New Music.... uhhh what's that?

It's funny how life takes a hold of us and steers us in directions that we didn't plan, or even necessarily think were options. I've been in a constant state of internal struggle with music for some time now. Back to my serious playing days, to my serious recording/producing days, and even my not so serious playing days. Music has always been a part of me in some way. It's in my soul, my skin, my dna. Even after selling most of my gear a while back so I could move to Mexico and be with my new born son, I have still had the music bug in my, I couldn't shake it. I suppose this web site, and this blog are an extension of this. The constant struggle between life, and music. One might argue that music is life, and I would have a hard time debating that point. However at what cost?

I have seen friendships, relationships, partnerships destroyed because of music. Is music, and one persons passion worth more than friendship? There is a rule in the entertainment industry that basically states, "there's no friends in rock & roll" or "in order to make an omelet you have to break some eggs". You get the idea. Essentially if you are going to "make it" you're going to have to piss off a few people along the way. I don't know, is that really true? I personally don't know a lot of people that have "made it". I used to know some people who then went on to have some success, perhaps I would even say they "made it". But I wouldn't say that I am really friends with these people anymore. Not that their was a falling out, or hurt feelings or anything, but just choices that people make. Priorities. Music is time consuming, money consuming, and above all else life consuming.

You always hear about bands touring for many months, or even years. Being away from friends and family and maybe even their children. And on top of that being with the same group of people for that entire tour. How do they cope? Drugs, sex, anger, sadness, a combination of all of these maybe. I'm not so much talking about the boys of Metallica, or The Rolling Stones. I mean they can just bring family with them, or fly home after every show. I'm talking more about the working band. The ones trying to make living, and barely doing so. Tour to pay the rent, support the family, that sort of band. Let's face it, not many bands are making money on record sales anymore. Touring is one of the only ways to make a buck for yourself and the record company anymore, aside from maybe video games, commercials and that sort of thing. The working band has always and always will tour.

What happens when the music's over? I guess you hope that you still have your friends and family. In a lot of cases I'm sure that people do. In other cases, who knows. Maybe that's why so many musicians keep going, reinventing themselves whether it be in writing, performing, producing, tv, etc. Hard to let go, and who wants to get a real job? I'm grateful for my time in music. I rarely made much money, but I have lots to show for myself. Lots of things I am proud of, things I look forward to showing my son when he's older and my daughter now. I always find a way to reinvent myself, and now is no exception. I have things on the go, and you haven't heard the last from me. I will finish this web site, I will have new music, both my own and others. Stay tuned, this is just the beginning.

Music, Webs, Addictions...

Anyone that knows me knows that I am a do-it-yourself type of guy. For years I have always taken on large projects, sometimes bigger than I can handle on my own. Often this leads to me getting frustrated and too bogged down to finish or it just takes forever to get it done. I released a solo album in 2006. I worked on that album off and on for nearly 8 years. And ever since finishing it all I have wanted to do is start over and do it better this time.

I'm also the type of person that likes to figure things out, I hate being stumped. My current project is redesigning www.wornrecords.ca, including this blog, The Steamroller. I recently changed careers from seller of electrical supplies to search engine optimization guy. Now I know you're saying, "What? Music isn't paying the bills?" I know it's hard to believe, but me, like most musicians have a bad, bad addiction. No, not heroine. Not cocaine, booze, meth, or pills. We are addicted to our art. It's who we are, and not something we can change even if we wanted to. Many try to rid themselves of the music demon, but ultimately they end up back in the same place, or the same but different, simply reinventing their art or the situation in which they create. The lucky ones who do kick the habit end up simply replacing one addiction with another making themselves believe that they're addicted to the lesser of two evils.

What's my point? This web site. I am not a web designer by trade, but I have picked up many skills in my current occupation, as it does relate. I have wanted to redesign www.wornrecords.ca for quite some time now, but it's always been a few notches down on the priority chart. I now find myself in a state where this redesign is at the top of my project list and it's been a pretty eye opening experience. I find that I am just as addicted to finishing this project as I have been to other past music projects. I suppose I currently fall into the replacing one addiction with another category. I would say that the new site is going to be very cool. It started as a plan in my mind, and I have slowly been creating it. Much like the way I write music, I end up with too much going on in my head at any given time and it usually takes me stepping away from the project to get some clarity.

In any case, it's going to get done and it's going to kick ass. I hope to be showing it off pretty soon!

Testing 1,2,3,.....

This is a test, this is only a test. Please be advised that The Steamroller will be back up and running very soon. I am currently working on a new design for Worn Records and "Steamroller Music" as it will now be called. I will once again be looking for writers, readers, and bands to involve themselves with this indie music blog. I will not be bringing back the "indie band showdown", at least not right away. I will however be looking for bands of quality only to participate in some new features I will be rolling out on this web site. I will post more details in the near future. Thanks to those of you who have been involved with The Steamroller in the past, and I look forward to making Steamroller Music an excellent resource for bands and music lovers alike!

John Simmonds - Worn Records

good times, bad times...ya know i've had my share

Yes! All the rumors are in fact true. To my millions and million of fans in the indie music world, I would like to announce that I am stepping down as "Lord Steamroller". Please try to hold back the tears. I know it's hard to comprehend, even more so than the Oilers trading Ryan Smyth, but we must accept and move on. Fortunately for the music world, I will still be working with The Steamroller, but in a lesser role. I will be contributing music articles, and reviewing bands along side my fellow Steamroller reviewers.

I leave you in very capable hands. Effective immediately, Courtney Heard will be taking over day to day operations of the soon to be greatest indie music blog on the web. This change will allow us to expand, grow, and improve our site to better serve our readers as well as our featured artists. Thanks to all the bands and writers who have participated since we launched last year, and I look forward to a new and improved Steamroller.

Thanks
John Simmonds
"Lord Steamroller"