HAPPY 2008!!! Well, not much to say at the moment. The Psychëdaisies haven't had a show in a while, but everyone's been busy working on various projects.... Mike and Jeff are still busy in the FPA, Robert and Mike are involved with another member of the FPA in a new project called "Handheld" (see their MySpace), and I've been busy editing two documentaries and doing some work with a new project called "The Obsequious Paradoxes".... However The Psychëdaisies did do a little jam recording on Mike's birthday that yielded some fun tracks (I'll try to post some of these in the near future), and we are always working on new tracks in various combinations together (as well as with our many musical friends); so who knows what the future holds? Stay tuned.... Anyway, I thought I'd quickly toss on a few tunes as we can now have 6 on MySpace. "Flying" and "The Kids Come Out To Play" are a couple of older tunes that Mike and I worked on sometime ago, and of course, "Want You To Think" is a classic standard show opener from The Psychëdaisies playlist. Hope you all are well and content in the new year....

Cheers,
Don

So much has happened since I last blogged last that I hardly know where to begin…. So I guess I should start by saying "THANKS!!" to everyone who's supported us so far by coming to the first five gigs, checking out the website, and all the word-of-mouth networking. Also, a super huge "THANKS!!" to:

1) Kris Stiegler, Jessica Stacy, Andrew Lathrop, and Chris Vatland for taking pictures at the gigs;
2) Andrew Lathrop and Brian Hickey for filming at our first gig; and
3) Fortune Cookie (and their sound guy, Don) for making a sound recording of our first gig.

We really appreciate everyone's help and support more than we can say!

We officially changed the band name to The Psych..daisies to avoid any possible confusion or issues with any other bands. The "Psych.." in our name refers to a combination of "psycho" as in crazy, "psyche" as in the inner mind/soul, and "psychedelic"- all together, our band name refers to "the flowering of our crazy psychedelic inner minds…."

Since I last blogged, we've gained (and lost) a rhythm guitarist, and I've been in two car accidents (Nov 22nd & Feb 5th), all of which has really slowed us down. Despite all of this, we gave our first live performance at The Wetlands on Dec 16, 2006. So far we've played five gigs in Eugene. The public response has been great! We have more gigs coming up in Eugene (in April).

Since my most recent accident, I've been convalescing, and the rest of the band has taken the opportunity to start recording some of our songs (as many of you know, we have been using two microphones in the band room to record our practices for the past year, but these will be our first produced studio recordings).

Some of you have asked why we haven't yet posted a practice recording of Valentijn (the Dutch song we've been performing at our gigs). The reason for this is simple- the song was written by my friend, Bart Bleijerveld, and we haven't asked his permission to make an official recording of it, yet. Maybe this will happen in the future. Who knows? In any case, I'm glad that the song is getting this kind of response. You can check out more of Bart's music (with him playing it) at:

http://www.myspace.com/barttroubadour

The new songs for this time are special, because if they resurface in our band's new incarnation, they will never sound quite like this again. Here they are:

1) You Don't Have To (5:32)

Jeff - drums
Don - lead vocals
Mike - lead guitar/backing vocals
Sam - rhythm guitar

This is a relatively new jam that we've been developing and playing at our gigs. This version of You Don't Have To comes from our practice on Jan 22, 2007, and although it captures the basics of the song, this version is really different from how we have played it up to this point. The lyrics are starting to come together in this take, but I really just like the overall feel of this song as it seems to capture the general vibe of our gigs, and it highlights our ability to react to each other on the fly to produce something cool.

2) It's Good To Have A Friend / The Flex Drum Commercial Break (3:30)

Mike - lead guitar/vocals Don - vocals
Sam - rhythm guitar Robert - bass
Don - vocals Mike - guitar
Robert - bass
Jeff - drums

These are really two completely unrelated tracks that just sound great together like this! It's Good To Have A Friend is still in progress. In fact, this will be the first time that most of you have heard of it at all. The lyrics may still change on this one, and some aspects of this take are a little rough, but overall the song rocks! The rhythm section really drives the song, and Mike's guitar solos are just crazy! I know this will be a big song for us when it's finished.

As It's Good To Have A Friend is so short, I decided to append a 41-second outtake, known as The Flex Drum Commercial Break, (from our practice on Aug 7, 2006) to the end. We had only been together for about a month at this point. Jeff was taking a break and doing some stretches between songs, and I decided to rib him a little while Mike and Robert provided music. I like it, because it captures the fun that we have with each other at practice.

3) The Ballad Of Clarence Croaks (5:35)

Sam - guitar
Don - vocals
Mike - drums

This outtake from Jan 10, 2007 is another example of goofing around at practice. Robert was gone that day, and Jeff had to step out for a moment during practice. So Mike got on the drums and told Sam to play something. I had switched my vocal effects pedal to the "goat" setting, and Sam laughed and made some comment about how this reminded her of an old musician (I think it was "Clarence The Frogman Morton"). I thought this was hilarious; so when we started playing, I made up this story about Clarence The Frog. Due to our recent line-up changes, it is unlikely that this jam will ever be fleshed out into an actual song, but it is so complete in and of itself that I felt it deserved to be showcased at least once.

4) Inverted Hyper Spaces (3:20)

Robert - bass
Jeff - drums
Mike - lead guitar
Sam - rhythm guitar
Don - vocal noises

Inverted Hyper Spaces was our first encore jam (Dec 16, 2006). We'd had a really great first gig, and Robert basically didn't want to get off the stage. So when the rest of us began to unplug and leave the stage and the audience began calling out to Robert, he grabbed the reins and went with it. Jeff was the first to join back in, followed by Mike and Sam. I don't come in until the swirly sound effects around a minute and ten seconds into the jam as I had to plug back in. Thanks, Robert, for keeping the fun going!! I will never forget that night as long as I live….

Well, I guess that's all for now. As always, I have included the lyrics (such as they are) for the jams. I hope you all enjoy them. We look forward to seeing all of you at our next gig (April 14th at The Wetlands). Until then, take care and stay cool….

Cheers,
Don

Hello, Everyone!

It's been a bit since my last blog on August 17th, because I've been super swamped with band and school projects (yes, I still hope to grow-up and get my Folklore M. A. one day...). Anyway, about the new tracks- We decided to go with a "jam" theme this time....

1) "Want You To Think" (3:07) This is probably the last time this song can appear as a jam as things are starting to get set with this one, but this take from our October 16, 2006 practice is the first solid jam on it with everything in place. This song tries to touch on the notion that things can be confusing in the U.S.A. with all the spin and propaganda out there. We are constantly told many things to convince us of certain "truths" (or lies...). As we head into the political campaigning season again, "we just want you to think" about what you're seeing and hearing. Be an informed critical thinker and join us in the "War Against Ignorance and Uninformed Actions"

2) The "Wah Wah" jam (6:39) is from our fifth practice (July 31, 2006). Its title simply comes from the fact that I was using a wah wah effect on my voice to try to imitate a guitar. After we finished playing this one, I commented on how much it reminded me of Neil Young in some spots, and Robert noted that since we were just jamming, he had incorporated a bass hook from "Down By The River" by Neil Young (we just want to give credit where it is due...), but I still think this is a great jam that deserves to be heard for what it is (i.e., four guys having a blast and rockin' out together!)

3) The "Spaghetti" jam (6:07) is from our practice on October 18, 2006. The subject of this song wanders from our favorite gal, Mary J, to comments on my keyboard playing. Its title comes from Mike's list of alternate names for Mary and the fact that the jam winds around like spaghetti.... This jam features Mike's first public appearance on vocals with the Daisies as well as my first keyboard attempts, due to the fact that I had lost my voice during practice that day (Mike actually jokes about his singing and my keyboards from 1:58 - 2:15 in the jam). I really like this one though- Jeff and Robert do an awesome job on drums and bass, and I'm not sure what Mike is doing to get those crazy guitar sounds. Hopefully the cool keyboard sound effects will balance out my few "sour" notes

4) Is currently still "You're Gone" as MySpace isn't letting us take it down.... But will soon be:

"It Tolls For Thee" (8:37) is another jam from the October 18th practice. The title is a reference to the 1624 metaphysical poem by the English poet, John Donne, "Meditation XVII":

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

I hope you enjoy the jams. The Daisies are really looking forward to our first public appearance on December 16th at The Wetlands in Eugene, Oregon. Hope to see you all there!!

Finally, I want to give a huge thanks to The Nits. I was first introduced to their music while studying in Utrecht, The Netherlands, in 1990. I don..t know how they found our site, but as one of their hugest American fans, I was thrilled to have them join our friends list! If you have never listened to The Nits, go to their site immediately via our friends list, and check them out!!!! My personal favorites of theirs include: "In The Dutch Mountains", "New Flat", "Under A Canoe", "Radio Shoes", "The Day And The Night", and "Apple Orchard", but they have been going a long time and have many different songs and styles for different tastes.... Maybe one day we will make it to The Netherlands and get a chance to gig for all the great people over there, including The Nits!! Until next time, stay safe and happy....

Cheers,
Don

 Tracks updated! Happy friday the 13th  good luck to all LOL!

The Lights Out Jam was a jam we did in practice on October 9th.
It came out the way you hear it and the reason we call it The Lights Out Jam
is simply because Mike turned off the lights and we jamed.

Thats What They Want You To Think is from October 9th aswell its a little
more polished and it Kicks Ass! But Thats What I Want You To Think..

Also I have clicked the rate my song so please fill free rate our songs
or leave a comment.
We have two dates set Dec 16th @ The Wetlands Then On Dec 29th we are @ Luckeys and we hope to see you all there.

Thanks for all you're support
The Psychodaisies "Robert"

New song " What They Want You To Think"  and better takes of          "You're Gone" and "The Other Half Of Me". Keep you're eyes open for us gigging soon we will keep you posted on any and all breaking news about The Psychodaisies till then. TTFN

Wow! I just realized it's been exactly a month since I posted my last blog on the site.... The Psychodaisies have been practicing hard and writing some new tunes. We hope to be gigging for all of you very soon. Here are four of our newest songs:

EARLY IN THE MORNING is a really cool song that came out of a jam. It is written from the perspective of a friend of ours. Hope you enjoy it.

ENOUGH started about a year ago as a riff that Mike and I jammed on. Mike recently brought the riff back to practice, and it shaped itself into a good old blues tune about cheatin'!

YOU'RE GONE is another jam original. It isn't about anyone in particular, but many people have someone that they can identify with the subject of this song.

IN THE PARK is a punk murder ballad with a surprise twist at the end....

As always, lyrics are posted and available for all the songs. Thanks again for everyone's support! We look forward to playing all our songs for you soon!!!

The four tracks that are currently posted on the site are from our July 17th practice. This was only our second practice with our new drummer, Jeff, (R.I.P. my Alesis drum machine!!) We are stoked with the results, knowing that the songs will only improve as we play more together. Lyrics have been posted for all the songs.

Galileo's First Glimpse came out of a recent jam at practice. The general idea of the lyrics is to describe the various levels of a basic mushroom trip; it frequently jumps around, making little sense, attempts to wax philosophical, falls into the absurd, and then ends with the beautiful moment that it originally sought to describe.... One great thing about the conception of this song was the arrival of Lucky, the squirrel. Yes, Lucky really exists.... Lucky used to come up on Mike's deck to smash the bird feeder and eat all the seeds in it. After I incorporated him into the lyrics, we would frequently see Lucky on the deck when we practiced this song....

Who & How? originated from a jam Mike and I had with our friend, Nate Hall, back in 2001. We had the basic framework and lyrics for quite awhile, but only started seriously working on the song with The Psychodaisies a few months ago....

Sometime's Calling also came out of a recent practice jam. We are still working on the timing, but the energy is really good with this one. Mike does the whistling (this always makes me think of a walk in the woods on an autumn day...).

The Shitty Song is the product of many minds (sounds sick I know!) It started one day long ago when Mike was playing this riff, and our friend (and Mike's housemate at the time), Melissa Linneville, rapped out the original shitty lyrics. Years later, this song still makes me laugh! My lyrics were rapped out during a jam at practice last year, but were still loosely based on the feel that Mel set up so long ago. This version is especially nice as our good friend, Andrew Lathrop, plays harmonica on it. I think most people can identify with this song's universal theme.

Thanks for all the great comments (on and off-line). We really appreciate them!