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Contrasting Styles Drive Instrumental Rock
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Guitarist TL2, a.k.a. Charlie Harrelson, submitted a three-song demo CD-R of tracks from his upcoming CD Life Without Light. which ranges from heavy metal to ambient, then throw in a little dance mix for flavor. The opening track "Split N 2", is the heaviest track on the CD-R, uncompromising in it's relentless drive, complete with a ragged but satisfying solo section. "Slam Dunk" sounds like it would be a hammering track, but is actually a controlled groove, with ethereal progressive moments, and a clean lead track that spews textured guitar from all angles. The final track, "Spin 8" melds hiphop, rock and dance genres to deliver a virtual soundtrack for an urban landscape. Distorted guitar riffage flies from the speakers, along with some quick-picked rock soloing. Harrelson is quite comfortable mixing a disparate range of styles - it's quite likely the full CD release will feature more of the same.
Charlie was born in Chicago, but grew up in Orlando, Florida. He has a modest recording studio set up in his den, and always keeps a guitar ready to go when an idea hits. During the mid '70s Charlie formed a progressive rock power trio called Crystal Mythos, with drummer Mark Bell and bass player Craig Whitaker. He then went into semi-retirement for more than 15 years before an indie film project rekindled the music flames. Teaming up with keyboard wizard and computer guru Jeff Williford stimulated Charlie into getting back into making music.
Life Without Light is still officially in the works. Harrelson continues to make music under a variety of banners. He has also founded EvO:R, a web site dedicated to helping quality indie bands and solo artists.
Contact Information
Charlie Harrelson
United States
E-mail:
TL2
Web site:
www.evor.com/tl2.html
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Solo Bass Rarity
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Gonzo (a.k.a. D.G. Grogg) submitted a 6-song, self-titled CD-R feauring bass, bass and more bass. Tracks you might suspect as being guitar or perhaps keyboards are delivered on, you guessed it, Gonzo's Steinberger, Ibanez and Synsonic basses. Several tracks ("Morning Mood", "Princess" and "Amerika") are even one-take efforts, with no overdubbing. As you might expect, it takes a master of a number of techniques in order to pull off the melodic and rhythmic challenges, and Gonzo's got em - including harmonics, two-hand tapping, slapping, and sometimes even as much as punching his instrument to enable him to capture his inner emotions. He's put quite an effort into his compositions as well, so if you're into the low end of the musical spectrum, or you are a bass player who needs to broaden your realm of possibilites, check out Gonzo.
Gonzo was surrounded by music growing up, and started on trumpet in the 4th grade. He later turned to bass, and gigged around with his two brothers in both Hawaii and San Francisco for nearly 20 years. He also hooked up as a bass player with various bands on the side, but realized the hard rock scene he was into was not enough to let him play all he wanted to play on the
instrument Gonzo took his bass out to the streets and learned to make money directly from appreciative listeners. He was ready to return home to Hawaii and retire from music, when suddenly the urge to record a bass intensive project led to his current recording.
Gonzo is currently working on a follow up album, and continues to teach privately, as well as play live.
Contact Information
D.G. Grogg
P.O. Box 313
Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760
United States
E-mail:
Gonzo
Web site:
www.gonzobass.com
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
