For Orchestra!

“The microphone explodes, shattering the molds”

When met with a challenge, I usually accept it head on. Bulls on Parade was no different, and I’m thrilled with the result:

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[Songs Archive]

This piece was released in 1996 by Rage Against the Machine (RATM), a Los Angeles band, and part of their 2nd studio album “Evil Empire”

RATM even beat out America Idol for the UK’s Christmas Song. This shows two things – the power of the internet community, and the lasting effects of RATM.

This piece was very difficult to arrange for orchestra – perhaps the most difficult one I’ve done. The reason for this is because of Zack De La Rocha’s rapping. When a vocalist raps, then it’s difficult to determine the exact pitch and translate it to orchestra. Another problem I was up against was the power chords that were used throughout the piece. Generally, power chords don’t always translate easily for orchestra, but I tended to do well with this, while still adding some harmonies.

‘Bulls on Parade’ is one of my favorite songs ever, by a band that heavily influenced my music. This piece is aggressive, and I wanted to capture that emotion, so I added the snare drum to give it the ‘military’ feel. The lyrics are powerful, so I made sure to have the instruments scream the words, while still maintaining the beauty and structure of the orchestra. In addition, I added lots of brass – trumpets, horns, and gave the famous Tom Morello guitar solo to the xylophone.

“He’s the only one they call Feelgood”

I’ve been getting requests to do more rock. Everything from Pantera, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine, and even Muse. Well, let’s take it back decade or two – enter ‘Dr. Feelgood’. One of the defining songs in the Motley Crue catalog that dropped in September 1989. It has attitude, awesome lyrics, and a killer drum groove and guitar line. So what did I do? Transfer that attitude to the orchestra.

This arrangement comes out a day before Motley Crue’s Greatest Hits CD. It’ll be available here, include all the favorite tracks from their catalog, plus a remix of “The Animal In Me”. I love ‘Dr. Feelgood’. I love the drums, vocals, lyrics, recording, album art, and even the bass line. When all these things come together it makes the orchestration effortless. Granted, the hours are still insane, but the creativity flows. I learned this years ago – its like everything in life, that when you’re ‘into’ it, then the effect is exponentially a better result. Practices are more enjoyable, performing and recording is effortless, and even the days flow by better. That’s why you have to not only love your community, and job, but everything surrounding them. It’s about the big picture – a song, much like life, is only as complete as its weakest link.

Dr. Feelgood is about addiction. Its a look at people who fight those inner demons, and their situation and desire for them. I wanted to pick up the tempo a little for this arrangement. As a result, the flutes and violins play the same lines, but are forced to play fast, punctuating parts to compensate for the tempo. Driving it home are the drums, which lay down the work for the horn and trumpet section to fill in the verses.

As I started doing in a few pieces ago – I continued to use the Xylaphone for the guitar solo. Since the instrument can’t hold out notes, then I had the performer play as tremolo to create the sustain you hear after the 2nd chorus. Also, I always try to change the 2nd or 3rd choruses, because I want each section to sound fresh to the listener.

OK – this one is short… but its a Theme Song! Well… sort of. SxePhil is one of the most popular channels on Youtube. I thought it’d be fun to do something a little ‘outside’ of the lines, and in traditional fashion of mine – unpredictable. I’ve done Lady Gaga, Rick Astley, Michael Jackson, and even more. But what about theme songs, or Rage Against the Machine, or Kanye West? What about the Philadelphia Eagles chant, or the Keyboard Cat theme? I’ll get to them… give me time

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[Songs Archive]

First I’d like to say that this song meant a lot to me because SxePhil is a cool guy who openly discusses his health issues. Why is this important to me? Well, its important that people remember that every one has their own problems – including me. Hopefully, I have this correct – but Philip Defranco (AKA SxePhil) was diagnosed with PKD, and actually started Youtube’ing due to his grandfather also being diagnosed with it and raise awareness for it. There’s something cool about doing things to help others, and seeing that they were successful at raising awareness. So to you readers – keep your chin up, and carry on.

I like interesting things. I like the orchestra. I like doing interesting songs and ideas WITH the orchestra. So this week was a good introduction to doing something new. The funny thing about arranging a song For Orchestra is that an 11 second song takes JUST as long as a 4 minute song. This is because the orchestration, production, and transcribing is where 90% of the work is from, which you have to do in every song anyway. In addition a 4 minute song usually has Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus. So the result is that once you transcribe the first Verse / Chorus, then you’re already 90% complete – just simply repeat!

In the video you can watch the difference between the original and the new orchestrated version. So check it out! I took the guitar part and gave it to the violin, and the doubled it with the flutes!

Doing new things is always what has inspired me. I constantly try new foods, travel, experiment, meet people, and write interesting music. Its’ what gets me up in the morning. SxePhil was a fun one to do as opposed to say.. the Pokemon Theme Song because I liked the context of this piece and the short duration of it. Not that the Pokemon Theme song would be a bad suggestion…