realityharmonics:
...and, to avoid trying to top dwarves with flamethrowers, hired me to write the video for the new single. We decided to play with the mannequin theme from the album cover...
realityharmonics:
...and pay homage to one of our recent film faves, "The Year of Living Dangerously."
realityharmonics:
Oh, and by now the band had put out a second album.
realityharmonics:
Larry was going through some changes of his own. After briefly turning Japanese, he moved to Oakland and got wired into the Bay Area vibe at the time.
realityharmonics:
More fun with Ed. The only problem is if you win.
realityharmonics:
A great antidote for junk mail - the Norman Clayture.
realityharmonics:
I still needed something to do between surreal episodes and medication cycles. On a whim, I sent a query to Modern Recording magazine, proposing to write a series of "how to" articles on demo recording. To my horror, they accepted.
realityharmonics:
The first article was typewritten, but personal computers were just becoming available. I used my first earnings to buy one. It had an astounding 64KB of RAM and did basic word processing. Let's see... "CP/M Manual, Chapter 12: Opening a File."
realityharmonics:
There are perks. Deb and I fly back to join the band on the Elton John tour. The New York shows are a highlight.
realityharmonics:
Marv and Rindy stand in the wings with Yoko Ono and Sean while Elton sings his tribute to John, Empty Garden. Afterward, Yoko goes onstage and tells the crowd, "You are all my family now." You can imagine the response.
realityharmonics:
Now for a side note only old farts will understand. Earlier, when I'd told my grandmother the band would be playing Madison Square Garden, she was confused. "What, you mean the kids play between the fights?" (Cue theme to Gillette Cavalcade of Sports."
realityharmonics:
That was cool, bit the real cultural high point came the day before. This is Rin heading off to do a cameo appearance on Days of Our Lives. Much to her disappointment, she doesn't get to say, "But what about... [organ chord] ...the baby?"
realityharmonics:
There are advantages to growing up in a Diane Arbus photo, after all. You kind of learn to roll with things.
realityharmonics:
I still have my garden, and the tunnel in the basement is coming along nicely.
realityharmonics:
And try again to reach Timmy.
realityharmonics:
...catch up on my sister's circus career...
realityharmonics:
I get a chance to spend some time with the folks...
realityharmonics:
Besides, I'm hardly the first.
realityharmonics:
Oh, I guess I didn't mention that. I've developed a keen interest in recreational tunneling. It's a screwy, dangerous hobby, but there's really no choice in the matter.
realityharmonics:
The album sells over a million copies and goes platinum. The award is presented while the band is on tour with Elton John.
realityharmonics:
Still, I seem to have the finely honed career instincts of a suicide bomber. I need to find something else to do. I go a little crazy in the meantime, but that's nothing new.
realityharmonics:
The new band. The record is released, and they go out on tour.
realityharmonics:
Harden My Heart climbs the charts all summer, with Find Another Fool close behind.
realityharmonics:
Success means I've essentially worked my way out of a job. I wouldn't have it any other way; I've followed my bliss, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
realityharmonics:
So you've worked your whole life to get a recording contract. Against all odds, you've succeeded. You've worked your butt off to make the best record you can. Needless to say, you show up on the video set a little apprehensive.
realityharmonics:
... "That's a wrap on the dwarf. Prep the flamethrower."
realityharmonics:
This will be the first look anyone gets at the new band. The all-important first impression. And then you hear...
realityharmonics:
MTV has just been invented. It plays music videos 24/7. You must have a video. But there's a rub: bands have almost no control over the content of their own videos. The label hooks you up with some wannabe director, and you get whatever they give you.
realityharmonics:
No really. I'm not making this up.
realityharmonics:
The band reforms with a new name. We do demos with the new guys, get the label's ok, and finish recording with them. The album cover art is completed. It's intentionally kind of mysterious, since no one knows what the band will ultimately look like.
