Couch Riffs

This is the complete conversation during my hang with Jared James Nichols in which the entire video was loooooost! NO! That's okay, the show was salvaged and I got a good video episode still. Please go check it out! Jared is currently on fire and for good reason: he's amazing and just as genuine and cool as he is talented.

I had such a great time making this episode and the song we performed, Albatross by Fleetwood Mac, is an all-time favorite from the psych-blues genius mind of Peter Green. Go check it out at www.couchriffs.com YouTube, IG, and Facebook!

Thanks for your support!

This is the complete conversation during my hang with Jared James Nichols in which the entire video was loooooost! NO! That's okay, the show was  salvaged and I got a good video episode still. Please go check it out! Jared is currently on fire and for good reason: he's amazing and just as genuine and cool as he is talented. 

I had such a great time making this episode and the song we performed, Albatross by Fleetwood Mac, is an all-time favorite from the psych-blues genius mind of Peter Green. Go check it out at www.couchriffs.com YouTube, IG, and Facebook! 

Thanks for your support!

I've known Nabil for over 20 years, been in two bands with him, and clocked countless van miles with him. He's one of the most consistent and rock solid humans I've ever known and I'm happy to call him my friend. Being a big Soundgarden fan, Nabil picked this week's Couch Riffs song and he crushed it! I totally clammed ALL of my weird little bits, though. And, that's how the cookie crumbles here at Couch Riffs, kids. Practice like you will perform (also, Do as I say, not as I do). As for Nabil, our conversation in this video is an abbreviated edit of a much longer story of his trail from small indie label owner to being the US General Manager of one of the coolest labels of all time, 4AD (while still operating his own label, The Control Group). I hope you enjoy! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO BE NOTIFIED OF ALL NEW EPISODES!

I've known Nabil for over 20 years, been in two bands with him, and clocked countless van miles with him. He's one of the most consistent and rock solid humans I've ever known and I'm happy to call him my friend.  Being a big Soundgarden fan, Nabil picked this week's Couch Riffs song and he crushed it! I totally clammed ALL of my weird little bits, though. And, that's how the cookie crumbles here at Couch Riffs, kids. Practice like you will perform (also, Do as I say, not as I do).  As for Nabil, our conversation in this video is an abbreviated edit of a much longer story of his trail from small indie label owner to being the US General Manager of one of the coolest labels of all time, 4AD (while still operating his own label, The Control Group). I hope you enjoy!  PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO BE NOTIFIED OF ALL NEW EPISODES!

To say that Brad Houser merely impacted my musical life is hardly true. He almost entirely put me on a course, in fact. I must've seen Critters Buggin' 25 times in Seattle in the 90s and when I couldn't find myself a guitar gig I got myself a bass gig. Brad was my guy. I even started a band with some friends that was our answer (read: attempted rip off) to Critters, an instrumental band consisting of my 3 different basses (4 and 5 string plus fretless), drums and a percussionist, and a clarinetist. So, yeah. Brad had an influence on me. And, as I've said a million times: playing the bass was one of the most important things I've ever done for my guitar playing. So, Brad eventually influenced my guitar playing by my estimations. Getting in to Critters opened doors for me to go back and listen to Miles, Herbie, and some other 70s stuff like Mahavishnu. Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians' debut album had a break out single, What I Am. As a young rock/metal kid it was unusual for me to get into something like that. I wasn't a Deadhead and only appreciated very few things outside of my preferred comfort zone. But not much. Later I realized a huge element to What I Am that drew me in was the interesting bass playing. There was something going on that I'd never heard before which was so musical, complex and busy but not overpowering. I loved it. The bass just didn't stand out in much music I was listening to. So, of course, when I eventually began playing bass I sought out Brad when I heard he lived in Seattle. We didn't get far in lessons, 2 or 3 I think. But, I went and watched him play a ton of Critters Buggin' shows. At one of our lessons he blew my mind when he told me he was taking an African dance class to help with his bass playing. I'd never heard someone speak of such a completely physical relationship to an instrument and performing on it. He became my benchmark bass player and though I knew I'd NEVER be the bassist he is I figured I had to sort out how to fool folks into thinking I belonged in a category of musicianship that he existed in......In this episode of Couch Riffs we talk about some of this stuff. PLUS, Brad's new signature bass coming out with Reverend Guitars. Brad and I stayed friendly over the years and when we would run into each other it was always fun and good to catch. So, when I saw the band was touring to support the new album (which is great) I was super excited to see the Brooklyn date. Brad agreed to appear on Couch Riffs and here are the results. Always great to catch up, Brad. Thank you so much and good luck with the new album and everything you do.

To say that Brad Houser merely impacted my musical life is hardly true. He almost entirely put me on a course, in fact. I must've seen Critters Buggin' 25 times in Seattle in the 90s and when I couldn't find myself a guitar gig I got myself a bass gig. Brad was my guy. I even started a band with some friends that was our answer (read: attempted rip off) to Critters, an instrumental band consisting of my 3 different basses (4 and 5 string plus fretless), drums and a percussionist, and a clarinetist. So, yeah. Brad had an influence on me. And, as I've said a million times: playing the bass was one of the most important things I've ever done for my guitar playing. So, Brad eventually influenced my guitar playing by my estimations. Getting in to Critters opened doors for me to go back and listen to Miles, Herbie, and some other 70s stuff like Mahavishnu.  Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians' debut album had a break out single, What I Am. As a young rock/metal kid it was unusual for me to get into something like that. I wasn't a Deadhead and only appreciated very few things outside of my preferred comfort zone. But not much. Later I realized a huge element to What I Am that drew me in was the interesting bass playing. There was something going on that I'd never heard before which was so musical, complex and busy but not overpowering. I loved it. The bass just didn't stand out in much music I was listening to. So, of course, when I eventually began playing bass I sought out Brad when I heard he lived in Seattle. We didn't get far in lessons, 2 or 3 I think. But, I went and watched him play a ton of Critters Buggin' shows. At one of our lessons he blew my mind when he told me he was taking an African dance class to help with his bass playing. I'd never heard someone speak of such a completely physical relationship to an instrument and performing on it. He became my benchmark bass player and though I knew I'd NEVER be the bassist he is I figured I had to sort out how to fool folks into thinking I belonged in a category of musicianship that he existed in......In this episode of Couch Riffs we talk about some of this stuff. PLUS, Brad's new signature bass coming out with Reverend Guitars.  Brad and I stayed friendly over the years and when we would run into each other it was always fun and good to catch. So, when I saw the band was touring to support the new album (which is great) I was super excited to see the Brooklyn date. Brad agreed to appear on Couch Riffs and here are the results. Always great to catch up, Brad. Thank you so much and good luck with the new album and everything you do.

What can I say? John Roderick is like my brother, driving me crazy much of the time but I love him a lot. Like anyone close to John I've spent countless hours having discussions with him, like this one, late in to the night. Usually with some iHop pancakes and strawberry milkshakes..... We've been in two bands together. One as bandmates (Harvey Danger) and one with him as the leader (The Long Winters). I can tell you with confidence that I preferred to play with him as a peer, though. John, as he states himself, has a lot of "ideas". You can listen yourself to some of them in my upcoming Couch Riffs Podcast. Our conversation was a whopping 93 minutes long. Sheesh. It has been something like 12 or 13 years since the last record was recorded by The Long Winters. I tracked some guitar (and bass that was unceremoniously recorded over after I quit mid-session) on that record and I think it is a really sweet collection of tunes. I would love so much for John to find the inspiration to commit himself to making the simplest and best record The Long Winters has ever created. Hell, maybe it is a solo record and not The Long Winters? What do I know? What I do know is that John, like tons and tons of musicians and other creatives, is full of self-censorship (except when it comes to talking, duh) based in undeserved doubt. Roderick and I share a love of some, but not all, of the classic hard rock and metal bands. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and this band: Def Leppard. The thing that ALL of these bands have in common? Twin guitar attack and harmonies. We, unfortunately, didn't "completely" nail the harmonies here but I think that all in all we did okay considering that this is a first and only take, like all Couch Riffs episodes. But, what's more is this is a FIRST for Couch Riffs! John SINGS on this episode. And, I should say he did a great job. Thank you for being game for this, John. You were and always are a great conversationalist, player, and friend (sometimes almost always).

What can I say? John Roderick is like my brother, driving me crazy much of the time but I love him a lot. Like anyone close to John I've spent countless hours having discussions with him, like this one, late in to the night. Usually with some iHop pancakes and strawberry milkshakes..... We've been in two bands together. One as bandmates (Harvey Danger) and one with him as the leader (The Long Winters). I can tell you with confidence that I preferred to play with him as a peer, though. John, as he states himself, has a lot of "ideas". You can listen yourself to some of them in my upcoming Couch Riffs Podcast. Our conversation was a whopping 93 minutes long. Sheesh.  It has been something like 12 or 13 years since the last record was recorded by The Long Winters. I tracked some guitar (and bass that was unceremoniously recorded over after I quit mid-session) on that record and I think it is a really sweet collection of tunes. I would love so much for John to find the inspiration to commit himself to making the simplest and best record The Long Winters has ever created. Hell, maybe it is a solo record and not The Long Winters? What do I know? What I do know is that John, like tons and tons of musicians and other creatives, is full of self-censorship (except when it comes to talking, duh) based in undeserved doubt.  Roderick and I share a love of some, but not all, of the classic hard rock and metal bands. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and this band: Def Leppard. The thing that ALL of these bands have in common? Twin guitar attack and harmonies. We, unfortunately, didn't "completely" nail the harmonies here but I think that all in all we did okay considering that this is a first and only take, like all Couch Riffs episodes. But, what's more is this is a FIRST for Couch Riffs! John SINGS on this episode. And, I should say he did a great job.  Thank you for being game for this, John. You were and always are a great conversationalist, player, and friend (sometimes almost always). 

What can I say? John Roderick is like my brother, driving me crazy much of the time but I love him a lot. Like anyone close to John I've spent countless hours having discussions with him, like this one, late in to the night. Usually with some iHop pancakes and strawberry milkshakes..... We've been in two bands together. One as bandmates (Harvey Danger) and one with him as the leader (The Long Winters). I can tell you with confidence that I preferred to play with him as a peer, though. John, as he states himself, has a lot of "ideas". You can listen yourself to some of them in my upcoming Couch Riffs Podcast. Our conversation was a whopping 93 minutes long. Sheesh. It has been something like 12 or 13 years since the last record was recorded by The Long Winters. I tracked some guitar (and bass that was unceremoniously recorded over after I quit mid-session) on that record and I think it is a really sweet collection of tunes. I would love so much for John to find the inspiration to commit himself to making the simplest and best record The Long Winters has ever created. Hell, maybe it is a solo record and not The Long Winters? What do I know? What I do know is that John, like tons and tons of musicians and other creatives, is full of self-censorship (except when it comes to talking, duh) based in undeserved doubt. Roderick and I share a love of some, but not all, of the classic hard rock and metal bands. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and this band: Def Leppard. The thing that ALL of these bands have in common? Twin guitar attack and harmonies. We, unfortunately, didn't "completely" nail the harmonies here but I think that all in all we did okay considering that this is a first and only take, like all Couch Riffs episodes. But, what's more is this is a FIRST for Couch Riffs! John SINGS on this episode. And, I should say he did a great job. Thank you for being game for this, John. You were and always are a great conversationalist, player, and friend (sometimes almost always).

What can I say? John Roderick is like my brother, driving me crazy much of the time but I love him a lot. Like anyone close to John I've spent countless hours having discussions with him, like this one, late in to the night. Usually with some iHop pancakes and strawberry milkshakes..... We've been in two bands together. One as bandmates (Harvey Danger) and one with him as the leader (The Long Winters). I can tell you with confidence that I preferred to play with him as a peer, though. John, as he states himself, has a lot of "ideas". You can listen yourself to some of them in my upcoming Couch Riffs Podcast. Our conversation was a whopping 93 minutes long. Sheesh.  It has been something like 12 or 13 years since the last record was recorded by The Long Winters. I tracked some guitar (and bass that was unceremoniously recorded over after I quit mid-session) on that record and I think it is a really sweet collection of tunes. I would love so much for John to find the inspiration to commit himself to making the simplest and best record The Long Winters has ever created. Hell, maybe it is a solo record and not The Long Winters? What do I know? What I do know is that John, like tons and tons of musicians and other creatives, is full of self-censorship (except when it comes to talking, duh) based in undeserved doubt.  Roderick and I share a love of some, but not all, of the classic hard rock and metal bands. Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and this band: Def Leppard. The thing that ALL of these bands have in common? Twin guitar attack and harmonies. We, unfortunately, didn't "completely" nail the harmonies here but I think that all in all we did okay considering that this is a first and only take, like all Couch Riffs episodes. But, what's more is this is a FIRST for Couch Riffs! John SINGS on this episode. And, I should say he did a great job.  Thank you for being game for this, John. You were and always are a great conversationalist, player, and friend (sometimes almost always).