Tag Archive for "joy"
Brenton’s Holiday LoveFest – Chris Bridge
In the spirit of the holidays, and the joys of expressing your love and appreciation for those close to you, I am writing about my bandmates. I want them and the world to know how much I appreciate their hard work and the people that they are. Part Four: Chris Bridge.
Chris is new to me. Every time I hang out with him I’m more pleasantly surprised than the last time. He’s growing on me. There’s nothing I enjoy more than watching him open up a little more each time. I know that I can look forward to a lot of good times with him in the future (I mean, I did book him a birthday show in fucking VEGAS!) but that’s not all I appreciate about Chris.
Being that I was a drummer when I first started music, I understand that the passion for the most BASIC elements of music come from rhythm. There is an intricate balance of musicality and tempo that is just the beginning of knowing what it is to be a good drummer. Thankfully, Chris not only loves music and what it can do, but is trying his hardest to understand it. This, to me, shows an inquisitive and sensitive side in his approach to life. He is very diligent and educated. These qualities translate into life so perfectly that it’s hard to pretend that Chris is anything other than squared away. Good-lookin’, polite and potent, Chris is the ideal anchor for thatwasthen.
Since his musical preferences span everything from metal to jazz it is very easy to work and write with Chris. Emotional value goes a long way in his playing-style, which is VERY important in my opinion. His temperate and modest attitude is soothing and inspiring to me, and though we’re only beginning to get to know each other as friends, I know that I have much to learn from him. This coming year is going to be very special for Chris Bridge, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.
Love you, Chris! Give love to the family, thatwasthen-style!
He’s ferocious
Brenton’s Holiday LoveFest – Benny Dacks
In the spirit of the holidays, and the joys of expressing your love and appreciation for those close to you, I am writing about my bandmates. I want them and the world to know how much I appreciate their hard work and the people that they are. Part Three: Benny Dacks.
What Benny has, I lack. His understanding of the forward progress of mankind and humanity make him almost prophetic. And he’s not even a socialite! He’s a computer whiz.(but do we need to delve into that? See: http://thatwasthenmusic.com for proof of his extraordinary vision.)
Instead of musing on his computer prowess, I’ll share a story that’s particularly pertinent on a day like today. No one in thatwasthen is a rich kid. We work hard for what we have, and we appreciate it as hard as we work. Today the band gave their families a personalized DVD for Christmas. We had little else to give but our thanks and our hard work. Ben is an example of that hard work. He and I spent countless hours over the past three weeks putting together something heartfelt but palpable. And when I had to go to work to keep my lights on, he was working by himself. Mixing audio, cropping pictures and designing something we were proud enough to show our families. This is where Ben’s value as a friend and a bandmate TRIPLES. Having the know-how and the focus is one thing, but the drive to carry out one’s own vision is another.
Ben will teach us all how to dream up our goals and then ACTUALLY go about making them a reality. If I had any problem with any thing, I’d bring it to Ben. Because he doesn’t panic. He’s comfortable solving problems. I’m more into whining about them.
He left a few days ago to spend some much-needed time with his family in Rhode Island, and we already miss him. When he returns we will resume class with Prof. Benny Dacks.
Much love to you and your family, Ben. I hope you don’t freeze out there! We need those bass-strummin’ fingers!
Benny gets LOOOOWWW when he plays the bass.
Benny gets LOOOOWW when he plays his bass.
Brenton’s Holiday LoveFest – Nicky P
In the spirit of the holidays, and the joys of expressing your love and appreciation for those close to you, I am writing about my bandmates. I want them and the world to know how much I appreciate their hard work and the people that they are. Part Two: Nicky P.
Nick made an impression on me very early in our relationship. As an easy-going but focused person, his very being presents challenges too tempting to avoid. Obviously we can all speak volumes about Nicky’s talent. He is an extremely passionate and multi-faceted musician. His musical theory is constantly expanding, just as his mind is.
Musical talent aside, much can be derived from the methods he used to develop his talent. We know he didn’t just wake up one day and start ripping like Steve Vai. It took time and hard work, and that’s a quality you can’t ignore. When it comes down to it, Nick can be a very hard worker. His passion drives his creativity and it’s because of his need to express something through music that makes him a perfect friend and band mate. Nicky chooses to slow down so that we can all keep up. He’s too smart, too psychic to ignore what’s coming.
My favorite thing to do with Nicky is share my lyrics and discuss poetry. In school, I always saw poems and art with a much different perspective than most. Nicky is the same way, but different comes with a unique view that I can’t ignore. We are constantly sharing notes and napkin-scribbled quatrains to see what each other thinks.
Nick inspires me. He makes me proud. He makes me jealous! And I am proud to call him my brother. I truly want nothing but the best for him… because he deserves it.
I love you, Nicky! A Merry Christmas & Kisses to the Amazing Papageorges!
We call him Das Wunderkind…
Brenton’s Holiday LoveFest – Nathan Longdon
In the spirit of the holidays, and the joys of expressing your love and appreciation for those close to you, I am writing about my bandmates. I want them and the world to know how much I appreciate their hard work and the people that they are. Part One: Nathan Longdon.
I am so lucky and blessed to know Nathan Longdon. He could possibly be the one person in this world who knows how to handle me at my worst. He is extremely intuitive and social, and the feature that stands out the most is his exuberance. Nathan is a smiling person. Always. That’s what he does; he smiles. I’m sure many of you have seen him onstage, with a big grin on his face, dancing around like a baby bird trying to step out of the nest for the first time.
Nathan and I met when I was in high school, (he was only 10 at the time, but was still taller than me) and I remember having an instant connection to him. His sister Brittany and I were classmates and great friends. Nate and I just hit it off. Everytime he came around school we were shootin’ the shit.
If I recall, it was on my naive advice that Nathan took up the guitar. I simply told him, “If you wanna get girls… play this!” I taught him a few tunes that he learned very quickly and soon he had surpassed my musicianship. By the time he got to high school he was an accomplished guitarist… and then he got his education!
I am able to talk with Nathan unlike anyone else. He is so direct and honest and focused that I find myself searching for things to talk about with him, just so I get to hear what he’s going to say. It is for these reasons, among many others, that I write about my brother Nathan Longdon. He’s a great hugger and an even greater friend.
Happy Holidays, Nathan and family! I love you!
one of my favorites
