Kick Some Ass (collab w/ Skean)

Dharma Logos

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Description

This is my contribution to Skean's LIOLI #3 submission, the original version of which you can hear HERE. He did all of the music (Skean is the loop master), and I wrote lyrics and added vocals.

Basically this is just a song about strength, individuality, and rock and roll.

I ran into a lot of problems with the production of this. I was going to add my own guitar tracks, but that didn't work out. This was also my first time recording with a condenser mic; that was interesting.

Skean's original mix had a serious problem that I was not able to fix: It is so dense that if you listen to it more than once I can almost guarantee that you will get a headache. I've been listening to this song on headphones all day, and I don't physically have the stamina to keep working on it. I finally decided that enough is enough. Maybe I'll eventually come back to this and do my own guitars and bass, but that will have to wait a while. I hope you enjoy this.

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Lyrics

"KICK SOME ASS"
Music by Kenta (Skean)
Lyrics by Aaron Wooldridge

The battlewagon is rolling on down the road
Storming the gates with thundrous rock 'n' roll
They don't know what's deep inside my soul
I'm gonna live my life before they put me in a hole

[Chorus]
Roll on Roll on Roll on
We'll push ya hard and fast
Rock on Rock on Rock on
We're gonna kick some ass

I'm not an angel or a demon
Neither normal nor insane
I may be a little strange to you
But I walk my own walk and drive my own train

[Chorus]
Roll on Roll on Roll on
We'll push ya hard and fast
Rock on Rock on Rock on
We're gonna kick some ass

If you have courage to dance to your own drum
Let us be one for all and all for one
Crank up the music and we can have some fun
We're gonna rock until our days on this earth are done

Song Stats

Hits: 1696
Comments: 34
Fans: 9
Plays: 342
Downloads: 102
Votes: 9
Uploaded: Jun 09, 2007 - 08:03:59 PM
Last Updated: Jun 09, 2007 - 08:03:59 PM Last Played: Nov 19, 2009 - 12:44:20 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Keywords:

Skean (67), Dharma Logos (1), rock (1437), colab (4), collab (76), collaboration (115), rock (1437), LIOLI (53), hard rock (67), metal (197), guitar (1074), loop master (1), headache music (1)

Hardware:

Intel iMac, cheap MXL condenser mic, M-Audio FireWire Solo, Skean's computer.

Software:

GarageBand 3

Comments

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 899 days ago (June 9th, 2007)
	The link didn't work. Let's try again. Here is the link to Skean's original version: http://www.macjams.com/song/32535 Check out my latest song called Celeste

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 899 days ago (June 9th, 2007)
	Dammit! This is just not my day. Here is the link to Skean's original: http://www.macjams.com/song/30057 Check out my latest song called Celeste

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 899 days ago (June 9th, 2007)
	does kick some ass great rocking tonight. you did a real good job on the vocals. you really thew yourself into it. Skean always goes without saying on what he brings to the table. Check out my latest song called November

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 899 days ago (June 9th, 2007)
	Thanks man. I'm having a bad day. I'm too exhausted and frustrated to work on this song anymore. I feel like the end result is crap, but for my own sake I just had to get it done and posted. The smallest positive comment gives me a lot of encouragement, and I am grateful for it, Vic. Check out my latest song called Celeste

said 899 days ago (June 9th, 2007)

i am not familiar...
.... with skean's version, though i am a big fan of his.
that said, this is really great, aaron! it is obvious that you really poured yourself into this. kudos for throwing yourself so fully into the mix!
i know you are weary from this, and "just gave in" and posted this.
you, my friend are your own worst critic. i am sure you could "do better"... we all can in hindsight, but rest assured you put up a solid track with skean's music.
i dig this. VERY good job! now, stop kicking your self, and kick some ass! (just not your own!)

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 899 days ago (June 9th, 2007)
	Thanks Jason! I'm glad to know that I kicked your ass. My dad and brother on the other side of the country from me listened to and loved it; that gave me some encouragement. So I listened to it a few more times, and I'm liking it more and more. I'm espeically proud of the backing vocals - that's something I never did very much of before. Check out my latest song called Celeste

echoroom	echoroom said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Does exactly .. what it says on the label... storming the gates indeed. Great slabs of guitar and powerful vox, a bit like a young Ian Astbury (The Cult). Great work guys, and a seemless mix of minds. aaron- I can hear everything in the mix, maybe your ears were just a bit tired ... it sounds fine to me. Nice work bud. Rock on!! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Thanks man. I was just exhausted from trying to finish this song and gave up. Repeat listenings have proven that I inadvertenly found a good stopping point. Like the death metal backing vocals in the chorus? Check out my latest song called Celeste

echoroom	echoroom said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Death to metal It's killer Aaorn - best vocals you've done ... sounds like you're maturing into your voice. When in doubt, I always have some whiskey and cigarettes the nught before singing ... purely to get the tone right, you understand! Steve Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Well I definitely smoked a few cigs before this one. I'm not sure how much of the improvement of my sound is because of me and how much is because I upgraded from the pinhole mic to a real condenser. Probably both. Check out my latest song called Celeste

said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

nice tune, bro....
with every song you do, you will see an improvement as to how you mix, and then you will go and want to re-record everything you had done prior. always, if possible mix through headphones as well as external monitors. i like to go back and forth, cause my headphones sometimes say one thing and my monitors say another...yeah, shit talks to me... i am crazy...this is a straight ahead rocker. there are not many of these going around anymore. good solos, good rhythm section.
if i may, tho, and if i am full of it, just tell me;
try to brighten up the drums. try using doubled or even tripled tracks of drums, squash one, and eq them all differently, to bring out individual sounds in each, and use you pans to fatten the space around the drums.
as far as your vocals go, as a singer who only plays other instruments in order to sing, your chorus and backing tracks were very nice. there were a couple of spots in the mian vox that were a little pitchy.. try doing 2 or 3 alternate takes in different keys and phrasings, then go between them while listening to how they interact with the music..this can give you a good idea as to your timing, general feel, and pitch. sometimes i will throw down 5 or 6 tracks in order to get the sound i want. i also cut and past doubles or sometimes triples of the main lead and pan it around to get a wider vocal sound. this was an enjoyable song!
keep rockin, my brothers!!!

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

Whoa man!
Are you trying to scare me away from producing completely? I've learned something: I like playing my songs and producing other people's songs, but producing my own songs is too much of a chore. I wish there was someone competent who I could trust with my musical vision who would have all the equipment set up when I get to the studio and says "play the rhythm guitar to the second verse now" and then tells me whether or not I need to redo it. I just want to arrange and perform my songs, and having to work about mic placement, the best takes, and mixing really kills the creative moment for me. But I do like producing other people's songs because that allows me to flex different creative musicles.

"Kick Some Ass" was pretty much unproduced. I re-recorded the vocals several times over the course of a month with different microphones and different takes. Finally i just decided to get it done. I did some instrument panning and adjusting of individual levels, but I didn't touch EQ or the master track. To be honest I really have no freaking idea how to use the master track.

The song that I've been working on for like two months "New Life Grows" is nowhere near completion because I am a production perfectionist on that song, although I don't really know what I'm doing. Every time I buy a new microphone I have to go back and re-record the whole thing. Anyway, you've got some good ideas about doubling/eqing drums and stuff. I'll have to try out some of your ideas, but I find that generally I prefer to do an entire verse of guitar or vocal, for example, in one shot rather than piecing together different measures. I need more experience with making it sound smoother when edited together.

---
"Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy

Check out my latest song called Celeste

	said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Ha ha... ...well you certainly kicked MINE in this one. Yes, Kenta is indeed the loop-meister (one of the best!). Aaron your lyrics and intense vocal delivery are a great contribution to this piece. You have captured the fiery spirit of Kenta's tune! Kudos! Be well!

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

Another ass successfully kicked!
I tried to follow Kenta's vision for the song using some of his imagery in his original description of the song. I wrote the lyrics really quickly, but I find they are meaningful to me on at least three different levels. Thanks for commenting.

I still don't know what Kenta thinks of what I did to his song.

---
"Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy

Check out my latest song called Celeste

	said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	If I know Kenta... ...I think he'll be pleased! --- "We are put upon this earth a little space that we might learn to bear the beams of love." (William Blake)

craft	craft said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	great heavy voice nice collab you 2... energic and ass kicking for shure... this one thus rock Check out my latest song called Blue Lights (feat. Spleenveil)

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

Thanks Craft!
Glad you like it. It's not hard to rock when you're working with Skean's 2 different drum tracks and 7 guitar tracks. He put this thing together like blocks in a Mayan wall.

---
"Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy

Check out my latest song called Celeste

DWL	DWL said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	Wall of sound? yes please! So well done, great guitars and very well put together. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called A Good Night's Sleep with Macferret, Sir Dennis Crowther and Pete Young

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

Credit
Credit goes to Skean for that. He did all the music a couple of months ago. All loops - he's incredible at that. 7 guitar tracks and 2 drum tracks. The song really is built like a tank. It was a fun track to add my thing to. Thanks for listening.

---
"Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy

Check out my latest song called Celeste

Magritte

Magritte said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

Well I guess I'm not the scathing type...
But it's my pleasure to listen to your piece and comment on it. Awesome sound bed and the vocals remind me of The Offspring somewhat -- not particularly polished but effective. I do think the vocals and the instrumentals don't quite gel together; maybe I'm missing some production on the vocals? I don't know enough about mixing to be more specific.

Check out my latest song called Tango Macabre

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)

Finally someone who agrees with me!
You're right about the vocal not quite sounding right in the mix with the music. The music is all loops. The vocals were recorded with a condenser mic. This whole thing is pretty much not produced or mixed at all. I'm not very good at mixing anyway, and in this case I got frustrated and gave up before I was satisfied with it. Thanks for commenting.

---
"Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy

Check out my latest song called Celeste

	said 898 days ago (June 10th, 2007)
	THIS F*G ROCKS! AWESOME!! ROLL IT UP! KICK ASS!

	said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Hi! Bro. I think you have done a great job with my tune.... It can't be easy to sing on it BUT you did it.... Ok! I can agree with some here it maybe can be little better... But for me it's okay! like this.... and you get some practice...practice makes perfect. This was fun and I hope we can do some more in the futures. Best Regards ___ Kenta

	said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Rock on Rock on Rock on We're gonna kick some ass... nough said. (smile) best savored loud I enjoyed this collab alot

bonnieprincejohnny	bonnieprincejohnny said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Hullo I like your vocal stylings. Aw the best, --- johnny crawford Check out my latest song called twenty seven

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Thanks! Thanks for everyone's support, and thanks to Skean for providing such a great track to play with. I never considered myself a singer - I was always a guitarist who sang out of pure necessecity. But now I'm really starting to enjoy singing. Check out my latest song called Celeste

MissChaos

MissChaos said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)

2 penny thoughts...
I'm probably the least qualified to critique in this genre, so take it or leave it. I think the mix is just fine: everything separates nicely. The energy is definitely here. The vocal tuning didn't bother me at all -- quite fitting and nice.

Two things jumped out at me:
1. The drums, while EQ'd nicely, are rather static. This high-energy song needs some kick ass drumming solos and change-ups. Transitions between sections.

2. The vocals sound as though they're recorded separately and in a different setting. Stage vs. Studio type thing. Perhaps a tad echo or reverb could make them sound like they're recorded "with the band playing". And only in certain parts did they really feel this way. I tend to effect only certain measures or sections of vocals to give them styling. I.e.: Add reverb to the harmony vox only during the chorus. Also, I'd love to hear the two vox track separated a bit more.

Just opinions, and I hope I haven't rehashed stuff already said. I love the energy in this. Rock on.

Check out my latest song called Mama Cries - Album Version (MJRF)

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)

Hey Catwoman!
Thanks for commenting. I agree with you about the vocals not sounding quite even with the music. I mean the music is all loops and the vocals were recorded with a condenser mic. It probably could be leveled out more with the master track, but I've never really used that before.

I am a bit surprised that you think the drums are static. Perhaps the production of the drums could use some work, but I find Skean's drum parts themselves to be extremely intense. He's got them layered so it's like two drummers playing fairly simple parts, but it sounds totally insane when they're played together.

---
"Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy

Check out my latest song called Celeste

Peter Bauckham	Peter Bauckham said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Wow this really does kick some ass - Great guitars and drums - Excellent vocals. Excellent stuff. Peter Check out my latest song called All The Same (CBGB) (Last Chance Challenge)

Dharma Logos	Dharma Logos said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	Thanks for listening. I would have thought this would be outside of your normal listening interests. I'm glad you liked it. --- "Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy Check out my latest song called Celeste

rtcooper	rtcooper said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)
	YARDBIRDS YOU RAW Kinetic Energy Rock n Roll to me. I like the separation of the Vocals, stage forward, no FX to speak of, in front of the Backing Instruments. Yardbirds. Blues Breakers. Cool. very best, Coop Check out my latest song called Intimate Anyway

Dharma Logos

Dharma Logos said 897 days ago (June 11th, 2007)

It's just three vocal tracks straight through.
All three vocals are on "Live Performance" setting. Lead vocal in the center, harmony vocal off to the left, death vocal off to the right. That's it. Thanks for the comment.

---
"Everything in the universe is made of one element which is a note, a single note. Atoms are really vibrations which are extentions of the Big Note. Everything is one note, everything." --Frank Zappa, Lumpy Gravy

Check out my latest song called Celeste

DeputyDoofy	DeputyDoofy said 896 days ago (June 12th, 2007)
	**POW CRASH** THWACK Doofy just got his ass kicked. Dag, yo! :P Check out my latest song called Sweet Smell Of Success

Thomaz	Thomaz said 832 days ago (August 15th, 2007)
	Right on! Love it, Dharma! Listened to some work of yours a while ago but haven't heard your voice sound this good before. It sure has that 70s or 80s metal feeling too it. Personally I think it works quite well with the heavy guitar sound which is great as well. Check out my latest song called Spancil hill

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Artist Info

Name: Aaron Wooldridge

Dharma Logos is the heavy metal / hard rock music project of Aaron Wooldridge, a 25 year old California native currently residing in Virginia. I don't have a band yet, but I've been writng songs for years and now have the ability to record them with... [see more]

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