The Whimsical Glimpse Band consists of me, Michael Austin Melton, and my co-writer, composer, drummer, Joseph V. McMullen. I have been playing guitar since I was about 10. Joe has been playing since he was 13. Joe had about 6 lessons. I am self taught. I have been writing lyrics since I was about 16/17 years old; I figure it's time to start doing something with them! I was in a band called SaFire in the late '70's, and did mostly covers of popular tunes at the time. My drummer and brother-in-law, co-writer and all around 50% of this wonderful outfit, Joseph McMullen and I left the band to work on original music. Unfortunately, we didn't get to follow thru with that fantasy until 1998 when we put together a small basement studio. Again, marriage and children postponed our collaboration until this past year. We have put together a bigger and better studio, honed our tech skills, and we're finally doing it! I do instrumentals for "bumper" music, and we are working on songs, old and new. Stay tuned! The clock is tickin'... We are "The Whimsical Glimpse Band!"
For my bandmate and drummer and I, Music is our life blood; and my my Prozac. It gives me sanity. My drummer and co writer Joseph McMullen lives to play drums and write. We hope to make a great songwriting team in the future...
Dream? I’d love to perform. But I’d settle for being a songwriter. Joe feels the same way.
I'd put God back into the world, strip every country of their nefarious leaders, replace them with people who care about their fellow humans, and not the almighty dollar, and "Love one another" becomes the international quote of "words to live by." Listen to "American Dream!"
Anything by the Beatles, of course, but a bit later on it was bands like Yes, King Crimson, Iron Butterfly, that kind of music. HOWEVER -- the most memorable song from my youth would have to be -- you have me over a barrel! It's so hard to decide. I'll have to give you more than one. 1) "I Am The Walrus," 2) Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower," 3) "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" by CSNY 4) "The Court of the Crimson King," I could be here all day, but they are a few, just to give one the idea... but, Iconic in my memory was that Sunday night on the Ed Sullivan Show that 4 English gents took the stage and blew my mind. I was on my journey...
The Beatles, The Doors, Yes, Iron Butterfly, Steve Miller Band, King Crimson, Springsteen, Eagles, Joe Walsh, Heart, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Glenn Miller, Elvis, B.B. King, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny, and I won't continue, for there is not enough space. I truly love music, and there isn't enough room...
Anything brewing inside of me, the world as it stands, people, but a big chunk of my music is given to me by my muse. Suddenly, I will hear a phrase, or a chord progression that actually forces me to sit and get it all down!
Hope, inspiration, mystery, love, the strange and unusual, the "otherworldly," and/or whatever a listener hears in the music...
I feel like I can let it all go and be that wild, free soul inside of me. Also, I play to the expectation of the crowd.
Music is not what it used to be. We are children of the seventies and eighties. We are trapped in that mentality, and we feel it is time for a resurgence of real music, rock, folk rock, soul, hip hop. Maybe throw in some '50s and '60s as well.
It is the place to be, honestly. I tell people this, especially new people who are just joining. Massive opportunities for promotion, radio play, critique, and even more... If you are a musician, join! You'll be here for a long time!
The cost of promotion, and the level of difficulty and hard work one must put into it. HOWEVER -- all of this makes one a better musician, and so much more aware of how fortunate it is to be in the field.
We attend as many venues in the Philadelphia area we can squeeze in. We buy their items, CDs, etc... We promote word of mouth. We're in the greater Philadelphia area.
They should be able to sustain their intent to be successful despite all of the "No's," "Not what we are looking for..." and in general have a solid buffer to deflect disappointment. They should have the endurance to sit at the computer, "knock on doors," take advantage of every opportunity such as song contests, make the time to be available to play anywhere there are sets of ears... Most of all, they should practice as often as possible, noodle around when you can (like while watching TV), and bottom line have the talent and desire to sound great.