Song Insight: "Alice Wonders"

Composer: Greg Hintermeister, ©2002
Arranged: Greg Hintermeister
Performed by: Greg Hintermeister
Recorded: 2002 in Hint of Light Studios
Emotions: Hard Rockin’, Intense, Industrial, High-On-Life Energy

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Background: 
Sometimes, in order to take a BIG BITE out of life, to attack a stubborn issue you want gone, or to just remember what it feels like to BE ALIVE, you need the right soundtrack for life. Not some schooshy, lilty makes-you-want-to-curl-up-and-drink-chamomile-tea soundtrack, but an intense piece of music that can meet you down where you are and amp you up to take on ANYTHING.

This is my gift to all those who, like me, sometimes need a kick in the arse to get focused, motivated to finish, and energized to tackle the tough challenges in life. For me, this music is a reminder…

…A reminder that while I may be physically ‘getting old’, I can ‘stay young’ through my emotional, mental, decide-to-engage-in-life attitude…

…A reminder that while I’m here, I can define what is important, love with intensity, and take a suck-the-marrow-out-of-the-beast-of-life adventure and truly live a joyous life.

…A reminder that sometimes, you gotta throw every caution to the winds and you just gotta ROCK HARD! AAAHHHHHHHHHOOOOOO!

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P.S.  This doesn’t mean you have to physically scream…although that helps.  Sometimes all it takes is a subtle attitude-defining ‘ROCK HARD’ hand-salute while on a business trip in Sydney.

…or in Johannesburg…

For me, I need a constant reminder that God has blessed me with this present moment. I can decide how to use and react in this precious slice of time. I can complain, wish for the future, regret the past, or live a searing-focused God-is-here-with-me-let-the-adventure-unfold approach to life.

“Alice Wonders” helps me do this. I hope it helps you, too.

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I LOVED writing this. It has everything I love about aggressive music:

• Simmering beginning
• Great clean guitars
• Pent-up energy finally getting released through screaming guitars and aggressive drums
• Tuned down guitars (dropped C)
• Huge distorted guitars
• E-Bow, providing infinite sustain for great guitar tones
• Piano jamming away with those huge distorted guitars. This is my favorite instrument mix of all. I love aggressive piano with aggressive guitars.
• Many interludes that squeeze out every ounce of energy possible

I wrote this for a Rochester Civic Theatre production of “Alice in Wonderland”, directed by Shane May. He asked for music that was not usually heard in live theatre. I came up with these themes, and I decided the best way to develop the themes and moods of the whole score was to create a piece that tied them all together.

I think the music I ended up providing for the production worked well, but this specific piece was not used. I may have gotten a ‘tad’ carried away with the intensity of this song for live theatre :-)

I am so thrilled with how this turned out.

WARNING: Subwoofers will beg for mercy with the low synth sounds, which may cause ceilings to shutter, water pipes to burst, neighbors to snarl, and teenagers to smile!

If you ever need to get pumped up to fight life head-on, crank this and listen…and GO GET ‘EM!!!

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Technical Specifics:
Recording Unit: Cakewalk MIDI software, Soundscape DAW
Drums: Roland XV-5080, Alesis DM-Pro
Guitar: Dan Armstrong Model 341 “London Guitar”
Guitar Tuning: Dropped C (C – G – C – F – A – D)
Guitar Tracks: 1 lead track (clean and solo), 3 rhythm tracks, 1 E-Bow track
Guitar Effect in middle: E-Bow. Man I love the E-Bow
Guitar Effects Processor: Line 6 Pod Pro
Bass: Keyboards Roland XV-5080
Synth: Roland XV-5080
Piano: Roland RD-500

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Lyrics: No lyrics here. Sometimes they just get in the way of the primitive balls-out energy a song needs to deliver. The melody and harmonies are carried well enough by the guitars and synths.

Of Trees, Love, Locks, and The Danube

Sometimes the romantic in me wakes up. I know it’s been dormant for far too long. The little details of daily living get in my brain and I just don’t remember all the wonderfully romantic things I did when I was courting my Lady Evelyn.

More importantly, I don’t pay attention to the little things that make my life sparkle because of her. It’s not that I need to do romantic things in hopes of making her happy, it’s that I need to do romantic things because she makes me so happy.

I think I just found the perfect way to say “I Love You - A Lot” to my beautiful wife of 17 years.

In Budapest, there is a tree. It has many locks on it.

The legend is that if you write your name and your lover’s name onto the lock…

…then lock it onto the fence around the tree…

…then walk to the Danube River…

…and throw the keys into the river…

…then legend says your love for each other is permanently locked together in a crazy, beautiful, laughing, passionate, procreative, fun, musical, better-than-movie-ending real-life kind of love.

So…I did.

It turns out that I didn’t need a tree in Budapest to lock in the love I have for my lovely bride. We are two blessed souls that have been given the gift of sharing a lifetime of sounds-make-believe-but-is-wonderfully-real love together. No legend needed here.

But, it doesn’t hurt to show that love in action once in a while.

Love you Lady Evelyn.

You make me a hopeless romantic.

Sometimes…Guns ARE The Solution!

Thanks to my friend Steve, I just had one of the most beautiful, exciting, fiercest family-bonding afternoons of my life.

We learned what it means…

…to be responsible
…to have respect
…to laugh out loud
…to share
…to ride

…and to shout “Fire in the Hole!”

Yep. We shot guns.

Lots of guns. Cool guns.

Not just the adults. The whole family (The Nuge would be proud).

And not just at paper targets…

…we shot steel targets
…we shot jugs filled with water
…and shot jugs filled with explosives

That was my favorite :-)

My oldest got to ride hard and fast on a four-wheeler with his buddy.

He learned what it feels like to be free…and to have his life flash before his eyes as he almost falls…but recover and careen back wide-eyed and grinning ear-to-ear. His smiles were priceless. He learned to value and savor moments like this, and to engage the world to take advantage of what it has to offer.

He also learned how to catch air from a ditch at 32 mph.

My girls learned that life can be very dangerous, but with the proper respect and training, that danger can be wielded to their advantage…and high caliber joy can result.They also learned to reload in 2.3 seconds.

My youngest learned patience brings reward, that weapons are not toys, and 4-wheeling is awesome.
He also learned how to double-tap the center mass of his target using a semi-automatic. Oh yes.

My wife got to fire a hand gun. Not just any hand gun. a .357 Magnum. DAMN that was awesome. That bowling pin will never cross her again.

What did I learn?

…the right instructor teaches safety, respect, and fun
…handling a weapon opens your eyes to the real world
…blowing things up is really, really fun. Seriously
…my family is the best
…my wife looks awesome wielding a .357 Magnum
…shooting is the Hope Diamond of quality family time

Life skills result from weapons handling: respect, self-control, knowing limits, joy, safety, fun, friendship, companionship, right and wrong, sharing, connecting with God and nature, all of it. Maybe there’s an essay in the future on this.

Most of all? Everyone will remember this and SMILE!

Enjoy this movie of our adventures…we’ll be SURE to do this again

Song Insight: “No Uncertainty”

Composer: Greg Hintermeister, ©1992, 2010
Arranged: Greg Hintermeister
Performed by: Greg Hintermeister
Recorded: 2010 in Hint of Light Studios
Emotions: Hopeful, Uplifting, Encouraging, Determined

Listen:
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Background:
“This song is dedicated to all the ladies out there” was my into to this song the first I played a version of this song…back in 1992.

I thought I wrote this song to encourage the girls in the youth group I helped lead music for…that they would navigate their teenage-trials with God in their sights at all times.

But now I know I wrote it for when I had daughters of my own.

This song is dedicated to them. I call them spitfire and pistol :-)


These two beautiful, independent, rambunctious, adventurous, insanely stubborn, ferociously loyal, playful, imaginative and crazy-fun girls have turned my life completely sideways with delight.
I pray that they have No Uncertainty as they walk through life.


No uncertainty in the joys of life:
They have taken a big bite out of life already and they’re only 9. They don’t let life pass them by. I can’t wait to see how their adventure unfolds as they get older.

No uncertainty in their self-worth, confidence, self-esteem.
I know what can happen if a girl is down and needs others approval to feel valuable. I know the pitfalls, I know the temptations, I know the spiral downwards that can happen. And I know my weaknesses…what boys real intentions are with unconfident girls. My prayer is that they see how valuable they are and use the confidence throughout their lives.

No uncertainty in the love for each other, the love of their parents, the love of their God.
I’m really stunned at how close they are. Yes I know they’re twins but they love each other more deeply than I may ever know. The best example is when Pistol had a heart stent procedure. They held each other, encouraged each other, and couldn’t sleep unless the other was there. Same thing happened when they were 2.5 months old during her heart surgery. 

It’s during times like these that the need to remember their brothers love them, we love them, and Jesus loves them and nothing will change that.


No uncertainty in their strengths…and weaknesses:
They’re so determined. They work hard, play hard, train in gymnastics hard, and this flows through all their adventures. I pray they understand their strengths and weaknesses so they know where to focus…when someone is trying to manipulating them…when temptation arises.

…that they walk with God and hold His hand when weaknesses surface.


No Uncertainty in their Savior:
I’m trying my best. But I am so flawed. My prayer for them is that I can help guide them through these narrow shoals of their youth. Point out rocky patches I had to struggle through, point out smooth path they could take, and give them my hand when they get stuck in the muck. 

My prayer is they make it through this amazing and soon-to-be turbulent time in their lives as wise young women, confident in themselves, their world, and their Savior.


No Uncertainty of their dad’s love:
I love you, ladies. I pray you will live how Jesus wants you to live. Don’t think you have to follow any preconceived path I have for you. Don’t change your course for any promise of love or affection from a guy…

…keep your eyes on Jesus, and walk his way. That is the surest path to an amazing, rewarding, loving, joy-filled, adventure of a life you could ever have.

Technical Specifics: 
Recording Unit: Cakewalk Sonar 4 MIDI software, Soundscape DAW
Drums: Alesis DM-Pro, egg shaker
Guitar: Ovation 1712 Custom Balladeer (double mic’d)
Bass: Fiama Hollowbody (recorded directly into the board)
Piano: Roland RD-500

Mic Specifics:
Vocal Mic: Sure beta58. I love this mic for my voice. When I record others I usually use the CAD condenser mic as it’s more ‘natural’ and captures the authentic vocal. But I don’t like my voice thru the CAD. I sound too drab with that mic. I like how the Beta58 colors my vocal…adds sparkle and ‘spank’…more rock-n-roll.

Guitar Mics: CAD E-100, RODE NT-1. I love recording stereo acoustic guitar. Such a full sound! The CAD is pointed to the 12th fret, and the RODE sits near the base of the guitar pointed towards the bridge. I like how it catches ‘what the player hears’ when the strings are strummed.
Oh, if you listen REALLY closely, you can hear a ‘ladies’ party going on in the background. The guitar was recorded during a party that my wife was having. Figured it was a good a time as any and if lady laughter came through, it probably added to the song :-)

Note: This has copyright 1992 and 2010 since the B section of this song is new. I never liked the old B section as it didn’t further the story, was to vague, and made the lead character sound confused. This B section clearly shows that every person stuggles with some temptation. In this case the promise of fame. I’m actually quite surprised the guitar part successfully rattled around in my brain for 18 years waiting for the right time to come out.


Lyrics ©2010 Greg Hintermeister 
Verse 1:
You’re walking on a narrow highway, you whistle a song
You’re looking up at a billboard, as you pass along
A pretty lady smiles down on you
She says “Every woman wants to be like me, Well how ‘bout you?”

Bridge: 
Oh, you smile and say with no uncertainty
“I love the Lord my God, so let me be”

Verse 2: 
A little time has passed, and the sun goes down
A handsome man walks by you, and he turns around
Says, “Baby tonight’s your night for love”
You say you couldn’t agree more – as you look above

Bridge: 
Oh, you smile and say with innocence so fine
Well, maybe you lost yours, but I’ll keep mine
B:
But there’s trouble ahead You’re walking into an ambush
They put your name in lights with a promise you’ll be famous
They draw to your side You draw strength from High
They draw streams of lies You draw the line!

Verse 3: 
Daybreak has come, you’re a little worse for wear
You shake the dust off of your shoes, and hair
But you made it though, your battle’s won
You tip your hat to the Father, and His only Son

Bridge: 
Oh, you smile and say with no uncertainty
“I love the Lord my God, so let it be”
“I love the Lord my God”
“I love the Lord my God”
“I love the Lord my God, so let it be”

Coda: 
You’re walking on a narrow highway
You’re looking up at Jesus and you walk on home his way

Fireside Chat

Ever been to a funeral where long after the ceremony, friends and family sit around reminiscing and having a great time remembering that person? I have. The only bummer is that the person being honored isn’t there! Since my dad is still alive and kicking at almost 72 now, I knew I had to do something unique…

My dad turned 70 almost 2 years ago. My brother and I surprised him and flew down to Florida (where they live) to take him on a 2 day salt-water fishing trip.

He was very surprised!

…and we each caught some big ones!

…and not-so-big-ones…

It was a weekend filled with laughter, early mornings, late nights, great food, hurricanes (just one), unique experiences,  manatees, dolphins, long drives, and three men enjoying each other like they did years ago catching crappies in Minnesota on Clearwater Lake.

For a present I created a memory-filled document I called “Fireside Chat”. I wanted my dad to know what an impact he had on those close to him over the years (without waiting for his funeral!) so I contacted family and friends and asked them to send memories, stories, and thoughts regarding my dad. I then compiled it into an imaginary fireside chat.

--> Click Here to Read “Fireside Chat” <--

I’ve always meant to share it sooner, but there it is now. Enjoy.

I love you, Dad. Hope we can do this again on your 80th.

2010-07-23: Ted Nugent

07-23-2010: Ted Nugent, with Val Halla
Where: The Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake Iowa
Went with: Steve

My new litmus test: WWTD?

Ya. I’m gonna get in trouble for this one…

I LOVED the Ted Nugent concert. I left me so inspired to LIVE LIFE! Nowhere else have I experienced such passion and purpose, or to paraphrase, “…to suck the marrow from the freshly-killed gift of life that feeds the fire-breathing, rock-igniting soul for another beautiful day of freedom-filled defiance-breeding ROCK. LIVE AT THE HIGH DECEBELS”

He is 62 years old and rocks like nobody else. He’s got some killer guitars, including 2 custom PRS (zebra striped and camouflage), a few Gibson Byrdlands, and a couple Gibson Les Paul guitars. Below is his American Flag Gibson Les Paul:

He really loves his guitar…and his country…and rock and roll…and guns…and hunting…and…just loves living!

I felt summoned to the front of the stage to declare from the TOP OF MY LUNGS: “I, Greg Hintermeister, Declare to LIVE LIFE filled to the RAFTERS with purpose, passion, drive, DISCIPLINE, and Laughter! I will wake up EVERY MORNING THRILLED TO BE ALIVE and squealing with delight thanking God for what I get to do this VERY day…IT’S A FREE-FOR-ALL!!!”

I know. I should be quoting bible verses…but The Nuge lit the fuse…

I should also say I’m reading his book “Ted, White, and Blue: The Nugent Manifesto”. I declare EVERYONE should read this book. I don’t care if you agree with anything he says. He’s got strong opinions with logical arguments to back them up. If you don’t agree, good. You’ll be given the gift to define YOUR arguments against his. It made me think hard, “Well, what do I think about that?!?” I consider that a must-read. I’m going to have my oldest read it, not to tell him what he should think, but to show him HOW to think and debate, and decide for himself what his PASSION is.

DISCIPLINE!!! He spoke of pure, honest, GET-OUT-OF-MY-WAY-I-DON’T-WANT-NO-HANDOUTS-I’M-COMING-THROUGH kind of discipline. I could tell from his playing (and TV, writings, and volunteer service). He practices hard. He plays hard. His band practices and perfects. They were one rockin’ band (did I say he’s been sober for 62 years?). I was blown away at his skills.

OK. Back to the concert: This is his “Hurdle the Weak and Trample the Dead” tour. He played at the Surf Ballroom, the location of Buddy Holly’s last concert. It was a really great place…hotter than a pistol, but maybe that made the night amongst 2000 other Ted Heads even more memorable.

We got there at 7:30, doors opened at 8, so when we walked in, we could walk RIGHT UP to the stage. 4 feet away at most. Here he is with his Byrdland. Georgous guitar.

Oh, and guess what? He busts his CAJONES to give us a great sweat-drenching ear-blowing show. But he also works hard to provide for himself, his family, but even more to provide for others. He could be sitting on his laurels while his Cat Scratch Fever residuals roll in, but in his ‘spare time’ he’s, dare I say it, doing God’s work.

When he’s not on tour face-melting (6 MAMMOTH 5150 Peavey head/cabinet guitar amps blasting away…we were almost beaten up when we started to put our ear-plugs in) he runs, among other things, ‘wounded warrior’ and ‘cancer-kid’ hunting/shooting events. I don’t care what you think about his opinions, the fact that he spent his own time and money giving a 6 year old one last wish to go hunting…the smile on the little kids face…is golden. Or the wounded warrior, former sniper, paralyzed with only a straw to communicate: Uncle Ted spent his own $$$ developing a way so the warrior could sight the gun and fire using just the straw in the mouth. His joyful smile gave me chills (in a 90 degree room) and a lot of respect for The Nuge.

OK. Again, back to the show: His opening act, Val Halla, a girl rocker…rocked out. The caption says it all…

“A thing of beauty…the curves, the neck, what a sparkling blonde piece of work.”

Of course I’m talking about the guitar. LOOK AT IT! She just rocked with that thing…some sort of custom Guild. We talked with her a bit and then mostly the bass player. He seemed really cool. A funky and solid 6-string bass, wicked drummer, and a great lead.

Back to Dr. Ted. The Nuge closed with a great encore, leaving everything on the stage. One odd event, though: The Surf Ballroom security yellow-shirts wouldn’t allow ANY photos…including from phones…of course that means I only took 60 photos instead of 100 :-) Really funny thing was the ‘man in yellow’ was in the middle of a ‘no picture stare’ while The Nuge was yelling “DEFIANCE!!!”.

I think Defiance won the night. And, yes, that’s a full native-American headdress as he sings “Great White Buffalo” with a drop-dead gorgeous custom white Gibson Byrdland.

There ya go…an inspiring night with St. Nugent. Ya he swore. I actually learned that some of the fiercest swear words are compliments :-) But for me, I could learn a thing or two about taking a big bite out of life and not only aspire to live with a purpose, but actually DO IT. LIVE for something. BELIEVE, be passionate about making a difference.

Now I’m LIVING. I’m PLAYING. I’m LOVING, I’m WORKING with Fire in my belly to do what I LOVE!

I can say it now: WWTD?

LIVE WITH A PASSION THAT CANNOT BE SQUELCHED. SET FIRES! BUST EARDRUMS! LIVE AND LOVE AND WHISPER AND YELL AT THIS AMAZING GIFT YOU GET TO WAKE UP FOR EVERY DAY CALLED YOUR LIFE!!! 

Amen.

 

Read other robot concert thoughts

Gotta Climb That Fence

It all started here:

This is the fence that, at 2 years old, I decided to climb (right photo behind the bushes in our home in San Mateo). I stood next to my older brother in the back yard staring at that immensely tall barrier between me and adventure. I just HAD to see what was on the other side. I’m still not sure if my brother cheered me on, helped me over, or just stood with our dog Chestnut and waved good-bye. All I know is that my mom found me 2 blocks away near a church enjoying a conversation with a policeman.

I know I gave my mom grief and great worry, and I’m sure she would have rather I just stay safe in the yard. But we found out that’s not how I’m made. I needed the adventure.

I Just had to climb that fence.

In Junior High, I was stuck. Stuck in my small little world, bumping into the fence of bad language and poor choices. Then I joined Battalion, a kind of Christian boy scouts. I saw the kind of adventure I could have if I climbed that fence. I eventually applied to be a counselor for the whole summer at an all-boys camp, Camp Nathanael. I had never done anything like that before. It was risky, dangerous, and there were lots of unknowns. But I had to climb that fence. I just had see what was on the other side.

I know I gave my mom grief and great worry, and it did result in an episode of serious burns. But it was filled with amazing memories and friendships I’ll never forget. It shaped my beliefs, introduced me to the passion of piano, and the love of the raw outdoors. It laid the foundation for much of what I am today.

I’m so glad I climbed that fence.

In my third year of college, I was burnt out. I could see my safety fence surrounding the path that lay before me… graduation > job > wedding > kids > retirement > hospice. Then Up With People called. They offered adventure. A glimpse at the other side of the safety fence…to travel the world playing guitar, visiting famous places, living with host families, and make life-long friends.

I know I gave my family and girlfriend (now wife) grief and great worry. It would mean a year apart from them, and quitting my great truck-loading job at Dayton’s. But I just had see what was on the other side.

I just had to climb that fence.

There have been other long ‘safe-spells’ in my life. I look back now and they are also the ‘dull-spells’, ‘sad-spells’, ‘temper-spells’, ‘lonely-spells’ in my life. I need to climb those fences. I need to live the adventure on the other side. Whether it’s the adventure of travel, writing a song, performing, or whether it’s the shared adventure of raising 4 kids with my stunning wife, I need to be challenged, need to be intentional, need some unknowns, risk, and thrills to look forward to. (Maybe that’s why our family travels together so much. Maybe I’m teaching the kids how to climb their own fences.)

I need fences in front of me that force a decision: Stay in your current safe place, or take a risk and climb that fence. You may fail, but if you succeed, there’s a whole new place to explore, and you’ll be a better person for it.

I just gotta climb these fences. It  feeds me. It defines who I am. It makes me thrilled to be alive.

I just have to see what’s on the other side.

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Epilogue:
I’m currently traveling the world this summer for IBM. 56 days of travel from June through October. US, Australia, Europe, Africa, Singapore. I gotta climb this fence, too. This adventure beaks the safety of my current job and mixes travel, performance, risk, challenges, and reward all into one.

I know I’m causing my family and wife grief and great worry, and I know they would rather have me safe in the yard. I feel the grief, too. All I can say is that I love them, yearn for them, and wish they were along for the adventure.

But they also know that climbing fences is a part of who I am, which is why I love them so much.

I love you, family. Wife, we’ve climbed many fences together and I love the life-long adventure we’re on. I look forward to the next fence we can climb together.

I can’t wait to see what’s on the other side.