what he did...basically fit it for time and made it safe for FCC. A huge honor that he would bother to do this for U.S. on his own initiative!
If you can...please let your friends know....93.3 Fm
Listen in and give a call after you hear the track and ask for MORE!
Our foot is in the door and we need YOU to help us get it all the way open!
Stanx!
Citrus
p.s.
ya'all rock! I hope you had a great holiday! LUV to you and yours!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Over the Hills and Thru the Woods to Funk YOU UP! by Citrus
From Citrus' myspace blog
We almost didn't GO! The show Yesterday was a Blizzast! An epic adventure in the name of Funk!
Due to several reasons...Azma not being able to make it for a VERY SPECIAL reason, Not having a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive a couple folks up, the INCREDIBLE blizzard that had most of the roads CLOSED, we ALMOST didn't even bother going up the hill!
Xmas Day was spent in speculation and wonder..fear was growing in the ranks. We had realized that we didn't have a 4X4 reserved about a week back and tried in vain to get one. The news and online tools all pointed to it being impossible to get to Telluride. A HUGE storm was passing thru..dumping 40 inches of snow on Telluride in 24 hours! I couldn't get thru to the club to find out what was going on and around 1 am I fell out...worried about the morning.
Popped up at about 7 and found that one road I was worried about was open according to the CDOT website. Yet the TV said that it was impossible to get to Telluride. I called the police up there and the officer told me that "If you aren't in Telluride NOW..you aren't getting to Telluride today!" So I left a message with the club that we weren't going to head up. Sent out the word to the band and went about relaxing.....about an hour later that all changed!
Got a call from Tom at the Club finally! He said that we could make it...Oh lord...I called the cops again...different officer...."if you can get to Grand Junction you can get here!!" Well....I-70 was open all the way!
Took about another hour to finally re-assemble the troops. Another couple hours to get out to the Airport to pick up the vehicle and back and get loaded up and all...buying tire chains along the way home. We were OFF..
The ride was breezy till we got to Vail Pass...that's when we had our first "oh hell" moment. A huge chunk of snow hit the windshield..like 4 inches deep...sliding off the mountain in front of me in a mini avalanche. Took my feet up off the pedals and relaxed. Kept on keepin on and it was really no problem till we got past Glenwood Springs...that's when everything changed!
It was getting dark..the snow was THICK and blowing all over the place. My fellow travellers on the road were mainly a bunch of wimps tho. I would try to conform and sit in line with them..but found that following an idiot that slams on their breaks at every curve was much more dangerous than riding in the other lane with nobody in front of me. I LOVE driving in the snow...and I got my fill of it! The conditions were about as bad as I had ever driven in till we got to Grand Junction...At one point Tom called me..."hows it going?" he asked...."Much better than it is for the truck that just flipped into the ditch in front of me bro" was my reply. I counted at least 5 wrecks in that stretch of highway...with a jack-knifed tractor-trailer being one of them on an off ramp. There were times that I had to imagine I was a goalie in Hockey...keeping track of the sides of the roads cuz I couldn't really see in front of me at all.
Then it was like there was NO snow at all..not even on the ground..a Big patch of clean easy driving...I thanked the heavens for the break. As soon as we headed south it was clear! For a while. After a bit the snow came back...hard and heavy. My biggest problem now tho was the fools with their brights on illuminating the storm and not the roads..the jerks who flashed their lights at me cuz they didn't see me turn off my brights...
One of the HIGHLIGHTS of the trip was calling KURT and asking for Directions! Thank GOD somebody bought him a GPS for Xmas!
At long last we arrived safe and sound! Sent Missy and Mike to deal with the Hotel and the rest of us Loaded in..set up and got HIGH as a kite!
Now the show....The show was one of the best shows musically that we have put on in a LONG time. We started off with Music For My Mother and mugs were dancing like freaks from the TOP! We had all decided to stretch things and experiment a bit. It paid off.
I was really loving my set up of amps for the evening. The old Twin (that is now dubbed 7 but pronounced Seb'n) and the Boogie blended with the stereo delay sounded like they were made for each other! Izabella came thru and sent me into a sexual frenzy that I hadn't experienced in decades! I was fuckin her good all over the place...grinding the frets on my amp...droppin her on the gound and makin her rumble...calling down the thunder by scratching the springs in the back...most of the old tricks from my Jimi and Stevie worshipping daze. She held her tuning pretty well and maintained playability thru the night...She's BACK for real now! Plus I know I can put her thru the ropes and have a great place to take her to for tender love and care!
With Tear the Roof we hit the nail on the head baby... had the crowd in our hands...they kept the chant going and going....and we would drop out and let them take charge...THIS is the FIRST Time that we ever got our audience to that point...that point in a show where the band becomes secondary and the crowd takes over. It didn't stop there.
Kurt and Murphy dropped into a pocket while I tuned up that had every lady in front of me wet and all the dudes boned up....I joined in and they tried to stop, but I couldn't let those people down like that till they got a nut! We kept the jam going and it ended up being a real highlight of the evening...the horns hit some great lines they had been working on and I sang the Cajun Stripper Queen over it cuz it had that Dirty sexy Big Easy vibe on it.
Maggott Brain...oh hell...I told the crowd to start makin out and to get out their lighters...they did..it was beautiful!
I was bending that Strat's strings farther than I have since the early 90s...she was on fire...FINALLY I broke one..the b string snapped under the tension...."What would Mike do?" I went apeshit on the high e string...moving to the g occasionally but over all I just played a few more minutes on one string...getting the melody to come thru as well. We even managed to pull off the heavy ending...
There were TONS of great moments... a few "ass-pie" moments. But basically we did great..
Missy really shone thru ! We mapped out a few things on the ride up and it paid off big time. Her voice was strong all night and we had some really good blends! She was confident and sure of herself all night long! It was a pleasure to behold!
The Horns were horny and groovin......a lot of good stuff was coming thru and they sounded tight as could be. I loved it seeing the charts fall to the ground in a pile! We don't need to stinkin charts! Mike and Jimmy both had some major solo's...at one point in the night there was a crowd of mugs just eggin them on...eating up every note! tha bomb! We did a lot of give and take and took each other into different phrasing and note combos...how fun!
Kurt slammed some major shit Solo'd his ass off and really held things down...we had some great improvisational moments too
The Lock Brothers? the three of us were locked tight as our sphincters were on the ride up! LOL.
Murpholoptic? SHEEEITTT>..he drove the whole way and played a killer show...In fact...while we were just setting up and getting ready to start soundcheck..he hit just a couple of notes on the drums and it made the kundalini shoot up my spine! The rest of the night was no different. His vocals were killer too...Soldier.
Everybody was on point..their ears were open...their eyes were communicating! We were a unit again!
We missed Azma big time..in fact we dedicated the show to him and his son. I think that in a way we were playin FOR them and their big chance to be together...sending love from afar.
For me personally it was a victory....I was deeply saddened by the thoughts of not going to the show...the debates and the obstacles thrown in my way made me question my Self and a lot of other things. I thought "what would my heroes do?" they would be at the road block waiting for them to open the gates so they could play the gig...they would play Maggott Brain on one string...they would let the audience dictate the momentum of the show...they would soldier on and do the damn thing...
Well...now my band is my hero.
We almost didn't GO! The show Yesterday was a Blizzast! An epic adventure in the name of Funk!
Due to several reasons...Azma not being able to make it for a VERY SPECIAL reason, Not having a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive a couple folks up, the INCREDIBLE blizzard that had most of the roads CLOSED, we ALMOST didn't even bother going up the hill!
Xmas Day was spent in speculation and wonder..fear was growing in the ranks. We had realized that we didn't have a 4X4 reserved about a week back and tried in vain to get one. The news and online tools all pointed to it being impossible to get to Telluride. A HUGE storm was passing thru..dumping 40 inches of snow on Telluride in 24 hours! I couldn't get thru to the club to find out what was going on and around 1 am I fell out...worried about the morning.
Popped up at about 7 and found that one road I was worried about was open according to the CDOT website. Yet the TV said that it was impossible to get to Telluride. I called the police up there and the officer told me that "If you aren't in Telluride NOW..you aren't getting to Telluride today!" So I left a message with the club that we weren't going to head up. Sent out the word to the band and went about relaxing.....about an hour later that all changed!
Got a call from Tom at the Club finally! He said that we could make it...Oh lord...I called the cops again...different officer...."if you can get to Grand Junction you can get here!!" Well....I-70 was open all the way!
Took about another hour to finally re-assemble the troops. Another couple hours to get out to the Airport to pick up the vehicle and back and get loaded up and all...buying tire chains along the way home. We were OFF..
The ride was breezy till we got to Vail Pass...that's when we had our first "oh hell" moment. A huge chunk of snow hit the windshield..like 4 inches deep...sliding off the mountain in front of me in a mini avalanche. Took my feet up off the pedals and relaxed. Kept on keepin on and it was really no problem till we got past Glenwood Springs...that's when everything changed!
It was getting dark..the snow was THICK and blowing all over the place. My fellow travellers on the road were mainly a bunch of wimps tho. I would try to conform and sit in line with them..but found that following an idiot that slams on their breaks at every curve was much more dangerous than riding in the other lane with nobody in front of me. I LOVE driving in the snow...and I got my fill of it! The conditions were about as bad as I had ever driven in till we got to Grand Junction...At one point Tom called me..."hows it going?" he asked...."Much better than it is for the truck that just flipped into the ditch in front of me bro" was my reply. I counted at least 5 wrecks in that stretch of highway...with a jack-knifed tractor-trailer being one of them on an off ramp. There were times that I had to imagine I was a goalie in Hockey...keeping track of the sides of the roads cuz I couldn't really see in front of me at all.
Then it was like there was NO snow at all..not even on the ground..a Big patch of clean easy driving...I thanked the heavens for the break. As soon as we headed south it was clear! For a while. After a bit the snow came back...hard and heavy. My biggest problem now tho was the fools with their brights on illuminating the storm and not the roads..the jerks who flashed their lights at me cuz they didn't see me turn off my brights...
One of the HIGHLIGHTS of the trip was calling KURT and asking for Directions! Thank GOD somebody bought him a GPS for Xmas!
At long last we arrived safe and sound! Sent Missy and Mike to deal with the Hotel and the rest of us Loaded in..set up and got HIGH as a kite!
Now the show....The show was one of the best shows musically that we have put on in a LONG time. We started off with Music For My Mother and mugs were dancing like freaks from the TOP! We had all decided to stretch things and experiment a bit. It paid off.
I was really loving my set up of amps for the evening. The old Twin (that is now dubbed 7 but pronounced Seb'n) and the Boogie blended with the stereo delay sounded like they were made for each other! Izabella came thru and sent me into a sexual frenzy that I hadn't experienced in decades! I was fuckin her good all over the place...grinding the frets on my amp...droppin her on the gound and makin her rumble...calling down the thunder by scratching the springs in the back...most of the old tricks from my Jimi and Stevie worshipping daze. She held her tuning pretty well and maintained playability thru the night...She's BACK for real now! Plus I know I can put her thru the ropes and have a great place to take her to for tender love and care!
With Tear the Roof we hit the nail on the head baby... had the crowd in our hands...they kept the chant going and going....and we would drop out and let them take charge...THIS is the FIRST Time that we ever got our audience to that point...that point in a show where the band becomes secondary and the crowd takes over. It didn't stop there.
Kurt and Murphy dropped into a pocket while I tuned up that had every lady in front of me wet and all the dudes boned up....I joined in and they tried to stop, but I couldn't let those people down like that till they got a nut! We kept the jam going and it ended up being a real highlight of the evening...the horns hit some great lines they had been working on and I sang the Cajun Stripper Queen over it cuz it had that Dirty sexy Big Easy vibe on it.
Maggott Brain...oh hell...I told the crowd to start makin out and to get out their lighters...they did..it was beautiful!
I was bending that Strat's strings farther than I have since the early 90s...she was on fire...FINALLY I broke one..the b string snapped under the tension...."What would Mike do?" I went apeshit on the high e string...moving to the g occasionally but over all I just played a few more minutes on one string...getting the melody to come thru as well. We even managed to pull off the heavy ending...
There were TONS of great moments... a few "ass-pie" moments. But basically we did great..
Missy really shone thru ! We mapped out a few things on the ride up and it paid off big time. Her voice was strong all night and we had some really good blends! She was confident and sure of herself all night long! It was a pleasure to behold!
The Horns were horny and groovin......a lot of good stuff was coming thru and they sounded tight as could be. I loved it seeing the charts fall to the ground in a pile! We don't need to stinkin charts! Mike and Jimmy both had some major solo's...at one point in the night there was a crowd of mugs just eggin them on...eating up every note! tha bomb! We did a lot of give and take and took each other into different phrasing and note combos...how fun!
Kurt slammed some major shit Solo'd his ass off and really held things down...we had some great improvisational moments too
The Lock Brothers? the three of us were locked tight as our sphincters were on the ride up! LOL.
Murpholoptic? SHEEEITTT>..he drove the whole way and played a killer show...In fact...while we were just setting up and getting ready to start soundcheck..he hit just a couple of notes on the drums and it made the kundalini shoot up my spine! The rest of the night was no different. His vocals were killer too...Soldier.
Everybody was on point..their ears were open...their eyes were communicating! We were a unit again!
We missed Azma big time..in fact we dedicated the show to him and his son. I think that in a way we were playin FOR them and their big chance to be together...sending love from afar.
For me personally it was a victory....I was deeply saddened by the thoughts of not going to the show...the debates and the obstacles thrown in my way made me question my Self and a lot of other things. I thought "what would my heroes do?" they would be at the road block waiting for them to open the gates so they could play the gig...they would play Maggott Brain on one string...they would let the audience dictate the momentum of the show...they would soldier on and do the damn thing...
Well...now my band is my hero.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Izabella by Citrus
From Citrus' myspace blog
Back in '85 I went to this guitar shop in the northern suburbs of denver. On the wall was MY guitar...I felt it pulling me towards it...I just couldn't take my damn eyes off of it.
Being a young cat...16yrs old...I really had no duckets for this guitar...I mean $310!!! c'mon!
I put it on Layaway! and went in and paid on it whenever I could...taking Polaroid pics of me and my baby to keep me going! In fact...MOM has a picture of me and Izabella on her fridge to this DAY!
I TRULY felt that either Jimi Hendrix or Garry Shider had owned that guitar....Hendrix was ruled out when I found it was a '72. Shider has since confirmed that he thinks he owned the guitar at one point in the Glory Daze.
Anyway...This gorgeous Blonde Strat with a Maple Neck....I took it home and played it to death...but noticed right away that it played like CRAP! I took it in to AXE Haven and had it refretted! In keeping with my poor financial situation and the sillyness of being a teenager...I didn't have them finish the neck....then I even went so far at to Scallop a few of the frets down at the bottom...I played her SO much...falling asleep with her....doing all the things that good guitarist does...tripped acid....went rollorblading LOL ...everything..with my guitar. If there has EVER been a guitar that actually felt like it was a PART of ME...it's THIS guitar...
Well...I have been broken for a while! I played that guitar to death! I traded it, I sold it...and I bought it back every time...I figure I let her go about 4 or 5 times and bought her back for $310 every time! I traded her for a Danelectro Doubleneck Bass with an 8 string neck! I traded her for Marshall Stacks...for ART amps when they were hot...for money...I always got her back tho!
in '02 she went with me overseas to Europe and Africa...In Africa she was in the wreck that we had...Al Davis, all 300lbs of him, dropped right on to her...I thought she was crushed...I used her in her leapord skin case to break open the big window to the van so that we could WALK out instead of climb up thru the little windows...Hell she was damn near in tune! Just played like SHIT!
I took her in to a few shops and had her refretted and tried to bring the life into her...but I wasn't ready personally I guess...cuz she wouldn' be fixed.
Recently, my Mentor and friend Mike Hampton came thru town...He showed me a hot little left handed strat that he had bought on the Isle of Wight!... It set me into action. I HAD to get Izabella back in action..OUT of the case and INTO my arms! (like a Billy Ocean song)
I just can't bare to see her and NOT touch her...but touching her drove me NUTZ!....so I took her in recently....expecting the cat to say...oh man the neck is beyond help etc etc...
but NO...she is home...she has had a heart transplant...a sweet set of pickups and new wiring...a GREAT job of setting her up and all... I mean...she plays better than she EVER has before. I can't put her down..
Back in '85 I went to this guitar shop in the northern suburbs of denver. On the wall was MY guitar...I felt it pulling me towards it...I just couldn't take my damn eyes off of it.
Being a young cat...16yrs old...I really had no duckets for this guitar...I mean $310!!! c'mon!
I put it on Layaway! and went in and paid on it whenever I could...taking Polaroid pics of me and my baby to keep me going! In fact...MOM has a picture of me and Izabella on her fridge to this DAY!
I TRULY felt that either Jimi Hendrix or Garry Shider had owned that guitar....Hendrix was ruled out when I found it was a '72. Shider has since confirmed that he thinks he owned the guitar at one point in the Glory Daze.
Anyway...This gorgeous Blonde Strat with a Maple Neck....I took it home and played it to death...but noticed right away that it played like CRAP! I took it in to AXE Haven and had it refretted! In keeping with my poor financial situation and the sillyness of being a teenager...I didn't have them finish the neck....then I even went so far at to Scallop a few of the frets down at the bottom...I played her SO much...falling asleep with her....doing all the things that good guitarist does...tripped acid....went rollorblading LOL ...everything..with my guitar. If there has EVER been a guitar that actually felt like it was a PART of ME...it's THIS guitar...
Well...I have been broken for a while! I played that guitar to death! I traded it, I sold it...and I bought it back every time...I figure I let her go about 4 or 5 times and bought her back for $310 every time! I traded her for a Danelectro Doubleneck Bass with an 8 string neck! I traded her for Marshall Stacks...for ART amps when they were hot...for money...I always got her back tho!
in '02 she went with me overseas to Europe and Africa...In Africa she was in the wreck that we had...Al Davis, all 300lbs of him, dropped right on to her...I thought she was crushed...I used her in her leapord skin case to break open the big window to the van so that we could WALK out instead of climb up thru the little windows...Hell she was damn near in tune! Just played like SHIT!
I took her in to a few shops and had her refretted and tried to bring the life into her...but I wasn't ready personally I guess...cuz she wouldn' be fixed.
Recently, my Mentor and friend Mike Hampton came thru town...He showed me a hot little left handed strat that he had bought on the Isle of Wight!... It set me into action. I HAD to get Izabella back in action..OUT of the case and INTO my arms! (like a Billy Ocean song)
I just can't bare to see her and NOT touch her...but touching her drove me NUTZ!....so I took her in recently....expecting the cat to say...oh man the neck is beyond help etc etc...
but NO...she is home...she has had a heart transplant...a sweet set of pickups and new wiring...a GREAT job of setting her up and all... I mean...she plays better than she EVER has before. I can't put her down..
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Pilgrimage to Madison Headquarters by Citrus
From Citrus' myspace blog
I made the Pilgrimage to Madison Headquarters again yesterday!
I headed out at about 10 am. Had some smooth sailing till I came upon a pretty ugly accident on the I-25 corridor. Didn't look like anybody got hurt, but they were obviously freaked OUT! I counted my blessings and moved on down the road. It's about 65 miles away from the house. I look forward to the drive because it takes you thru some really beautiful country. The last stretch goes along a killer razor back formation of rocks!
The place doesn't look like an amplifier factory at all...in fact the first time I went up there I went to the house first and not the shop! This time tho...I parked and went right to the shop's door. Ron came to the door and it was "oh HEY DUDE!!!" from the both of us! He took me into the depths of the shop! The last time I went up there I got a tour of the place and they were spread out all thru the building.
THIS time tho they were all holed up in one little section, by the wood burning stove. Eric and Ron were working on wedges while Andy was in his office. Ron took me to Andy but we headed right to the little work room where it's ALL going down. The spot is normally just for the speaker construction. The wood shop...so it's covered in sawdust. The wood-burning stove is fed the little scraps and unusable bits from the cabinets and wedges and heads.. All real wood here. I didn't ask a thousand questions...but my eyes were everywhere! There was no press board or crap of lesser amps. I was impressed by their obvious ingenuity and flexibility. They are getting the job done man!
Eric was skillfully building a wedge. He was all business the whole time...workin away. Andy and Ron and I sorta BS'd a bit about the Myspace and Distributors and the questions and suggestions that people are sending in to the Myspace page.
I asked Andy to blog a bit more cuz folks seem to really dig when he blogs...HE then took me to look at a bunch of Cabinets in his office.
"You wanna blog man? I got something for you Bog!" He showed me the covers that go on the corners of each cab. They were all filed to a sharp point where the pieces of wood actually meet. "That Fucker in there (Ron) Files these all down man...every one of them...cuz it just looks so much better!" In my world of Funk we say "If you have Funk. You have Style" These mother funkers got mad FUNK! I mean...I have always been drawn to the amps cuz of the way they look! Madison amps are some of the coolest looking rigs I have ever seen!
We headed back to the heart of it all and started talking about Distribution more and how hard it is to find the right folks to sell his stuff. I can't imagine what it's like breaking into this market at all! They need to get this gear into real stores in L.A. and Vegas and all over the world! Looks like things may pan out over seas in the near future...which I hope will help with the American market as well.
Ron and Andy went out to the main room of the shop and came back with the wedges that I had come to pick up. Andy then suggested that they mod them and add some capacitors to make the tone cooler. They get to opening them up....Andy says that he will help by just opening the one...but he ends up with a soldering iron in hand anyway..can't help himself. They do the mod and then Ron wraps them up with precision and care..you can tell that he takes a LOT of pride in his work..they all do! Some little inside jokes were going around about sawdust in the cabinets and other things....
We talked music...I couldn't believe that they claimed to not have much theoretical knowledge on the guitars...cuz these cats can SHRED!!...but they do it by ear and feel and emotion....I think they make their amps that way too...tons of Heart and Soul!
I made the Pilgrimage to Madison Headquarters again yesterday!
I headed out at about 10 am. Had some smooth sailing till I came upon a pretty ugly accident on the I-25 corridor. Didn't look like anybody got hurt, but they were obviously freaked OUT! I counted my blessings and moved on down the road. It's about 65 miles away from the house. I look forward to the drive because it takes you thru some really beautiful country. The last stretch goes along a killer razor back formation of rocks!
The place doesn't look like an amplifier factory at all...in fact the first time I went up there I went to the house first and not the shop! This time tho...I parked and went right to the shop's door. Ron came to the door and it was "oh HEY DUDE!!!" from the both of us! He took me into the depths of the shop! The last time I went up there I got a tour of the place and they were spread out all thru the building.
THIS time tho they were all holed up in one little section, by the wood burning stove. Eric and Ron were working on wedges while Andy was in his office. Ron took me to Andy but we headed right to the little work room where it's ALL going down. The spot is normally just for the speaker construction. The wood shop...so it's covered in sawdust. The wood-burning stove is fed the little scraps and unusable bits from the cabinets and wedges and heads.. All real wood here. I didn't ask a thousand questions...but my eyes were everywhere! There was no press board or crap of lesser amps. I was impressed by their obvious ingenuity and flexibility. They are getting the job done man!
Eric was skillfully building a wedge. He was all business the whole time...workin away. Andy and Ron and I sorta BS'd a bit about the Myspace and Distributors and the questions and suggestions that people are sending in to the Myspace page.
I asked Andy to blog a bit more cuz folks seem to really dig when he blogs...HE then took me to look at a bunch of Cabinets in his office.
"You wanna blog man? I got something for you Bog!" He showed me the covers that go on the corners of each cab. They were all filed to a sharp point where the pieces of wood actually meet. "That Fucker in there (Ron) Files these all down man...every one of them...cuz it just looks so much better!" In my world of Funk we say "If you have Funk. You have Style" These mother funkers got mad FUNK! I mean...I have always been drawn to the amps cuz of the way they look! Madison amps are some of the coolest looking rigs I have ever seen!
We headed back to the heart of it all and started talking about Distribution more and how hard it is to find the right folks to sell his stuff. I can't imagine what it's like breaking into this market at all! They need to get this gear into real stores in L.A. and Vegas and all over the world! Looks like things may pan out over seas in the near future...which I hope will help with the American market as well.
Ron and Andy went out to the main room of the shop and came back with the wedges that I had come to pick up. Andy then suggested that they mod them and add some capacitors to make the tone cooler. They get to opening them up....Andy says that he will help by just opening the one...but he ends up with a soldering iron in hand anyway..can't help himself. They do the mod and then Ron wraps them up with precision and care..you can tell that he takes a LOT of pride in his work..they all do! Some little inside jokes were going around about sawdust in the cabinets and other things....
We talked music...I couldn't believe that they claimed to not have much theoretical knowledge on the guitars...cuz these cats can SHRED!!...but they do it by ear and feel and emotion....I think they make their amps that way too...tons of Heart and Soul!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Last ’08 Denver show + Lincoln, NE on Sat!
Just want to let you know we'll be doing our last Denver gig for 2008 on Friday night, Nov 21: the Warren Miller after-party at the Paramount Cafe, 519 16th Street in downtown Denver. We'll hit around 10 p.m.
If you've ever gone to one of these Warren Miller events, well, we don't need to tell you--it's off the chain! If you're hankering for a helluva party, you should come by. It's your last chance to party with the Pipe in D-Town this year--let's go out with a bang!
On Saturday night, Nov 22, we'll be making our debut in Lincoln, Nebraska, so if you're out that way or have peeps, let 'em know we'll be at the Box Awesome, 815 O Street. We'll be playing with two awesome Lincoln-area bands: Son of 76 and Electric Soul Method.
They made a really cool poster for us, check it out:
Don't forget that you can now order United Sound Pipe online!
We'll also have CDs available at all our shows so we hope to see you soon!
Funk On,
U.S. Pipe
us-pipe.com reverbnation.com/uspipe myspace.com/uspipe uspipe.ning.com
Monday, November 17, 2008
My $250 Cigarette!!!! by Azma
From Azma's myspace blog
So saturday night My band, U.S PIPE Rocked a show up in winter park at the Winter Park Pub!!! Dope ass show!!! Those cats know how to get down on the good foot!!! It was our 2nd time up and they were jus' as wild as the 1st, Rocked wit' us from 10-2am. NON-STOP!!
Aiight, So the shows over, we load up our equipment, sign some cd's, drink some"danks", and roll out!!
Now I know that we have all been to hotels were they got signs up that say no smoking, right? Right. Otay!! And I'm sure that some people disregard these signs, like me!! Hahahaha!! This "BAD MUTHAFUCKA", (me) pulls a "SUPER STUPID", while I "ENJOY LIFE", and decides to smoke a muthafuckin' cigarette!!!! Tsk, tsk, tsk!!! Bad choice!!! In my state of Ignorant bliss...hahaha...I payed no attention to the sign that said, "No smoking in the rooms, violators will be subject to a $250 fine." Now keep in mind, I've smoked in most hotel rooms that had similar signs, but they never inforced them...Hell to tha naw...not this time!!!! apparently ALL of the rooms on the 2nd floor were jus' remodeled, new carpet, new paint, new furniture, new everything!!! Damnit!
And duh, I'm in winter park, where their only goal is to make scrilla!!
Ok, Sunday morning I roll out wit' the horn players and Everythang is coo', or so I Think!! Remember ignorant bliss? I get to denver, do what I gotta do for my day, go home and chill....Citrus texted me and says, "Winter park promoter called...great show...someone smoked in room 203...Owe best western $250...
DAMNIT!!! A brotha' shoulda used a "SMOKESCREEN"!!! oh yeah I'm on a roll!!! hahahahaha!! So now my dumb ass has to "WRITA' MAN" a $250 dolla' check! Ain't that a bitch! for a goddamn cigarette, thee most expensive muthafuckin' cigarette to touch my lips!! I should call em' and see if they still got the butt so I can put that shit in a gold case or some shit! So after my first reaction I laughed so muthafuckin' hard that I was cryin', my stomach is still sore from laughin so damn hard!!! If I can't laugh at myself, then who the fuck can I laugh at?
So the moral of the story is....fuck it ain't no damn moral, next time you wanna smoke, take yo' ass outside!!!
Maybe Hotels should start usin' a picture of my ass handin' over a $250 dolla' check to keep people from smokin' in their rooms!!! hahahaha! yeah laugh it up, jus' be glad it wasn't you!!
On the serious tip....My apologies to Jeff Williams, The Promoter for the pub, and to The best western....and especially my band!! My bad!!
Peace
Azmorphius.... the man who paid $250 for a cigarette!!
So saturday night My band, U.S PIPE Rocked a show up in winter park at the Winter Park Pub!!! Dope ass show!!! Those cats know how to get down on the good foot!!! It was our 2nd time up and they were jus' as wild as the 1st, Rocked wit' us from 10-2am. NON-STOP!!
Aiight, So the shows over, we load up our equipment, sign some cd's, drink some"danks", and roll out!!
Now I know that we have all been to hotels were they got signs up that say no smoking, right? Right. Otay!! And I'm sure that some people disregard these signs, like me!! Hahahaha!! This "BAD MUTHAFUCKA", (me) pulls a "SUPER STUPID", while I "ENJOY LIFE", and decides to smoke a muthafuckin' cigarette!!!! Tsk, tsk, tsk!!! Bad choice!!! In my state of Ignorant bliss...hahaha...I payed no attention to the sign that said, "No smoking in the rooms, violators will be subject to a $250 fine." Now keep in mind, I've smoked in most hotel rooms that had similar signs, but they never inforced them...Hell to tha naw...not this time!!!! apparently ALL of the rooms on the 2nd floor were jus' remodeled, new carpet, new paint, new furniture, new everything!!! Damnit!
And duh, I'm in winter park, where their only goal is to make scrilla!!
Ok, Sunday morning I roll out wit' the horn players and Everythang is coo', or so I Think!! Remember ignorant bliss? I get to denver, do what I gotta do for my day, go home and chill....Citrus texted me and says, "Winter park promoter called...great show...someone smoked in room 203...Owe best western $250...
DAMNIT!!! A brotha' shoulda used a "SMOKESCREEN"!!! oh yeah I'm on a roll!!! hahahahaha!! So now my dumb ass has to "WRITA' MAN" a $250 dolla' check! Ain't that a bitch! for a goddamn cigarette, thee most expensive muthafuckin' cigarette to touch my lips!! I should call em' and see if they still got the butt so I can put that shit in a gold case or some shit! So after my first reaction I laughed so muthafuckin' hard that I was cryin', my stomach is still sore from laughin so damn hard!!! If I can't laugh at myself, then who the fuck can I laugh at?
So the moral of the story is....fuck it ain't no damn moral, next time you wanna smoke, take yo' ass outside!!!
Maybe Hotels should start usin' a picture of my ass handin' over a $250 dolla' check to keep people from smokin' in their rooms!!! hahahaha! yeah laugh it up, jus' be glad it wasn't you!!
On the serious tip....My apologies to Jeff Williams, The Promoter for the pub, and to The best western....and especially my band!! My bad!!
Peace
Azmorphius.... the man who paid $250 for a cigarette!!
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