The Note Boat

Happy Birthday Indeed

2010-11-23T12:32:00.000-08:00

To all who participated in the video compilation,

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I got plenty of attention over my birthday weekend, so I'm not trying to keep hogging the bday spotlight, but I wanted to step out one more time in order to thank you all for your wonderful contributions to the video that Erika made!

I may not say this enough, but my friends are probably the most important thing in my life. To me, life is pointless without you. The most memorable and fun experiences I have occur while I'm laughing uncontrollably with any one of you, or working on something creative together that we just know is going to be great, or sharing the stage somewhere we only imagined we'd be.

As I watched the video, this is all I could think about: You are all incredibly talented, smart, kind, beautiful, and awesome people, and you each enrich my life in your own special way. I hope that I can provide even a small percentage back to you, what you give to me.
I had to pat myself on the back for surrounding myself with so many amazing humans (and animals too!). I am filthy rich with great friends! Nothing will make me forget that, and I thank you all for being who you are! Each of you make the world a better place just by being in it!

I'm excited to enter my 30's knowing what I've learned about life from the experiences I've shared with you all!

To my lovely girlfriend, Erika.
I can't thank you enough for everything, I love you more than anything, and my whole life revolves around making sure that you're happy. I'm so sorry I can't be there for your birthday, I hope it's a good one in spite of my absence, and additionally, it crushes me that I can't help you decorate our little tree and listen to christmas music in our home while you make amazing deserts for us, or spend Thanksgiving keeping you company while you make the most delicious non-bird-related dinner ever. I love you and miss you, and the dog. Please take Lula to chase the cats out back for me, it's the key to her little heart.

I will be home soon and I expect to see plenty of all of you next year!

Hittin' the road

2010-11-09T15:54:00.000-08:00

I'm playing bass in a super rad heavy metal band. There's a tour on the books for November 15th-December 21st covering the sates and Canada. It's incredibly fun and satisfying, and damn what a workout. I ordered a sweet-ass hand exerciser from D'addario to make sure my fingers don't fry in two gigs!
Stoked on the workout, stoked on the players, stoked on the hang.
The band is called Holy Grail. Click on the album cover for tour dates!!

D'addario Dynaflex.

Man overboard

2010-10-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

Ahhh the Note Boat. Nary hath a vessel gone so neglected for so many a fortnight. Nevertheless she's a fine ship.

Ok, enough of that crap.

My solo record is on hold for a minute while I keep some other projects moving forward. I'm speaking with some friends of mine about hitting the road with them mid-November up to the holidays, so I need to get a bunch of work done before I leave. And ps.. road gig is on THE BASS!.. I know crazy.
Anyway,
I'm writing a whole record for my good friend Bethany, who goes by Lilly B when she records. And when I say write I mean co-write. She handles the lyrics and sometimes even some melody ideas, and I develop them the rest of the way, and then Spiker makes it sound like it was recorded at Oceanway for a ten million dollar budget. Genius. Let's keep doing this, it's a fun way to do things, and it works.
I have another project that's too top secret to even talk about, but my partners and I have already written the entire record, and it's coming together as my favorite thing I've ever done musically. And when you hear it you'll say.. "Ohhhh.. you're right, this IS amazing!" Yes, I'm that into it... and so shall you be too.

Not a lot else to say really. I'm writing this as I take a break from practicing the bass. An instrument I never really cared about playing until now. And it's flippin' fun, man! I hope I can do a good job on this bass gig. It's technically demanding, and that's exactly what I need. A swift kick in my finger's asses. Be it the low end or the high.

Sentimental jams

2010-07-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

I've been writing my new record all summer, whenever I find some time in between all the other stuff I've been up to.
I'm about 6 tunes in. Songs don't ever come to me quickly. Or sometimes the bulk of a tune will come in a day, but it might be another week or two on polishing up the words. Either way, I know it'll be a couple months before I've got the whole thing written, but I'm hopefully going to be recording throughout the whole writing process to try to speed things up.

Now that gets me around to this. I have a real and legitimate love for soft and sentimental songs from the 70's. There's just something about that sound that really moves me. And not because of some lame ironic reason, but because I really do love old Paul Davis jams, and the songs of David Gates. I've been listening to a lot of James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Harry Neilson, as well as lesser known folksters from the era, like Maury Muehleisen, and a duo called Lambert and Nuttycomb.

What is it about that sound that really speaks to me? Well I can tell you a few things for sure. The unabashed way in which they all seem to deliver the most earnest words. To me, it's takes a lot more courage to sing that kind of stuff than anything else, and I find that admirable. Also, the vocal style is always really soft and present, almost like they're just talking to you. I find it comforting. And in cases where there's orchestration, it's always impossibly beautiful, and sits so perfectly with the simple guitar arrangements. So those points I can say for sure, and additionally, there's just a vibe that emanates from those AM Gold classics that just makes me happy. I can't really explain it, but it's definitely not a pleasure that I feel the least bit guilty about.

So be forewarned, there will be some sappy and sentimental jams on this next album, and I couldn't be more stoked about that fact.

Bonnaroo and my Total Guitar Guest Blog

2010-06-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

I'd love to say this.. "Sorry I've stopped updating my Note Boat blog constantly, I've been busy with my Total Guitar guest blog, and a million other things."

The truth is this.. "I've started a bi-monthly(?) guest blog with Total Guitar magazine, and it's kind of taken the place of my already relaxed schedule of updating my personal blog, The Note Boat, whenever I see fit."

I have been deliciously busy however. Getting ready for Bonnaroo was awesome. We had a great time the whole way. Our usual drummer Brooks Wackerman could not make it, so Trainwreck's drummer Nate Rothacker filled in for him, and totally killed it. He was literally brought to tears after the show from pieces of his own melted face dripping into his eye holes... Ok, I promise I wont make any more face melter jokes... Seriously though.. It was an awesome show, and we do all tend to get a little emotional afterwards as we all celebrate our own awesomeness. Our yearly reminder of the sheer power of the D. I hope the 3rd album gets recorded and comes out sooner than later, and forces the D to get a little more busy. It truly is an amazing power force of kickass.

Anywho, my guest blog for Total Guitar is a go. Please check it out. Here's a link to entry number two. From there you can link to entry number 1.

John Konesky Total Guitar Guest Blog

The first two entries are very much geared towards young gunslingers who want to break into the biz and are as passionate about everything guitar that I am. We're going to take it into other directions though as the year progresses. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that people give a shit, because I have a great time doing them.

PS>I've begun writing a solo album that I'm pretty stoked about. It's going to be a follow up to my acoustic album "Kones" available here.

It's not going to be as notey, in fact it will also be my first release I've been a part of with me doing the lions share of singing, which is becoming something I really really enjoy.

Ronnie James

2010-05-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

In my career there is one distinction I hold most dear. I've had the honor of playing on a song with the great Ronnie James Dio. Every time I get the chance to tell someone about this I do, because for me it is a point of great pride. He was an icon, and to me, personified everything that is great about Heavy Metal. He perfected the art; and by the time I got the chance to meet him, he still came off as the most humble and kind human being I've ever met. Watching him sing was witnessing a master at work, as well as somebody who truly loves what they do. A man who had found his calling, his true passion, and devoted his life to it. Ronnie, you've touched us all, and you will be sorely missed.

non-musical endeavors

2010-04-05T11:18:00.000-07:00

This year I've already had two movies come out. One of which I have lines in. Pretty neat. I mean, I live in Los Angeles, you're supposed to do this kind of thing right?.. And hey, the phone's just not been ringing as often for guitar work, so why the hell not.

In addition I've launched an LLC with a friend/business partner based out of South Carolina. We're a small scale inventions firm called K&R concepts LLC. I've always leaned towards the entrepreneurial side, and have wanted to try something like this for a long time. We're developing two ideas right now that are both pretty solid. And it's nice to work with someone as thorough and obsessive about details as I am. Again, if you have the time, why not pursue it?

Think about this, what if you had no insecurities, and never second guessed anything you ever did, and just went for it. Well, there's any number of results that would come of this, one being, you could end up really successful.. Not too bad right? I'd also venture a guess that some folks have followed this path and ended up leaving a pretty nasty stain on our culture. But, you have to respect the commitment and work ethic of those that just go for it.

I'm going to strive to be like that. Just working my ass of and going for it until something hits.

I quit drinking a year ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Hangovers do not equal productivity.

Goals this year include:

More touring

Developing new musical projects

LLC owning at least one trademark, start patent process

T.D. record (I have no control over this but keeping my fingers crossed)

Make a million dollars for some reason.

Getting things done

2010-02-25T17:03:00.000-08:00

When I'm overwhelmed with work, I like to imagine I'm Michael Corleone, and my tasks are heads of rival mafia families that need "dealt" with. You just gotta go in and clean house sometimes. Wrap up everything you can, in the time you have, so you can relax without fear of execution.
Of course relaxation turns to boredom in no time at all.
I want to be busier than I am.. Well, actually, I want to be busier with works that pays me. I feel like I literally spend all my time, investing that time.
I'm just so curious to see what this year brings...
That's really all for this one..

On the road again

2010-02-10T17:21:00.000-08:00

Touring is the most fun part of music for me. Sure writing and being creative is satisfying, but there's nothing like bringing it to the people. I liken it to being a traveling salesman. Every city is a new doorstep that requires a knock, and a subsequent pitch. The difference is that people have paid, and want to be there, so that takes a little pressure off the pitch...It's like having amazing leads, every time. That doesn't necessarily mean people are lining up around the block, but at least it means you don't have folks there who would rather be somewhere else...And there's exceptions to every rule..But generally this is the way it works, at least in the world of Trainwreck.
When our late Jan. NorCal run started really shaping up, we decided to put in for a string of dates in March over the course of 3 weeks that would take us back through some of our favorite cities in the mid-west and high-south. I could not be more excited to hit the road again with my good buddies..And I really can't wait to melt some new faces. And now that we finally have a record, we actually have a product to sell. So after essentially being on an unwanted two-year hiatus from the road, we've started the engines back up, and are giving it another go. We're more prepared, we sound better, and the show is pure entertainment. Annnnnnnddd, I'm also looking forward to the coming months because I've been hearing some rumblings from another little band most of us play with called Tenacious D..something about another album and maybe some shows!!
Stoked about the coming shows stateside, and keeping my fingers crossed that we can make it to UK/Europe this year.... We shall see!

Upcoming Trainwreck dates posted here:
Trainwreck Tour Dates
Upcoming Tenacious D dates:
-FLIPPIN' BONNAROO!

The Neykov session

2009-12-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

I meant to put this blog up awhile ago, but I got so tied up with the release of the Trainwreck album I never got around to it....
...Not since Lionel Richie has a man named Lionel crafted such catchy and beautiful pop/R&B songs. Ok...There's been better intros to blogs, but for real, this kid's got something. Spiker and I got the call on this one from producer George Drakoulias, who we worked for on the Runaways session this summer. We were both really excited about this particular session because we haven't had a chance to work in this style since we had our own band, The Spiker-Konesky band; An R&B/Blue Eyed Soul group we formed when we lived in Columbus, and performed with for a short time out here in L.A.
One thing has been a mainstay when working with George: The session will take place in an amazing time-warp studio somewhere in the valley. This job was no exception. The vibes in these places are incredible. Dave's studio was originally built by George Duke in the early 70's, from what I heard, and appeared to be unchanged since, save for some new gear, in addition to the old classics. I'll just let the pictures do the talking...

WARCHILD!!

2009-10-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna keep this one brief since I like my blog to stay more positive and music related, but I just had to do a quick one about the accident I was just in.
As a guitarist, my hands and arms are my most valuable asset. At some point I will have them insured. For now, I'm just gonna be really careful. That does not mean, however, that accidents can't happen... The other night I came dangerously close to losing the left half of my body to an erratic, cholo-gang-banger, ex-con, who somehow got the job driving a city bus. The worst part is, technically I'm at fault(according to the city) because of all the loopholes designed to protect the city's interests. Oh well, there's worse things than having to pay your deductible, I could be in a hospital bed.
I think it's important to explain that my written attack on the driver is not unfounded. Normal, mature, and evolved adult humans, who can handle themselves in situations of heightened stress, know that fighting doesn't solve anything. IT NEVER DOES. Our city bus drivers on the other hand subscribe to a much different moral code. One that apparently says: Be sure to try to attack someone if they ever threaten your low-paying shitty job. Which, not surprisingly, is exactly what happened. The man raised his voice and threw his arms in the air and literally came at me. When I tried to walk away he kept pursuing until finally a cop had to hold him back and explain to him(In much nicer words Im sure) that he's a fuckin' idiot and is risking getting in more trouble than he could ever imagine for just being in an accident.
In my humble opinion, these personality types are what's wrong with our beautiful world. Destructive, aggressive, impulsive, and down-right dumb, with little to no desire to better themselves.
So, be careful around busses. They can be very dangerous when driven with no regard for pedestrians. But in addition, be careful around these types of people. They are leftovers from a time when man didn't know right from wrong, or that coexisting peacefully was good for the betterment of the species. Unfortunately this makes up a large percentage of our population I'm afraid.
Ok, Warchild is in the shop getting a fresh wing. I'm glad I don't need a new one, because we don't have the technology. Here's her battlescar.

TOO MANY NOTES!!

2009-10-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

I'll admit that I've heard that before. Or, "It sounds a little notey," or "It's kind of noodley." Not often, but on occasion. Most guitarists who have any interest in guitar solos probably went through a phase where they didn't exactly play the best thing to serve the song. It's ok. It's part of your growth. When you love Mahavishnu Orchestra as much as we do, how could you ever see it as a bad thing.
Of course this all depends on the type of music, and the type of gig. And it CAN be a really bad thing.
In my first years as a professional guitarist, I played really notey solos and was eager to show what I could do. This worked to my advantage because I was in a band that asked for that kind of thing. This is also where I got the unfortunate nickname of "Shreddy," and a bit of a reputation as a "fast" guitar player. Not at all a bad reputation to have. Definitely a bad nickname to have.
As a musician, and a listener though, I had long since gravitated away from your Steve Vai's, and was becoming more moved by The Band, Leon Russel, James Taylor, and other artists who "wrote songs." Not that Steve Vai doesn't write songs, but his songwriting will always take a backseat to his guitar playing. And why shouldn't it, it's what his fans want.

Now here's what I want... I want to be able to write, play, sing, and on occasion take a tasty little solo. Then every once in awhile, bust out a mountain-top-face-melter.

Too much to ask? I don't think so. Lots of people have done it. In my opinion, that's what Led Zep, Deep Purple, and their contemporaries figured out years ago, and probably the reason why the best hard rock and heavy metal all happened around a time when the finest songs ever written were being crafted. I'll spare you the argument that music today sucks, etc. Most people agree that it does. Or at least it's not as good as it once was.

Now, the difference between a face-melter, and shredding is pretty substantial to me. Melting faces comes from an emotional release channeled through your guitar. It'll rarely be perfect, It'll sometimes be notey, It'll often be sloppy, but always impressive, and most importantly, It'll move you. Shredding, on the other hand, is a more fluid and calculated release, seemingly designed to express how much you know about the guitar. It can be melodic, and even really cool to listen to, but it wont make you sweaty.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm fan of many types of guitar playing, and my intent isn't to put any one way of playing on a pedestal.
That being said,
I've been insulted on a number of occasions by people who just assume I only like fast-guitar-player-music. They don't know they're insulting me, but they are. Anytime someone figures I wont like something because I've played fast guitar solos before, has inadvertently insulted me. i.e.> "You probably wont like this. It's a really good song with a great melody, but it only has three chords." ....Hey, Fuck You! I LOVE music. I like lots of different types of music. In fact, probably more than you! And why am I not allowed to be moved by the same melody that moves you, just because I spent time practicing my guitar... jerk.

I recently attended a live workshop with my old guitar teacher from when I was much younger. His name is Bob Murnahan and he's arguably the greatest guitarist I've ever known. He happened to be teaching this class with a partner, and his partner actually said something that I really dug.
He stopped after a particular demonstration and took the time to explain that while he and Bob may play a lot of notes in their solos, that doesn't mean that YOU have to do that. He went on to explain that it's something that they like to do because it's fun for them. It's the way they like to play the guitar, and it's their choice. They also took the time to explain their lessons much slower, but more importantly, I think the lesson solidified the most important thing about playing the guitar. If it's not fun for you, don't do it. And now of course these guys can have fun playing at slower tempos, and I'd never assume otherwise, and nor should you. Both are also very capable of playing a simple, tasty rhythm guitar part and appreciating the lyrics of Bob Dylan as much as you, but they're not gonna make excuses about playing a ripping solo from time to time just for fun.

The moral of the story is, no one deserves good music more than anyone else.

For me, music is perfect when it has a great melody, real emotion, great lyrics and a good hook, and some really great guitar playing, Not everyone requires the great guitar playing part, but it sets a great song over the cliff for me. I don't have to make an excuse for this. It's just one of the MANY aspects of MUSIC that I like. I don't like any one thing over another, but when all the elements are there, it really hits me.
I'll leave you with the Deep Purple classic "Child in Time." Without a doubt, this is Purple's Stairway to Heaven. Way too long, great melody and chord progression, FACE MELTING solo at about 5:00, and moving throughout.

The maiden voyage

2009-10-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Internetters.
As it says on my website, my name's John Konesky, I play the guitar. It's all I've ever done, and it's all I've ever really cared about. But I guess the older I get, the more I realize that it's not just the guitar I love, but everything that comes with doing it for a living. And no, not the cliche sex and drugs part, I mean the part that allows you to go to the bank at noon on a Monday when no one's in line. And having a spare moment to refinish an old chair you found on the street because, in another life, you were a master craftsmen like Norm Abrams, except in this life you only have the WANT and not the SKILL SET.

My dad always told me, "do what you love for a living and you'll never work a day in your life," or something to that effect. He's a jet pilot, so I think he should know. That ranks up there in the cool-jobs-to-a-12-year-old hierarchy along with Astronaut, Cowboy, Race Car Driver, and yes, Rock and Roll musician. This put him out of town a lot though, much like touring does for me when I can get the work. That wasn't anything I ever had a problem with though, because it allowed me to explore the idea of independence at a young age.

Anyway,
"Rock and Roll", up to this point, has allowed me to pay my rent, eat food, and have a couple luxuries, but by no means, made me rich. Being a session musician, or even a "hired-gun" as I'm sometimes referred, is the music world's equivalent to having a decent, mid-level job at, let's say, an architectural firm, but no one's ever sure of the future of the company. You LOVE your team, but there's "just not a lot of business right now." Sure I have my mainstay gigs. Playing with the D has made some of my dreams come true, but conversely, when they're not working, I'm not working, and have to find side jobs (much like teachers sometimes do in the summer, except where they have 3 months off, I have 11).
This can make life very interesting.

Fortunately, enough calls come in to keep my bills paid, and I get to play with different musicians every month. It's really pretty rad. For example, over the summer I got a call to play on the session for the upcoming biopic about the Runaways. They had to re-record some of their songs for reasons I'm not %100 sure of. Next thing I know, I find myself in the studio with Joan Jett, and I'm playing the role of Lita Ford on guitar. How cool is that, to get to be a Runaway for a couple days? This job definitely has its perks. And the pro's far outweigh the cons. I have to remember that sometimes, when I'm draggin' ass because I went a month without playing a show or doing a session.

Someday I hope I can have my own band that can tour and support itself; I'm still young enough I think, but if for whatever heinous-twist-of-fate that doesn't happen, I could be content playing with a million different people every year. If for nothing else, it's a great way to meet cool new people.

I'm very much an "odd jobs" type of guitarist right now. Like the bagger at the grocery store who mows lawns on the weekend to make a few extra bucks, I do that with my music. Lately I've been "mowing" some film score work to fill in the holes. Not major John WIlliams kind of scoring, but small documentary and indie film scoring. It's really hard work, but it's an awesome challenge and I feel it really pushes me as a musician. Not to mention it's immensely satisfying. Here's the movie poster for my first score. The score was a partnership with a talented director/composer named Brent Mccorkle. The film was directed by Greg Kwedar.

Ok, so that's some stuff I've been up to lately, but I think my biggest reason for wanting to start this is because I feel I have some valuable insight for anyone wanting to pursue this hectic, nerve-wracking and absolutely glorious field. Most of the people who seek me out online and write me are aspiring young musicians. 90% of THEM are people who make me field questions about Jack Black and Kyle Gass, the other 10% really want to know how to break into this world. If 1% of THOSE people read this then I'll feel I've made a contribution. My point of view can be seen as unique because, A: I've played in everything from a living room to an arena, and I've traveled in everything from a van to a private jet to do so, and B: I've not yet made it to a point where I'm too far away from the ground. I'm right in the middle of failure and success, teetering some days one way, and the other way the next. It's always exciting, and never boring, and if the world were to end tomorrow I would have no regrets because I can confidently say I've given it all I have.

There's my first post. I promise future posts wont be as long winded and self-serving, and will be rich with content beyond text and a single tiny picture! I hope you enjoy!