Where Have all the Good Times Gone??

Ive been thinking to my self lately what on earth has happened to music over the last decade or so, and this is what I have come up with. Over the past 1o years or so the industry and artists have gotten away from what really makes music so amazing; the community aspect of music. Look were all musicians playing music is what we do, we live in a time where people who cant even play a fucking guitar wear it around there neck like bling because they think it looks cool (Lil Wayne Im talking to you, you talentless hack). The public at large may think that its cool when you take a break from your horribly autotuned vocal calisthenics to play wandering blabbering one fingered lines on your guitar, while simultaniously weaving in and out of every key. However, the real musicians are not fooled in fact we cringe to think people like that make money. I digress... What I am really talking about is the fact that the music industry is breading hit makers, corperately modified puppets driven by an electronic backing track put together by the years "it" producer. This past years "it" by the way was Timberland, who knows who this years "it" producer will be my money is on Paulie "The Weezle" Shore. We even have guys like country star Brad Paisley who to 90% of his fan base is just a guy that sings great songs. However, does anyone know that Brad Paisley can play the shit out of his guitar? I mean really play, not like those kids on youtube who are like "My names Alex I like Dream Theater Im awesome," but play with virtoustic ability. This brings me to what really triggered this blog, the fact that music used to be a community. People used to hangout after shows and jam together until morning. Also, there used to be a sort of apprenticeship that went along with music where young talented musicians would join an already established musicians band to grow and develop. Artists who have done such things include Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Neal Schon, and Brad Paisley to name a few. And those artists seem to have done ok for themselves. Its to the point now days where bands who are on tour with each other wont jam with each other let alone talk or hangout with each other. Where getting away from what makes musicians musicians, music. I don't care what anyone says music is the only universal language that there is. And the fact that music has become about the latest slut to hang her over used vajayjay out the door of her car instead of letting the music be the deciding factor is so sad. Until music gets back to its roots in the blues and back into the community mind set we will continue to be inundated with mindless formulated bullshit that we are told that we should like because someone said so. So if your still with me through all of that I think you can join me in saying where have all the good times gone?

Lights... Camera... Shots???

So for those of you who know the band or even just heard of us through the grape vine here is a cool opportunity to get to know the band and our music. Friday December 12th the guys and I are going to be shooting a music video for our song 10 Shots 10 Minutes at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek, Az. We invite anyone who wants to come have a couple of beers and some great food and be in the video. We are going to be shooting from 10 am to 2 pm and may return later that night to play a couple of songs for the bull riders (yes there is actually bull riding out back of the bar). I would like to thank the owner Larry ( even though no one even reads this) from the bottom of my heart for being so damn cool about letting us shoot at The Chip, and I hope that one day we can return the favor in some way. Who knows where this video is going to end up (likely youtube will be the extent) but its nice to fantasize. And last but definatly not least Dana needs to be thanked repeatedly. Not only is he directing shooting and sitting in on the editing of this video hes driving all the way from LA on one of his very few off days to do this video for us. So if anyone thats reading this blog actually shows up to the Chip and you see a guy working his ass off with a camera in his hand shake his hand (preferably not while filming) and buy him a beer, you wont regret it he is one of the coolest guys youll ever meet.

Pictures from the Studio

This is where the magic happens ( according to everyone on Cribs)

Welcome !

Hi there anyone who cares enough to find their way to this blog just thought that I would just welcome you and tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Kolton Lee and I am 20 years old and I play guitar in the band Suite 88. My passion is playing guitar and just music in general. I also am studying to be an audio engineer and love everything about recording music. In fact my band and I just recently finished recording our very first cd all done in the comforts of our living room. In my next posting Ill post some pictures and insights about the recording process. Well until your bored enough to come back and read again, goodbye....