24 March 2012
article by Rattlebrained
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First is a Columbus stainless steel washboard with bells, horns and a woodblock. It has a traditional spiral crimp profile which means that the metal is shaped with a series of horizontal round ribs going across it and each rib as a spiral like pattern on it. I like this board and its profile which has a smooth feeling that is accentuated by the stainless steel. It is very loud and has a plexiglas “woodblock” that I made and stuck on it with magnets.
Next is…
12 March 2012
article by Rattlebrained
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A big thank you to everyone who helped us, came to, and enjoyed Swamp Train’s CD Launching Party last Friday! We really had a fantastic time!
Amazing really when you consider the discussions we (the band) had pretty much a year ago: should we make one? Too soon? To expensive? All the doubts you can harbor… and then the decision, choosing songs, looking at different studios, prices on the web…
And then the actual recording sessions last summer that fell right in heat wave weather – 36°c/ 96.8°F – in the studio… Dealing with often divergent opinions, discussions, time going by, where to mix it? All hopes of getting it ready by last October brushed away…
9 February 2012
article by Rattlebrained
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Another great video by Johnmcnair, a cigar box guitar maker. To get a glimpse of his work and philosophy browse over to Red Dog Guitars! I write “another” because
24 December 2011
article by Rattlebrained
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20 December 2011
article by Rattlebrained
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A little Swamp Train update.
We’ve been practicing new songs. Although in the long term the plan is to be playing a majority of our own tunes with the Blues you have to know the classics so we’ve been working on both.
We finished mixing the album last month and since then I’ve been working on the cover art. And a hard trip it has been to satisfy all the band members, myself included. Fortunately it is coming together nicely now and the end is in sight…
25 November 2011
article by Rattlebrained
2 comments.
Strictly Jug Nuts at The Chicago Battle of the Jug Bands 2011
Sigh… seems like everything is keeping me away from this blog these days…
Anyway, took advantage of a few spare minutes to browse around looking for some good music (preferably with a washboard or rhythm bone player) and stumble on the Strictly Jug Nuts
14 November 2011
article by Rattlebrained
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Just getting over the last 10 days. As posted Swamp train played at the BAG in Geneva on Nov. 3rd, (see video below) a great place to play but a long trip home. Fortunately I was able to sleep over at my folks place which cuts an hour off the drive; bed time: 2:45 am. Fortunately the Vully Blues Festival where we played on the 5th was closer since with its 4×45 min. sets I for one end up with lead legs and sore all over…