That kid you always see

Song I wrote for my band Borders

2011-01-12T14:09:00.002-05:00

New project

2010-10-24T14:06:00.002-04:00

Hey kids,

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been kind of busy. Moving, new job and school, but who cares. Lets get to the news.

Since moving back to Ottawa, I've been in the middle of a new pop punk band called Borders. So far, a few guitar riffs, some rough lyrics and three posi dudes.

Some of my non heavy riffs on this site will be used. "This song has no name" will be worked on. I will be keeping in touch.

Keep rockin'

It's a Long way from home, Johnny

2010-07-02T13:08:00.002-04:00

Eenie Meenie

2010-05-12T20:05:00.003-04:00

Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston...!

Love in the air of Las Vegas

2010-05-03T23:08:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the delay! It was a busy month in April.

This is my new song. I know I promised some tap harmonics, but I was in more of a heavy mood this evening. I've titled this one because I think it is one of my better songs. There are a few riffs I thought I would throw in, that are more metalcore rather than hardcore, but it was a nice fit.

There are a few mishaps midway through, but all and all it turned out okay. I hope you like it!

TAP HARMONICS COMING SOON!!

Break for skill

2010-04-06T18:56:00.002-04:00

So, I recently posted a few new riffs that I had written. What I am going to for the next week or so what I am going to is working some new skills. After playing back the hardcore riff, I decided I need to work on my picking (it's a bit sloppy as of late). Also, a new skill I recently developed. I've used double tapping, and single tapping, but I am expanding to tap harmonics. It is something I think will add a whole new level to my music and hopefully it works out!

So, again, keep looking out for that. A new video will be added with some simple harmonics and then within a few weeks a song including it.

Until then, I hope you are enjoying the songs that are up!

This song has no name

2010-04-05T19:49:00.004-04:00

This is my newest "Record whatever comes to mind" riff. It sounds like a mash up of rock, pop punk. It's catchy nonetheless.

Rough hardcore riff

2010-03-31T16:22:00.000-04:00

This is something I came up with on the spot, decided to record some heavier riffs. It is very rough because my camera is bad. But, nonetheless, here it is.

New Music

2010-03-29T22:37:00.000-04:00

So, My recent video did not work as I wished. It was posted, but then I failed. So, I send my sorry. However, That Kid You Always See is working on some songs. Once they are mastered, they will be posted.

Cheers friends!

Music Block

2010-03-28T15:58:00.001-04:00

So, Recently I have not had much luck in the music making area. So, Like every Sunday, I reach out to fellow musicans and try to find more music. However, this Sunday, I found an old love.

A classic guitar player by the name of Andy McKee. Seriously, look this guy up, His songs are so peaceful and they will inspire you in anything you do. Music, art, writing, whatever it is, his music will help you.

That is all folks.

New song

2010-02-15T22:04:00.000-05:00

There is one mistake, but this is a rough verison. (instrumental)

New songs

2010-02-09T11:16:00.000-05:00

That kid you always see has two new songs in rough without lyrics. I will record a video with the songs once I finish the song flow.

Keep lookin' and I will keep you in the loop!

Digging up old stuff

2010-02-07T09:57:00.001-05:00

Sunday afternoons for me is the day I go deep into the internet and find new music to listen to. Myspace, purevolume, even youtube are the main places. However, last week it was the complete reverse: I found a band I liked 3 years ago, and had not listened to since. New Found Glory has the highest number of plays on my iPod this week. Mainly the CD Coming Home. It is quite frankly their best CD, and I did not know it existed until last Sunday. Finding old gems like that is great. Other 'oldies' I have recently got back into are Yellowcard, The Postal Service and Cartel. Finding new music is great too, but you cannot forget the stuff that brought you too that new band.

This is just a short post, and something I just thought about. Dig up some old disks and have at it friends!

Coming together

2010-01-31T21:05:00.000-05:00

Every band has one or two members who have different styles in music. For example, one could like hardcore, metal etc, and the other could like pop, rock, etc. Or the two bandmates could like different bands in each of those genres. What needs to be done in that case is find a middle ground. Take bits and parts from whatever you like, and whatever your bandmate likes and combine it. It could be simple, it could be hard, but being in a band is not easy.

I know it is a random topic, but it hits close, and I just needed to put it out there.

Later friends.

Guitar lessons

2010-01-26T11:59:00.001-05:00

So I am trying to connect to you guys on a more frequent basis. My last post was just some stuff I wanted to post about my music career. This one is the next step of my career. I am offering lessons on guitar for anyone in the Ottawa Ontario area. Lessons will be on a once or twice a week schedule. It will be 15$ per lesson. Lessons will be 30-45 minutes(depending on the client.)

Please contact me. shane_mcmahon12@hotmail.com!

The long road.

2010-01-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

Everybody has a dream; something they want to do with their life. For some, it is being a doctor, for some it is being an actor, and for some it is as simple as living life. For me, it is playing music and showing people my music. A band.

Now, let me start at the begining of my music career. When I was 14 years old, I told my dad I wanted to play guitar. He got me a cheap acousitc and got me some lessons. Mr. Rick Steeves got my playing off to an amazing start and I went to his house once a week for almost two years. To him I owe graditude. That acoutic guitar I still have, his name is Bart.

About a year or so of taking these lessons, my parents talked and decided that it was time for me to get my first electric. I named him Hugo. (seeing the reference?) A fender strat look-a-like became my own. At 16 years old I started playing eletric. Two of my life long friends were also learning to play instruments: one bass, and the other drums. We decided that once we got decent at music, we would start jamming. Forming a mini band. We recorded one song "Stay together for the kids" by Blink 182. That was my first look at a band.

A year later, a good friend of mine asked me to play guitar in his post-hardcore band. I agreed to play backup. I wrote a few songs with him, but it never really kicked off. This was another look at what a band is, but again, did not make it very far.

Which brings me to this year. I'm almost 21 years old now. Still have Hugo, but just recently I have purchased an epiphone sg. Now living in Ottawa Ontario, a work friend has asked me to play electric on some his tracks, and to write some stuff with him. This time, I think it is different. This time, it is going somewhere. I have reached my dream.

Pop and Rap covers

2009-11-29T14:43:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Over the last few years, Hardcore and post-hardcore bands have been doing cover songs. Most commonly though, are pop songs, and even into rap songs. They are incredible. These bands include the likes of Attack Attack, The Devil Wears Prada, Jamies Elsewhere, A Day to Remember and even Silverstein has got into it. Those are only a handful of bands who have dipped into these types of covers. Here are a few examples:

The first example I am going to talk about is Birdman's "Still Fly." This is a rap song about 2 years old. The cover is done by TDWP. Using their unique sound, Mike screams through the rhymes, and Jeremy adds some clean vocals for the chorus. It appeared on the "Pop goes Crunk" collection. It would not be a TWDP cover without an intense breakdown, so about halfway through be prepared!

The next little bit I am going to talk about Jamies Elsewhere. A not so well known band who has quietly released full albums on "Victory Records." Two covers stick out regarding them. First, an acoustic version of "Love in this club" by the one and only Usher. Breaking down the song into acoustic chords, Aaron adds some meaning to the songs (so it seems). He does it again with "Beautiful" by Akon. This cover is the exact example of adding a meaningful sound to a meaningless song. They have also done "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga.

These are just a few examples. There are two CDs "Punk goes Pop" and a sequel to that. Pop punk bands like Bayside and Mayday Parade have added into the mix, and bands as metal sounding as August Burns Red have pitched in with a Britany cover. All of these covers can be found on Youtube, so I recommend looking them all up!

Thank you, and cheers!

With Roots Above And Branches Below and A ship Wreck in the Sand

2009-08-18T12:41:00.000-04:00

I am going to step away from Baseball for this post and move to the other subject of the blog- music. Two of my favourite bands have released new full CDs this year and I am going to give a quick review. Also mentioned in the blog will be my favourite songs off each. Enjoy.

With Roots Above And Branches Below is the newest CD released by The Devil Wears Prada. It is by far, their best. The breakdowns are intense and I find more structure to their songs.

For example, Gimme Half is a great musical balance of keys and drums. This song has two of the best breakdowns I've ever heard from TDWP in years. Dan's foot work is way too good for his own good not only in that song, but the whole CD. Mike's scream is the best on this CD compared to the first two releases and the same thing can be said with Jeremy's singing. Together the scream and singing harmonize very well.

Along with TDWP, Silverstein has released a new full length CD. A Ship Wreck in the Sand. From what I gather, they have taken a step back to the Discovering the Waterfront days. The new release has guest appearances from Liam Cormier and Scott Wade, (Cancer Bats and Comeback kid).

The first single off the CD is Vices (ft. Liam Cormier). It has a similar sound to Fist Wrapped in Blood off Discovering. Much like the song A Great Fire.

Overall both CDs are incredible. I hope the you like them as much as I do.

Until next time, I bid you farewell.

The Jays so far

2009-05-24T16:45:00.000-04:00

Well the Blue Jays have woken up. After starting the season 27-14, and have now lost the last six and probably more to come with the Red Sox upcoming. As soon as the Red Sox hosted the Jays earlier this week, I knew that reality would set in and the Jays would wake up.

After the sweep at Fenway the Jays rolled into Turner and dropped all three. Six games in a row and counting. The Jays have a stunning 4-5 record in the AL East, and are notorious for sub par playing in their own division. They are beating on the central as usual with a 16-8 record and 7-4 in the West.

A high though for the Jays is the comeback of Casy Janssen. He went 6 innings against the Braves giving up 3. Not a bad start, but again the Blue Jay bats were hiding.

Hopefully the next week with the O's and Red Sox coming up, the Jay's look to regain the lead in the East by beating up on the East

INDIE IS NOT A GENRE

2009-04-14T11:50:00.000-04:00

Indie is not a genre
Shane McMahon
Copying music does not make you independent. It is something you are or you are not.
The word indie comes from the word independent. We hear it in such context as an indie film or indie music. The whole idea behind it is: it is not a major production company– film or music label (i.e Dreamworks or Sony Music).
Indie music is also called underground. The bands generally are signed to smaller, less known labels. Basically, bands on these labels, or bands that are unsigned, are considered indie no matter their type or style.
Indie would trigger the mind to think of Arctic Monkeys, or Adam Green. Both are with indie labels, and are both rock. But, there is more to indie. Bring me the Horizon is an indie band, but because they are metal, they don't get associated with the indie genre. Indie is not a genre!
Any kind of music can be considered indie. Rock, post-rock, experimental rock, post-hardcore, hardcore, metal and, even country all have indie artists.
Any band will tell you that getting signed to a label is the hardest thing to do. The major labels these days want bands and artists to produce music that everyone can appeal to. It is especially hard for a band to get signed when all they want to do is play their music, not what the label wants them to play.
Examples include bands like Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco. Fall Out Boy's first two CDs were their music and what they loved to play: a punk sound with a jumpy feel. Their next two CDs were an entirely different thing: pop. Panic at the Disco once had an ! after panic and the label Fueled By Ramen, did not like it and asked them to remove it.
Once Fall Out Boy was discovered after From under the cork tree, the second Fall Out Boy CD, and entered mainstream. The CD was released under Fueled by Ramen. Their music started changing into a more poppy sound. Infinity on High, the third album released on the label, the music was not the same
Those bands were once considered indie rock. Panic at the Disco not-so-much. They were discovered while playing at their high school. They had less then 10 songs written. All of their CDs have been with Fueled by Ramen. So in a sense, they were never considered indie. Fall Out boy had an EP out before they were signed to the label. Other bands on that label, like Cute is What We Aim For and Paramore are in the same boat as Fall Out Boy.
Indie labels differ from the major labels in this way: they are not in the business for money; they are in it for the music. Bands should not be in it for the money, but the sheer thrill of making music.
Some of the best bands are the unsigned local bands. The reason for that is the major labels find them too independent for their likings. For the band, that is good. Getting signed to an indie label is a success for many bands.
One indie idol is a man: David Bazan. Bazan has managed to stay in the underground for years releasing CDs. His bands include: Pedro the Lion, Headphones and solo projects have kept him busy. An acoustic song-writer, David has managed to play his music and it has been the same style the whole time.
Picture this: average male, beard, button shirt, skinny jeans and an acoustic guitar. That is the stereo-typical indie guy. Not true however. That is how the man wants to dress. A man wearing the complete opposite: clean-shaven, hoodie, and loose-fit jeans is just as indie as the first guy. That is what he finds comfortable. Both dress based on their own ideas and what makes them happy.
This misuse of the word indie when it comes to music is rather bothersome. To be frank, it is like calling a red delicious apple a Tropicana orange. It is one good way to anger a fan of independent music by calling Fall Out Boy indie strictly based upon the fact that the band sold out.
This is another term frequently used within this topic. It is also misused just about the same as the indie. The public assumes when a band signs with a big label, they sold out. No! A band sells out when they sign to a big label, and change their style of music to suit the needs of said label to make money.
There are many bands who signed to a bigger label. For example, Silverstein, a post-hardcore band from the Burlington area signed with Victory Records. The label is moderately large and has a good chunk of bands signed. Silverstein has released several CDs under this label and not a single stanza of their music has changed.
Victory Records focus is on the post-hardcore and punk side of the independent music and is based in Chicago. The label holds bands like Silverstein, A Day To Remember, Atreyu and Funeral For a Friend.
Again, picking up an acoustic guitar and wearing the same clothes of your favourite band does not make you indie. In fact, that is the complete opposite. Being indie isn’t a thing you can reproduce. Indie is not a look. Indie is not a genre. You cannot try to be indie. It is simply being yourself.

THE JAYS

2009-04-14T11:24:00.000-04:00

Here it is; baseball season. The Toronto Blue Jays opened with the Detroit Tigers at the begining of April. They took three of four. That is not what I am going to talk about though. I am going to break-down the offense.

Marco Scutaro is in the lead off. My predictions for him this season:
AVG .295 Hits: 165 HR 15 RBI: 88
Aaron Hill is in the two hole.
AVG .300 Hits 175 HR 20 RBI 93
Alex Rios is the number three hitter.
AVG .310 Hits 190 HR 30 RBI 100
Vernon Wells is the clean up
AVG .290 Hits 175 HR 30 RBI 105
Adam Lind hits number 5
AVG .285 Hits 120 HR 20 RBI 90
Rod Barajas hits 6
AVG .275 Hits 90 HR 16 RBI 75
Scott Rolen hitting in the 7
AVG .268 Hits 86 HR 15 RBI 80
Lyle Overbay in the 8 spot
AVG .270 Hits 90 HR 20 RBI 85
Travis Schinder .290 HR 25 RBI 90

It is about that time

2008-12-07T11:24:00.000-05:00

Well class, we did it, well almost. Just one more week until the break and most of us have survived. It is about the time for last minute scrambles, trying to figure out what is needed to be done, remember what you forgot to hand in and so on. I want to look back on, mainly, those long, very long Thursdays we had. For us section A people, 8:00 a.m is early and many of us saw different sides of each other at that ungodly hour. Then it was break until noon and those civ lit classes. Personally, the writing workshop, I mean, lead class, was the most fun of the day. Not because of the lead writing, but the random comments made from the back rows (you know who you are...*cough* Bill)
You section B folk had it off worse. Six straight hours in 1N16. I shiver at the thought. Way to stick through.
Here is to a great first term, and here is to the next one!
Ta

Breakdowns.

2008-10-30T23:47:00.000-04:00

I am speaking about not car breakdowns, nor emotional breakdowns, I am speaking of course about hardcore breakdowns. For those who are lost already a breakdown is defined as quote "A style of guitar riff used in Hardcore (punk) music that consists of a single note being chugged slowly for maximum heaviness and brutality. Different rhythms and numbers of strums are used in a repeated fashion for usually 2 to 4 bars in length. Written equilivent: Chug Chug Chugchugchugchug ...and so forth."

As some of you already know, I am a music lover. Music is my life, my choice of music primarily is of course hardcore and metalcore. I play guitar, sing and scream and write some of my own stuff. I was in two hardcore bands in Sarnia just a year or two ago.

With the guitar chugging, there is double kicks and timed snare and high hat hits on the drums. The guitar usually is in synch with the double kicks.

It is not for everyone, I know, but I live for breakdowns!

Transition

2008-10-08T21:47:00.000-04:00

I know it has been over a month now, but we are still making a change in our lives. Some of us have been in college before, some of us have moved farther than others etc. But for all of us, we have met knew people. I know since I've been here, I have learned some things about myself and about the people around me. Coming from the (519) area code...yeah, pretty frickin' far, it is a different scene up here. It was nice to get away from home, far from home. Not at all scared though.

Most people here are pretty sweet and fun to be around. Belleville is EXACTLY the same as Sarnia however. The only difference is clean air up here...WOOT CHEMICAL VALLEY! Not really, it sucks. The real reason I came up here to Belleville and travled so far was to change the scenery and see what it would be like to live in a different part of Ontario. Once past Toronto, it really gets nice.

I guess that is enough for this week, I know last week's was a bit less serious, but I decided to sap it up for you guys this time. Maybe some will relate to this. Hopefully, later.

Where is Jeeves?

2008-09-24T13:53:00.000-04:00

Where did Jeeves go? The long lost mascot for the former website www.askjeeves.com, now www.ask.com was fired just a few years ago. He always tried to help one with searches by always asking "Did you mean." We need to find Jeeves and a search engine will need to hire him back!
Please comment.