November 12, 2006 by Aaron Farrier.

Well, what do you think?! I got a new website, new blog and I got a new Playstation Game last night. All in all, life is good! So, let me bring you up to speed. 

Things are busier than ever. Its occuring to me that I think I write that in every blog, which means, things keep getting busier. I’m playing with SEVERAL groups right now, so to keep this as easy as possible, I’ll break it down one by one.

SHEMONSTER
We’re still hard at work. We’ve hit a road bump here and there, but all in all, things are on a steady course.  “Why Do I Like” you is all ready for mixing. “Death By Texas” is going to get a guitar make-over as well as “Da Freaks.” As I said, Ken Walker (Guitarist for my other band EM5) is really doing an amazing job. Victoria and I keep throwing challenges at him, and he keeps knockin’em down! Not only is he laying down some amazing guitar tracks, but he’s also taking on the task of handling a lot of the bands pre-production work. He preps the Pro-Tools files, records the scratch tracks, etc. Making our actual studio time much easier. I wanted to make sure I gave him props in this blog.

We’re also talking about doing a music video for one (maybe two) of the songs. We have someone who works with E! Entertainment (does editing) who’s interested in working with us. We’re still working on the treatment for the video, but it is undergoing talks.

Oh, and check the “Sounds” page on my site. I added a quick teaser of “Why Do I Like You”

EM5
Speaking EM5! Ken, my brother, and myself have been on a hiatus lately. Mostly due to schedules, but will be performing at The Nite Owl, December 1st as part of a “jam band” night. This should be a lot of fun. I’ve been waiting to do another gig with this band for quite sometime now. We’re all really excited!!!

Mechanics of Things
I recorded with them a few weeks ago and just had a blast. These guys are a riot!  They wanted to record a demo to get more shows, and continue talks they are having with some big-wig NYC producer. (I mean big-wig in a good way…)  I haven’t been with them since the studio, but we’re talking about doing some shows in December and hopefully a showcase sometime after the up-coming holiday. I’ll let you know more when I know more!

Ripple
As you may or may not know, Ripple was my very first rock band that I played with for years. We did an acoustic set a few months back as well as a one-off reunion show at the Tipp City Mum Festival. Well, now we’re talking about doing some more. I think we’ll be playing at the Leaf & Vine (Troy, OH) November 25th doing another acoustic show. We’re also tossing the idea around of doing another club date. The question is…where?  I guess we shall see!

patientZero
Who the hell?! Thats right, I’ve added another band to my roster!  Actually, they’ve added me. I’ve been friends with Chris for a few years now. We’ve been wanting to work with each other since day one, but things never really aligned to make that happen until recently. I just had my first rehearsal with them last night in Cincy. We did a lot of talking and of course some jamming. I gotta tell ya, the chemistry was definitely there!!! Not only are they talented, but they are the nicest people you could come by.

These guys are on the border of mainstream and progressive rock. I really felt the vibe and am very excited to play some more with them. I’ve been wanting to do something in the “progish” realm for YEARS and they are giving me the freedom to do just that. They want to start hitting the venues again beginning in December, so look for me!!! THIS IS GOING TO BE KILLER!

Other than that, not much going on! Been going to see more and more movies lately in my spare time. The Departed, while I had my doubts, is probably one of my years favorite. GREAT movie!!!!

I hope ya’ll are ready to do your Christmas shopping!!! I know I’m not.

Carpe diem,
Aaron

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August 25, 2006 by Aaron Farrier.

While I didn’t actually announce it on this site, I have officially announced that I left Broken Ground. Its time and nothing personal between me and the other guys. Everything is on good terms.NOW, onto what I’ve been up to. SHEMONSTER was offered to open for Billy Idol next month, then after receiving the news that Billy’s band couldn’t do the gig, they then asked us to play WITH Billy. The problem? SHEMONSTER is only a three piece! So, I came up with a plan. I asked the members of my Dayton band EM5 to play the SHEMONSTER music AND Billy’s music. However, as the music industry goes, things did not exactly pan out. Logistical reasons stopped us from actually getting the gig. The point, is that the offer was on the table, and that is good news.Not getting discouraged, SHEMONSTER is not losing a step. Victoria had her friend Bret send the master files to our next tune that I will be recording in early September. This is a rocker folks! I can’t WAIT for you to hear it. I’m BEYOND excited about this track. I also think we’re going to make some mixing adjustments to “Death By Texas” so if you want a copy of the current version for your collection, iPod or whatever, let me know and I’ll get it to ya.

Speaking of recordings, EM5 did some recording of some cover songs earlier this summer. I’ll see where my brother is on the mixing and get some of those tracks up on the website here soon.

OH! While I’m on the subject of the website, I’m happy to announce that April Smith (the designer) is on board for the NEW af.com site. I’ll be compiling the materials here the next few weeks and production shall begin! Any suggestions that you’d like to see on the new site? EMAIL THEM TO ME!

I hope everyone’s summer is going well! I should have more news here soon…

Luv ya! :^)
AF

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February 15, 2006 by Aaron Farrier.

Well hi! I’m sitting here watching a Family Guy DVD, and realized, I haven’t touched base with my friends! So I’ll take a minute to bring you up to speed.I’ve been doing a lot more shows with Broken Ground lately. Because its winter time, we’re staying in the local tri-state area but never-the-less, its been great to be on stage again. We’ve had some great shows with some new material that I’m really getting into. It’s also looking like BG will not be my only musical venture for the year. Now of course, I can’t say anything until things are certain. I don’t wanna jinx myself! But as soon as things come about, I’ll be sure to post them on here. So if you’re really THAT interested, then check back here from time to time. I got a feeling 2006 is going to be a pretty good year. *wink*

Hmm, lets see. Other than that, not too much going on! Thanks for coming back and visiting me here. I hope to have more cool features on the site here before long. See ya soon!

Carpe diem,
AF

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December 29, 2005 by Aaron Farrier.

WELCOME! This is my first of many “random blabbers” on my new website. Which I love…THANK YOU APRIL! Lets give her a round shall we? What to write about…hmm….OO! I know. My concerts of 2005.

Well, I was kinda slackin’ this year of seeing live shows, but never-the-less…here’s a review of who I saw, and what I thought of’em. Just incase you were sitting there thinking, “GOSH! When will Aaron ever post his thoughts of the concerts he saw this year?!?!?!”

In no particular order:
Porcupine Tree: One of my new favorite bands! These guys completely caught me off guard recently with a very unique sound. There live show was no exception to their amazing performance on their albums. 

Robert Fripp: Uhm. I saw Robert Fripp.  Don’t know who he is? Yeah, me either. It was the most confusing thing I’ve ever seen live.  He’s not rockin, but he is…sounds.

Fear Factory: WooWee! These guys are a really tight live band. I really enjoyed their set. They sure know how to get the crowd into it!

Dream Theater: As you probably know, one of my favorite all time bands.  They have yet to fail me live. Once again, one of the best live shows I’ve seen. I think this was my 7th (?) time seeing them.  Each show very different from the other.

Alter Bridge: VERY cool now that they’re not Creed.  I was impressed with this drummer on the album and even more-so live. I thought these guys were really great live. I had seen Creed a few years back, but w/o Scott Stapp or their “Stapp Infection“, they were 10 times better!

Megadeth: Was never a really big fan. I’ll give’em props for their live show. It was definitely that, a show. But to be honest, I only stuck around for 4 or 5 songs. They were good, but enough is enough.

3 Doors Down: Saw these boys twice this year. I saw them last year and I thought these two shows were much tighter.  Maybe it was an off night when I saw them in ‘04.  My friend JT and Greg Upchurch (the drummer) was VERY nice enough to hook me up with passes and tix for both shows that I was at (thanks guys!!) He is one hard-hitting mutha fatha! All in all, GREAT live show and the band is hella-nice.

The Black Crows: WHAT A FUN SHOW!  It was a priveledge to see these guys live. Wish I knew more of their tunes.

Shinedown: These guys were pretty good. Giving them the benefit of the doubt anyway.  Their sound really wasn’t up to par, but that isn’t their fault.  The band itself is tight. The vocals however, were pretty rough. Again, giving them the benefit of the doubt, it WAS near the end of their tour.

Tom Petty: FINALLY!  I waited a LONG time to see Tom and it was a last minute thing to go this time. But it was SO worth it. Probably one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. He’s still got it!

The Steve Morse Band & The Dixie Dregs: I’ve saw the Dregs a few years ago opening up for Dream Theater.  This time, me and my friend Ken had front row and we both got a pic AND setlist from the band.  I was more into the Dregs than the Steve Morse band. Probably b/c I knew more of their tunes. But Steve fronts both.  The highlight of this evening was the drum duet b/t Rod Morganstein and Van Romain. HOLY SHIT!!!!!  I have NEVER seen anything like it.  Made me just wanna quit drums right then and their. I still might…

Butch Walker: I’ve also waited a LONG time to see Butch play live. I saw him in a small club in Columbus on a small ass stage. But let me tell you this, he used what little space he had like it was an arena. This is by far, the most intense show i’ve seen.   It was absolutely amazing! He played favorites of when he was in The Marvelous 3 as well as some of his new stuff.  I can’t WAIT to see him again. That performance will be in my top 5 of all time. Very…VERY moving.

Well folks! Thats all for now.  It should have been longer, but there were a few bands that I couldn’t get to (steve vai, 311, and better than ezra).  Now you may sleep well knowing who I saw, and what I thought.

Carpe diem,
AF

P.S. Did anyone else count how many times I used the word “tight?”

P.P.S. 3 times. I know…seemed like more.

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