Gazer

Gazer was originally recorded 26-27 Jan 1994 on 4-track cassette in The Bedroom, Clovis, CA - literally, my bedroom. The riff to this came together via inner-worldy means. It wasn't until about 6 months or so after  I had recorded it that I actually found it (near as I can tell, it was recorded sometime AFTER 11/20/93, as that was the date on the track just before it on the tape). Then, while listening to "Touch The Stars" by Spectrum, Elli and I started free-forming lyrics and came up with these. Thus, our (so far) only co-writing credit. Due to a temperamental tape machine, when I first started mixing this song, the second half got all warbly, so only the "fragment" version was originally released. First on the Bedspsins cassette (ROT 002 - released 29 April 1995), then the CD-R re-issue from 1999, then finally on Bedspins EP 2 (ROT-NL-002 - released 9 January 2010).

I later mixed the entire song in 1999 for CDR1, "A collection of uncollected recordings made during long periods of inactivity." The current mix was done July 27, 2010 and the song now resides in all its glory on 1992-1997 - An Explosion In Slow Motion (ROT-NL-12001 - released 12 January 2012) .

Inspiration

Bedspins (Remix)

...in which we have a new (soon to be abandoned) series of pieces regarding the origin of the recordings of The Sirago 17 (and maybe other things I've been a part of)...


If you've heard of The Sirago 17 at all, then you've heard this song (or some variation thereof).

This particular version was originally recorded on the 10th of January, 1995 on ADAT by Bob Moon at Moonsong Studios, Riverside, CA. There were two mixes done. The first mix, I felt, had the vocals sitting too high. I thought they needed to be brought back in the mix like another instrument. So, we made another mix. Unfortunately, some of the panning and effects didn't get reset or something, so that got lost. I didn't notice until it was too late. Bummer.

This became "Bedspins (Mustang Version)" and was released on the Tooth And Nail Records compilation @rt ©ore, Volume 1 (TND 1018) a little later that same year (I think around the same time as the below-mentioned cassette, or just after). 

When I was putting together our first cassette (naturally called Bedspins), I ran the mixdown through an effects unit and added some preset flange/delay/reverb. That became "Bedspins (Mustang Version Remix). This was released on the original Bedspsins cassette (ROT 002 - released 29 April 1995) and later appeared on the No-Fi Records compilation The DroneOn Compilation (no cat #) in 1996.

Bedspins was re-issued (in a manner of speaking) on CD-R in 1999 with bonus tracks.

Finally, we have a hybrid of the 2 with new effects added here and there. Remastered from the original 2 track mixdown cassette between 15 and 31 May 2009. (The tape got eaten at the beginning, unfortunately, so I had to take chunks of the instrumental bits from the version 2 and the vocal bits from version 1).
First released on Bedspins EP1 (ROT-NL-001 - released 9 January 2010), and currently on 1992-1997 - An Explosion In Slow Motion (ROT-NL-12001 - released 12 January 2012) .

Art Core Vol 1, Droneon Comp, and early rejected covers for Bespins - I can't find the folder that has the actual cover in it anywhere in this mess of an archive.

*The subtitle "Mustang Version" came about because the final home demo I recorded before the studio version was recorded with a borrowed Fender Mustang. Unfortunately, the father of the kid who owned it wouldn't let him loan it to me for the recording. But the name stuck. It seems there are a few things in the recorded history of The Sirago 17 that are confusingly and inaccurately named, much to my faulty memory's chagrin.

Well, 20 years seems like a nice round number.

On November 6, 1992, I recorded my first 4-track tape. It was a demo of what would eventually become Playing With Fire.  On November 6, 2012 The Sirago 17 has been put into cryogenic hibernation.

Thanks to the following people for assisting in achieving something reasonably close to my vision:

Elli Reid
Pablo Rossetti
Vance Hernandez
Ryan Wynn
Chris Barrus
Robert Brown
David Chang
Ken Glass
Darwood Klaswell
Justin Allen
Rachel Ervin
Jack Kilby

And thanks to Valis, Keisha and DJ Stodmeister for spreading the word.

I'm sure I've forgotten someone who deserves a thank you, so thank YOU, too!

I wonder what (if anything) will come next....

-Chris Reid

Clovis, CA

Spam, baked beans, sausage and spam

If anyone decides to take this guy up on his offer and makes some good money in the deal, I expect a 10% finder's fee...
(but if you take him up on it and get ripped off, well, that's your own damned fault.)

IMPORTANT MESSAGE.....

Thursday, April 26, 2012 6:07 PM

From:"Mr. Liu Jianshe"

Dear Prospective Partner,

This is a Management Placement on behalf of Mr. Chen Shui-bian. My name is Mr. Liu Jianshe and I am a top management executive here at the one of the Correspondent Private Financial Institutions of Bank of China, Hong Kong.

My friend Mr. Chen Shui-bian has presented a subtle offer which will need the help of a partner like you to complete successfully. Mr. Chen Shui-bian is in a difficult situation and he must immediately relocate certain sums of money out of Bank of China. More so, this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. Chen. The sum is currently deposited in the name of an existing legal entity. Your role will be to:

[1]. Act as the original beneficiary of the funds.
[2]. Receive the funds into a Private Offshore account activated with our Correspondent Bank.
[3]. Invest/Manage the funds outside of China.
[4]. Value of funds: $35 Million US Dollars.

Everything will be done legally to ensure the rights to the funds are transferred to you. If you agree to partner with Mr. Chen, he will compensate you with 20% of the total sum for your role as the beneficiary partner to the funds. Should you prefer I re-contact you with more express facts, you can send me your:

[1] Full Names:
[2] Personal Profile:
[3] Daytime Telephone No:

Be advised to visit the following links to be better acquainted with Mr. Chen Shui-bian's current profile and personality.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8250099.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8233342.stm

You can email me at: chen010010@live.com for further details, terms and agreement.

Sincerely,
Mr. Liu Jianshe

Hey, does this thing still work?

So, yeah...I guess it does.
Enjoy some spam.
I don't know...seems legit:

THIS IS WHY YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR FUNDS
From: "Mr. Henry Ajagbawa"
To: undisclosed-recipients

Attn: ,
Sometimes, I do wonder if you are really, really with your senses. How Could you keep trusting people and at the end you will loose your hard Earned money, or are you being deceived by their big names? They Impersonate on many offices, claiming to be Governors, Directors/Chairmen of one Office or the other. Their game plan is only just to extort your hard Earned money. Now, the question is how long you will continue to be Deceived? Sometimes, they will issue you fake check, introduce you to fake Diplomatic delivery, un-existing on-line banking and they will also fake wire transfer of Your fund with Payment Stop Order and even send you fake atm cards etc.
Anyway, by the virtue of my position I have been following this Transaction from inception and all your efforts towards realizing the Fund. More often than not, I sit down and laugh at your ignorance and That of those who claim they are assisting you, it is very unfortunate That at the end you loose. Although, I don't blame you because you are Not here in Nigeria to witness the processing of your payment in Nigeria.The problem you are having is that you been told the whole truth About this transaction and it is because of this truth they decided to Be extorting your money. The most annoying part is even fraudsters Have really taken advantage of this opportunity to enrich them selves At your expense. Those you feel are assisting or working for you are Your main problems. I know the truth surrounding this payment and I am The only person who will deliver you from this long suffering if you will abide by my advice.
I also know that recently you have been dealing with people claiming to be the EFCC. They claim that they are helping you and you forward all the fraudulent e-mails you receive to them. At the end they do nothing about the fraudsters. Soon they will ask you to pay money to receive a compensation of $150,000. Do not pay any money to them because they are only interested in your hard earned money and you will never receive any compensation in return, they will always keep coming back to ask for more money.
Please I beseech you to stop pursuit of shadows and being Deceived.Feel free to contact me immediately you receive this mail so that I can Explain to you the modus-operandi guiding the release of your Payment. Do not panic, be rest assured that this arrangement will be Guided by your Embassy here in Nigeria. N/B: You are urgently requested to provide me with the following information
Full Name
Address
Age
Telephone Number
Occupation
Contact me upon the receipt of this mail if you wish to receive your fund and
stop wasting your hard earn money.
Thanks and remain blessed.
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Henry Ajagbawa

---

From: Cheung Pui/Business Proposal

From: "Cheung Pui"
To: undisclosed-recipients

MR. CHEUNG PUI
HANG SENG BANK LTD.
DES VOEUX RD. BRANCH,
CENTRAL HONG KONG,
HONG KONG.

Let me start by introducing myself. I am Mr Cheung Pui director of operations Hang Seng Bank Ltd. I have an obscured business suggestion for you. Before the U.S and Iraqi war our client Major Fadi Bassem who was with the Iraqi forces and also a business man made a numbered fixed deposit for 18 calendar months, with a value of twenty four million five hundred thousand United State Dollars in my branch. Upon maturity several notices was sent to him, even during the war. Again after the war another notification was sent and still no response came from him. We later found out that the Major and his family had been killed during the war in a bomb blast that hit their home.

After further investigations it was also discovered that Major Fadi Bassem did not declare any next of kin in his official papers including the paper work of his bank deposit. And he also confided in me the last time he was at my office that no one except me knew of his deposit in my bank.

As you can see, twenty four million five hundred thousand United States Dollars is still lying in my bank and no one will ever come forward to claim it. What bothers me most is that according to the by-laws of my country at the expiration of 9 years the funds will revert to the ownership of the Hong Kong Government if nobody applies to claim the funds. Against this backdrop, my suggestion to you is that I will like you as a foreigner to stand as the next of kin to Major Fadi Bassem  so that you will be able to receive his funds.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE:

I want you to know that I have had everything planned out so that we will come out successful. I have contacted an attorney that will prepare the necessary document that will back you up as the next of kin to Major Fadi Bassem, all that is required from you at this stage is for you to provide me with your full name and address so that the attorney can commence his job, after you have been made the next of kin, the attorney will also file in for claims on your behalf and secure the necessary documentation for the movement of the funds to an account that will be provided by you.

There is no risk involved at all in the matter as we are going to adopt a legalized method and the attorney will prepare all the necessary documents. Please endeavor to observe utmost discretion in all matters concerning this issue. Once the funds have been transferred, we shall share in the ratio of 70% for me, 25% for you and 5% for any expenses incurred during the course of this operation. Should you be interested please send me your private phone and fax numbers for easy communication, you can write me via my private box (cpuihsb1949@yahoo.co.jp) and finally after that I shall provide you with more details of this operation.

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Mr. Cheung Pui.

---

URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED

From: "BARRISTER JAMES FUNG"
To: undisclosed-recipients

Attention.

I am James Fung, Attorney at law. A deceased client of mine,that bears
the same last name as yours,who died as the result of a heart-related
condition in March 12th 2009.

I am getting in touch with you in respect of the portfolio investment
of my late client lodged in the bank.I am contacting you independently
so,I would therefore request that you keep the content of this mail
confidential and other information that you may come across during the
process.More details will be provided upon your reply.

Best regards
James Fung
Email: james00fung@lawyer.com

On Strike

In 5 seconds, you will be redirected to  http://www.sopastrike.com/

//edit: no longer re-directs

1992​-​1997 - An Explosion In Slow Motion

1992​-​1997 - An Explosion In Slow Motion

The Sirago 17 - Fever Dream (Cosmic Longueur)

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012

Dear Mr. Reid:

Thank you for writing to express your concerns about the detention provisions in the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012."  I appreciate knowing your views and welcome the opportunity to respond.

This year's defense authorization bill would, among other things, authorize funding for the U.S. Department of Defense.  As you know, section 1031 would authorize the U.S. government to detain suspected terrorists until the end of hostilities, and section 1032 would require that certain suspected terrorists connected to al-Qaeda be automatically detained in military custody when apprehended.

Like you, I oppose these provisions.  Section 1031 is problematic because it authorizes the indefinite detention of American citizens without due process.  In this democracy, due process is a fundamental right, and it protects us from being locked up by the government without charge.  For this reason, I offered an amendment to prohibit the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens without trial or charge.  Unfortunately, on December 1, 2011, this amendment failed by a vote of 45-55.

I was, however, able to reach a compromise with the authors of the defense bill to state that no existing law or authorities to detain suspected terrorists are changed by this section of the bill.  While I would have preferred to have restricted the government's ability to detain U.S. citizens without charge, this compromise at least ensures that the bill does not expand the government's authority in this area.

I also oppose section 1032 of the defense bill, which creates a presumption that individuals associated with al-Qaeda will be held in military custody, as opposed to being processed through the criminal justice system.  I disagree with this approach, and believe that the President should be able to hold captured terrorists in the military or the criminal justice systems based on the individual facts and evidence of each case.  Accordingly, I offered an amendment to clarify that under section 1032, the presumption of U.S. Armed Forces detention only exists for an individual captured abroad.  Unfortunately, on December 1, 2011, this amendment also failed on a vote of 45-55.

Once again, thank you for your letter.  Please know that I am committed to ensuring that our nation has the appropriate tools to combat terrorism, and committed to upholding our fundamental constitutional rights.  If you have any additional comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.  I hope that you and your family enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.

          May I wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely yours,

  Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00218
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea 

the sirago 17 - dadaad

Fever Dream (Distant Stations) Blue Weather Ghosts Remix

The Sirago 17 - Fever Dreams EP

The Sirago 17 - Fever Dreams EP

Now available.

Fever Dreams EP

This weekend it'll be up on the Bandcamp page. Not doing anyone any good sitting on my hard drive...it features remixed versions of our track from the Trip Inside This House Summer Solstice compilation by us, Inhale, Plasticstatic and Blue Weather Ghosts. It's not too bad...

Dear Mythbusters... from Maiya (age 6)

Some kids write letters to Santa. Mine writes them to Adam and Jamie.

"Dear, Mythbusters

I love you're show and here is a thainge that I wont you too test it.

What do whal sharks dfend ther self with?"

A new song appears

The first new S17 recording in nearly a decade is featured on this great compilation! Get it, it's FREE!!

Track 6: The Sirago 17 "Fever Dream (Playing With Prescriptions)"

Lyrics: Dan Woodward

Music: Chris Reid

Performed by Chris Reid and Pablo Rossetti

http://tripinsidethishouse.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-and-psychedelia.html

Here it is live:

2011-05-21 - Central California Experimental Media Society Presents:

2011-05-21 - Central California Experimental Media Society Presents:, a set on Flickr.

The Sirago 17 setlist:
Playing With Fire
Fever Dream
Elsewhere
It's a Rainy Day, Sister Ray

SIRAGO COMES ALIVE

The Sirago 17 mk II makes its debut Saturday, May 21 at Tokyo Garden, Fresno. Also on the bill are our friends Ryan Gregory Tallman - celebrating the release of his latest album - and Kevin Gan Yuen (usually known as Fermentæ) -
If you're in the area, drop by.

SWANS and Wooden Wand, Regency Ballroom, SF - March 1, 2011

Wooden Wand were 3 guitarists doing electric folk blues. They, unfortunately, suffered from being NOT SWANS. Seriously, though, they were pretty good (though my friend thought they really needed a drummer). I think under different circumstances I'll like them quite a bit more. I just kicked down some money for their new record on Kickstarter - http://kck.st/f1xUfu

SWANS...
around 9:15 or so, the percussionist came out and turned a drone machine of some kind. Keep in mind, the house lights and pre-show music were still going. After about another 10-15 minutes, the steel guitarist came out and switched on a drone machine. Then, the drummer came out and started noodling on a glockenspeil (possibly...couldn't quite see). Then the percussionist came back out and started playing the orchestra bells. Then, Mr. steel guy and Mr. bass guy came out (I forget which came first) and started noodling, rumbling, and feeding back. At times I thought we were having an earthquake. Then out come Michael Gira and Norman Westberg to much applause. Then they started an almost groovey jam with many James Brown-esque "hit me x times" breakdowns...
Finally, they stopped. Then, around 10:00 or a little after, the first "proper" song started!
And it just got better.
I'm not familiar enough with the new album's song titles yet, but most of it was played - I recognized "Jim", "Little Mouth" (which was the encore), and the live arrangement of "Eden Prison". A particularly intense (but slightly too fast for my tastes) rendition of "Sex, God, Sex" was the highlight for me. All in all, they played about 2 1/2 hours.
Time well spent.
And Michael Gira came out to chat with people and sign stuff at the merch table. Seems quite nice. He chuckled when I told him my first exposure to Swans was the New Mind video on MTV back in 88 or whenever...
Memorable MG quotes (paraphrased):

"We don't do that agression stuff anymore. Now it's all peace and love! So FUCK YOU, CUNT HOLES!!... (laughter)...My band is often appalled to be up on stage with me."

"I love San Francisco...I came here in '78 to audition for Flipper. I didn't get the job."

(not my video - but it's the best quality video I could find, thus far)
Little Mouth (Encore)

Obligatory quarterly blogpost

Elsewhere (live) by The Sirago 17

http://www.youtube.com/user/sweatgoat
http://soundcloud.com/thesirago17

And, as a bonus:

Let's just get this out of the way now, shall we?

I don't think much else is coming out in the next month and a half that will top these, so here's my end of the year list for 2010:

10 records I'm glad to have paid money for (basically in order, but things can change...).

1. The Lovetones - Lost (LP)
2. The Asteroid No. 4 - Hail To The Clear Figurines (LP)
3. Dead Skeletons - Dead Mantra (10")
4. The Dolly Rocker Movement - Our Days Mind the Tyme (LP)
5. Chief Nowhere - Chief Nowhere (CD)
6. Laboratory Noise - When Sound Generates Light (CD)
7. Cornershop - Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast (CD)
8. The See See - Mary Soul EP (Digital)
9. The Third Sound - The Third Sound (CD)
10. Ojos Rojos - Disappear (CD)

Honorable mentions (because 12 is not as round a number as 10):

1. Cult Of Dom Keller - EP1 (Digital) 2010
2. Various Artists - Psychedelica 4 (2xCD) 2010

pre-2010 releases worthy of note (could totally change on a whim)

1. Federale - Devil In A Boot (CD) - 2009
2. The Asteroid No. 4 - These Flowers Of Ours - A Treasury Of Witchcraft And Devilry (2xLP) 2008
3. Lou Reed - Metal Machine Music - The Amine ß Ring (DVD) 1975
4. Graham Day & The Gaolers - Triple Distilled (CD) 2008
5. Colorsound - Soundtrack For An Imaginary Life (CD) 1998
6. The Kinks The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (3xCD) 1968
7. The Stevenson Ranch Davidians - The Stevenson Ranch Davidians EP (CD) 2005
8. The Black Angels - Doves/Drone in G#Major (7") 2008
9. Wooden Shjips - Dos (CD) 2009
10. Spacemen 3 - DJ Tones (12") 2008

Other stuff worth a damn:

1. The Sun Blindness - Far Arden
2. Helicon - Take The Ride EP
3. FIGHTS MONSTERS - ...from the forthcoming FIGHTS MONSTERS album
4. Rachel Bloom - Fuck Me Ray Bradbury
5. Emmalee Crane - Crux
6. The Myrrors - Burning Circles In The Sky
7. Chatham Rise - Chatham Rise EP
8. Syd R. Duke - My Witness Is The Empty Sky
9. The Lucid Dreams (now known as The Lucid Visions) - The Lucid EP
10. Cults - Cults 7"