Re: (Return of) The Well CXXI: Chris of Arabia - fire 'em in...
Great answers Chris
I'll try and diversify a bit...
Regarding life in the Middle East:
What are the things that shocked you the most, as a foreigner, when first visiting? Any things that still surprise you to this day?
I'm talking culture, environment, food, anything really.
Bear in mind that my first visit to the Middle East was in November 1991 (just after Gulf War 1), I may have forgotten more than most will ever have known about the place.
The heat was the first thing that comes to mind, even in November. I'm used to it now, and even summers don't phase me much. Believe it or not, your blood thins out over time to adapt acclimatise. The only other thing that springs to mind really, is that you suddenly become very aware that you are not in a Western society. Before coming here for the first time, I'd only visited places like Iceland, Canada, and Spain, so although the language was different, culturally things weren't too different. Here, it feels as if everything is different; attitudes, cultural norms, food, life style. On the other side of the coin though, you soon learn that many of the concerns we have; family, making a living, being treated fairly, are just the same, it just takes a while to get to know people and find out what makes them tick.
Regarding guitars and being a player:
What do you think are the worst trends or "beliefs" that we, guitarists, fall into? If you fell into said belief, how did you come out?
Dare I say "tonewood"? Perhaps not...
I think perhaps the belief that we have a more important role in a band setting than we do. If we're being honest, the audience listens to (and looks at) the singer, and dances to the drummer/bassist. I'm probably as guilty as are any musician, in that you start listening to individual instruments, and stop listening to the music at times. It's a bad habit, and kind of misses the point rather. If I can, I like to have music wash over and through me, and takes my emotions with it. Something like Rush's "Between the Wheels" would be a good example, especially when you see it done live.
Regarding bands:
Name three bands that should pack things up and call it a day, and explain why.
I actually don't think any musician should call it a day, so long as they still enjoy it. The only argument for going the other way, is if you a) just can't do it any more, or b) they're racking up debts they can never repay.
Sure there are planty of acts that I don't like who I wish had never started (
Ocean Colour Scene), but I can always turn the radio or TV off, can't I?
EDIT: Oh and BTW, happy new year my friend!!
And to you too, 2015 has to be better doesn't it?
