May « 2009 « SwingStomp

29 May 2009 (Fri)

MHP designs TJRA logo; risks memory augmentation, death

Posted by Mark A. Heinz at 9:50 PM Central

Joe Randazzo Association, Inc., a for-profit corporation specializing in temporal anomalization and monetization

TJRA, Inc., a for-profit corporation specializing in temporal anomalization and monetization (logo design by MHP)

Mark Heinz Productions (MHP) was recently given the distinct honor of designing a unique, new logo for the great Joe Randazzo, world famous liker of beer, olives, and cheese*–or, more accurately, designing a new logo for his personal website and self-described “for-profit corporation specializing in temporal anomalization and monetization,” The Joe Randazzo Association (TJRA).

The project was a lot of fun to work on; the creative energy was thick, and everyone at MHP and TJRA was getting along famously. Everything was going remarkably well–until we delivered the final version of the logo to TJRA founder and CEO, Mr. Randazzo himself, that is.

That’s when things took a turn. A terrible turn.

You see, in the logo-design biz, we design firms must dig deeply into the very essence of the client, and peer intimately into its collective mind, both literally- (through hypnosis and Rorschach tests, naturally) and figuratively-speaking. This exhaustive process is necessary to ensure that the most genuine and carefully-crafted graphic representation of the client–and everything that the client stands for–is fully developed, and will stand on its own in a highly-competitive, global community and marketplace as an iconic reflection of both excellence and consumer trust. Unfortunately, this very process of thorough analysis and testing has now made myself and my associates the apparent targets of TJRA’s security-management operatives, as disclosed in the footnote of this Official TJRA Communication, dated 22 May 2009.

If all of my Internet channels should suddenly go silent around June 5th, please print, scan, and fax the following note to Ashton Kutcher, Shaq, and/or Oprah for immediate Twitter release:

“It was Joe what done dis ta me– Joe an’ ‘is goons!” ~Mark A. Heinz

*Also noteworthy: Joe Randazzo is the editor-in-chief of The Onion newspaper–which, although minuscule in proportion to the TJRA global presence and cultural influence, is an American institution in its own right. [I know my life hasn't been the same since I stared in simultaneous confusion and glee at my first Onion headline on what must have been one of the very earliest issues of the publication, aboo't a hundreed yeeers agoo' while on the road with Fragile Porcelain Mice. The story was somehow about a parachute; that, I remember. Not much more do I recall, besides the hilarity.]

Filed Under: Art/Design

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27 May 2009 (Wed)

Banged out my first beats since “the sprain” tonight

Posted by Mark A. Heinz at 1:57 AM Central

The aftermath of a beautiful hike with my son's class field trip

The aftermath of a beautiful hike with my son (taken 6 May 2009)

You probably didn’t see my Twitter update about it, but about three weeks ago I torqued my ankle in a rut on a trail while hiking with my son at Pere Marquette.

This wasn’t the first time that I’ve sprained that ankle; so it’s taking a while to heal, and I’ve been trying to care for it properly while it heals this time. In the past, I’d have played a show on it afterward with the help of a super-dose of ibuprofen and without thinking twice. With age, though, comes longer healing times as well as a little more common sense.

I just got back from the studio a few minutes ago where I got to play the drums for a little while after not playing since the injury. Now I’m feeling it in the ankle a bit, but am hoping that it’s just from working out the rust. I didn’t play with FPM intensity or anything–just sat between two speakers and played along with some “Crack The Skye”, and with the opening cut from “Static Tensions” and a bit of up-tempo improv. VERY fun!

And, man, did I need the exercise after nursing this ankle for three weeks. Let’s just say I’m feeling a little bit bloated and unattractive lately, and it’s from all of the non-exercise without compensating in the diet department.

I’m feeling way better, and ready to get back into the studio tomorrow to cut some drum tracks.

Filed Under: Studio

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24 May 2009 (Sun)

It’s good to be one of your friend’s biggest fans

Posted by Mark A. Heinz at 3:15 AM Central

"Bloom EP" by National Skyline (2009)

Jeff Garber has done it again. I’m deep into only the first track on this new National Skyline E.P., and it already sounds like digital gold in my Sony cans.

He sent me a download of this the other day, and I haven’t talked to him about it yet and am just now giving it a good spin after a busy run of days; therefore, I’m not sure if this collection (“Bloom EP”) was done in the same manner as its immediate predecessor, “Bliss and Death”–which was performed and recorded almost solely by Jeff.

Here’s a link to preview and buy this and other National Skyline titles from Amazon.

Filed Under: Reviews

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22 May 2009 (Fri)

Video: My final moments on the Mississippi Nights stage (2007)

Posted by Mark A. Heinz at 11:53 PM Central

Well, I stayed up way too late last night, but successfully transferred the tapes.

And now, as a bonus to those of you keeping up with all of the recent related action, I give you a raw clip of my last-ever walk across a genuine historic landmark, the Mississippi Nights stage. This short video was shot well after the majority had left the “Last Call” (19 Jan 2007) gathering and will no doubt bring back memories for those who’ve ever had the honor of playing the stage. It might also be of interest to those who never had the opportunity to view the Nights from this vantage point. (To those folks, I say, “Why weren’t you at Nirvana in ’91!? Just about EVERYBODY THERE got on stage!)

Now that I think of it, the below clip kind of gives you a taste of how I remember it. It’s mostly shot from either the stage or from inside Dressing Room 1, before one of our shows at Mississippi Nights, circa 1997. (Coincidentally, Dressing Room 1 is the room that I’m emerging from right before walking up the steps onto the stage deck in the “Last Call” video above.)

The above video is an excerpt from a video bonus feature that originally appeared on the The Guide to Fast Living, Vol. 2 compilation CD (1997). The actual recorded audio for Stripping Grace that’s used in the video comes from a demo session that we did some time before the All This Baggage sessions, and that appeared on the aforementioned The Guide to Fast Living, Vol. 2.

Filed Under: Video

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Capturing video footage of Mississippi Nights “Last Call”

Posted by Mark A. Heinz at 2:13 AM Central

Logging and capturing video

I’m still up, capturing three tapes’ worth of footage from the very last night of festivities (19 Jan 2007) at the legendary Mississippi Nights music club before bed.

It’s really more b-roll footage than anything, but my friend and longtime drum tech Ryan and I tried to capture the essence of the club in–what?–2.5 hours. There are some really good moments in here. Can’t wait to share it in some form with all of you. Great, great memories.

There’s no way I could have missed this gathering, and I was so proud and heartbroken at the same time to play my last drum beat on that epic stage–easily my favorite stage ever.

[I'm watching the Sympathy for the Devil train wreck right now, Jimmy Griffin, my friend. It really was a shame that I didn't know that one. *ahem* *hands in pockets; head down; kicks dirt*]

[And there were probably a hundred drummers in there screaming, "Man, I know f-ing Communication Breakdown! Give me those sticks!" Eh. Sorry.]

We lost something special with the Nights closing.

Filed Under: Video

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