The Blog of Kris Rodgers

FOG OF DEATH!

2012-02-25T09:43:00.003Z

Well...not quite....

THE U.S TO RE-MAKE ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES!?

2012-02-20T10:28:00.004Z

Uh oh...

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE DIED!?

2012-02-20T10:28:00.001Z

A depressing question....

THE NOSE BREAKER!

2012-02-20T10:27:00.002Z

I BROKE MY NOSE!

2012-02-20T10:25:00.002Z

Arggg, I broke my nose on a slide!

Not just another Bass tuition book!

2011-12-13T13:26:00.004Z

Here is the information link: http://learnbass.net/2011/12/not-just-another-bass-tuition-book/

Here is a link to the forum discussion:

http://freebasslessons.forumotion.com/f18-not-just-another-bass-book

Join me for a pint?

2011-12-12T13:24:00.002Z

Off I go to find a nice country pub to plan next years Bass lessons...

I need Beer!

2011-12-08T12:42:00.001Z

After a day working on the book, I need a beer...

...and guns!

The IPad (and iPhone) Apps I use for music!

2011-12-08T12:41:00.000Z

I Broke my website!

2011-12-08T12:40:00.000Z

I didn't even make any BIG changes!

But o'well. Here's a video that says I broke my website. And other stuff.

Penthouse: Lonkys message

2011-11-21T00:52:00.000Z

Lot's of unusual Bass stuff going on, with me and my band, performing "Lonkys message". I will be teaching this line soon. Filmed and Directed by Neil Gregory.

Neils youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/neilg78?blend=1&ob=5#p/u/0/bNxur4AaZiE

Purchase song here: http://www.reverbnation.com/store/store/artist_838751?item_type=music

Bass/vocal: Kris Rodgers
Guitar: Phil Hall
Keys: Bryan Orwell
Drums Gary Smith (Wayne Castle in studio)
Backing vocals: (Matt Clubb in studio)

Apple iMovie fail!

2011-11-18T12:49:00.001Z

Argggg! Syncing issues!

Skyrim songs of experience # 2

2011-11-18T12:48:00.000Z

Skyrim play through Part three-Run like a girl!

2011-11-18T12:46:00.002Z

Skyrim songs of experience # 2

2011-11-16T15:01:00.000Z

I escaped from the keep...
Although a dragon followed me.
Got a sword, got a bow...
And I vanquished my first foe.
I escaped from the darkness...
Of caves and bitter men.
I'm an Elf, i'm a dark Elf...
who's name is prisoner.

Skyrim play through part two - Eddie Vedder!

2011-11-16T14:57:00.003Z

Jeremy Spoooooooken!

Intro to the Bass book & update!

2011-11-14T14:22:00.000Z

So, here is the intro, so you can get a heads up on the lessons you need to have learnt before reading it. Also, SECOND tragedy:

The first, was that the keystick I had written the book on had become corrupt, as did the file. I lost the initial book. Now, i've just looked back on the videos, and the last FOURTY of the 101 riffs are out of sync and un-usable.

You can thank Apple and iMovie 11 for that. It's a common problem, apparently. Great.

Which means, I'll chuck the last fourty in the second book which will be out in the Summer over here. About July time. Sixty free riffs are plenty to be learning from.

Anyhow, here is the intro. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the my experience. The purpose of this book is to not be like any other Bass tuition book. Hence the name. If you enjoyed my online lessons, you’ll enjoy this. Sometimes it’ll be rough round the edges, like me. But what I can tell you, is that you will learn at least something from this book. Maybe lots of somethings.
The book is aimed at intermediate players, but there is a lot of stuff for beginners in there as well. I didn’t want to just make it at one level, so i’ve tried to mix it up a bit, so everyone can benefit. This is certainly the case with the 60 free bass riffs.

All those people that have asked me how I use the techniques used in my solo bass guitar songs have the information right here. The questions are answered.

The written examples featured here are all in tab form. Sometimes I also mention the notes. This simple approach is so that everyone can get a universal understanding of what I teach herein.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

If there was only one piece of information that I could share with you as a teacher. Just one thing, it would be to practice. Oh, and practice right.

I cannot emphasise this enough. Please, imagine me with my hands on your shoulders, looking you firm in the eye, and saying “Practice Practice Practice” over and over. After a while, it’ll sound like I’m saying Partridge.

I’m not. I’m saying practice. So please do.

Everything in this book will help you along your way, but without consistent practice, it means nothing...

Can I also mention that I’d really recommend getting a teacher, if you can. They will be able to point out any problems you have created in your playing, and will be able answer any questions you may have. Books are great, online videos are great, but I believe they should be secondary to a good teacher.

The topics in this book may seem mixed up. It doesn’t start with beginner techniques, and then move on to harder techniques, such as playing with three fingers and finger picking, etc. That’s because when writing the book, I wrote the chapters as they came to me. When I wrote the chapters, I also created the video examples at the same time. So, they were all numbered together, and couldn’t be changed. So, just take the bits that are relevant to you.

With this book, comes 60 riffs and exercises. All at different standards. Slapped, tapped, funked, punked, rocked, they are all in there. Tons of stuff to keep you amused and practicing. You’ll find them in the .zip, under “60 riffs”. The tabs for these 101 riffs are at the bottom section of this book.

There is also a folder that contains all the examples. This is named “Bass book red examples.”. The example words that are in red correspond to the video examples.

Finally, there is a folder with all the beats in it, at different BPM’s. I’ve added some additional ones to keep you interested as well. Enjoy.

THE SIMPLE STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW.

I’m presuming you are reading this book, because you found me online. If this is right, I’m also presuming that you may have done some of my lessons.

Concerning the rest of this book, the ones I really want you to have completed are:

Introduction to tuning (Just to make sure you’re tuned to standard.)

Beginners Bass part one.

Beginners Bass part two.

The Major scale & Minor (Interval knowledge)

Oh and of course, you’ll need to know how to read Bass tabs.

I’d also like you to have a basic understanding of rhythm. Eighth notes, quarter notes, etc. This isn’t a lesson that I have covered on any of my sites yet, so you’ll have to explore yourself. It’s pretty simple stuff, and there is tons of information online abut it.

If you haven’t done these lessons, then please do so...

If you’ve nailed these, we can move forward. There will be lessons featured here where you will need to know the musical terms from the major scale. Nothing heavy. It just makes things easier when I’m explaining. Intervals. For example, you should know what a fifth is, or what an octave is, and know where to play them on the fretboard. It’s pretty simple stuff, and very useful to know in the long run.

If you need to simplify any of this stuff, do so. Don’t forget, don’t rush your progress. Enjoy the process. This book will always be here for you to take reference from, when you are ready. There is no quick way of doing this, so just take it easy.

Learning is a gentle and slow process....

NOT JUST ANOTHER BASS GUITAR BOOK!

BOOK ONE

This first book isn’t similar to most other Bass tuition books. It’s an archive of the things and ideas that have helped me become the Bass player I am today. A little insight into my way of doing things, if you will. This is how I did it, and I’m sharing some of those ways with you.

Why is it called “Not just another Bass guitar book”? Well, there are plenty of books out there that teach you how to play music, and a Bass, theoretically. Although these books are important (and I’d still recommend them!) they are quite lifeless, and seem to lack practical ideas. A lot are just repeated content from another book that was written the year before. Copy and paste tuition. This is more a book of practical ideas, and therefore not just another Bass guitar book.

So, You might call it a book of notes and ideas. Hopefully, something positive for everyone of all standards. Hopefully, it’s unique.

Please note that the main purpose of the ideas put forward here, is to send the message of experimentation. Play with your Bass like a child. Approach it like a child. This way, you’ll be opening yourself to creativity. Most importantly, have FUN with it! What is the point of doing it otherwise? Don’t become too rigid, and open yourself to new ideas.

Just another word on experimentation: Take everything I teach and tell you here, all the riffs, all the ideas and change them. Add to them. Take away from them. Find ‘happy accidents’. New ideas and riffs will be born from what I teach initially. Musicians do not live in a vacuum. We are constantly borrowing from each other, and evolving ideas. Figure out what is pleasing to your ear. Experiment. Here is an example:

Skyrim play through part one: Kurt Cobain

2011-11-13T18:58:00.001Z

I play Skyrim! Hoorah!

Custom made Bass!

2011-11-13T18:57:00.001Z

Do you Pirate music?

2011-11-13T18:56:00.002Z

Penthouse music video fail!

2011-11-07T11:43:00.002Z

Penthouse have a music video shoot...

GTA 5 = SanAndreas 2!?

2011-11-02T17:46:00.002Z

Ooo! Excited!

Click here to check out the video:

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/debut-trailer-grand-theft/723480

The Castle crumbles down: Original Bass song

2011-11-02T17:30:00.000Z

Another Bass song. I'm not keen on this one. Like the lyrics, but didn't deliver well:

Spitting on Boobs!

2011-10-31T11:49:00.002Z

...Don't do it kids!

It's rude.

1984: ORIGINAL BASS SONG

2011-10-29T14:19:00.002+01:00

Hey kids, kill all of your family and your friends. I know that you can make it 'til the end. I know that you can make it very far. I know that you can make it.

1984, has arrived at last. I'm media personified as class. I'm media personified as me. I'm media personified.

Don't believe everything you're sold.

LONG HAIR ON OLD PEOPLE!?

2011-10-29T14:18:00.002+01:00

ORIGINAL BASS SONG: A LIE IS A LIE

2011-10-26T12:22:00.000+01:00

Mr squeeky bass man is back!

Just messing around. Thought i'd record it.

Nirvana for Christmas number one! Good thing or bad thing?!

2011-10-24T12:12:00.000+01:00

You decide!

If you want to support their Facebook page, click here:

https://www.facebook.com/nirvanaforno1

Skyrim Bass song!

2011-10-23T10:23:00.000+01:00

Skyrim, it's been lonely without you here. Uhhuh.
Oblivion, has been my friend for so many years.
I forgot to pre-order my copy.
I hope that doesn't mean that much.
Will I lose out on cool weapons?
Will I lose out on cool stuff?
Skyrim, it's been lonely without you here,
Oblivion, has been my friend for so many years..

Mage Gauntlet # 1 Kitty hates flowers!

2011-10-22T20:19:00.001+01:00

And so Do I.....!

Mwahahahaha!

Just fill in' the time until Skyrim gets here....

Subway Bass guitar Roleplay game!

2011-10-21T16:42:00.002+01:00

Mmmmm!

The house I purchased with Good adsense earnings!

2011-10-20T13:08:00.000+01:00

Great, huh!? Needs a bit of work, but I think I could live here!

Deer AND Squirrel eat out of my hand!

2011-08-20T15:52:00.000+01:00

Very odd? It is in this country. I've never seen anything like that over here. Both are normally such timid creatures....

Anyhow, it was very cool! Here's the video:

Penthouse have a new blog!

2011-07-16T21:13:00.000+01:00

That's Penthouse as in my band, and not the porn leader. Ahemm...

Yes, its up and running, designed by me. A wordpress blog this time. I'm pretty happy with it, what do you think?

It'll be updated frequently, as I won't be the only person running it, ha ha ha!

Check it out: PENTHOUSE THE BAND

20 thousand thankyous!

2011-07-08T12:24:00.000+01:00

Well, I've hit 20 thousand subscribers on my main channel! I wrote a little ditty, thanking people. The comments on this video make me proud. Sometimes, it's easy to become apathetic to online comments, etc. Text kinda merges together. But reading those comments has reminded me I am doing the write thing, and am on the right track.

Thankyou!

m

Chased by Cows!

2011-07-08T12:17:00.002+01:00

Yes, once again I have been chased by cows. Just like in this post here, but this time it was lots of cows, AND I caught it on video.

A groovy song about cows also featured here.

Oh, and a bit about how to dispose of a dead body. Ahemm.

I Pad 2 video camera test.

2011-07-08T12:08:00.000+01:00

I did a test video previous to this one, and it came out ok. So, I took it out the next day to do a longer test, in slightly different lighting. Although the Ipad2 isn't really great for holding like a camera, the quality is still ok to do simple youtube videos with!

Here is the video:

Flip Ultra 2 HD review...

2011-06-09T23:02:00.000+01:00

...Excuse my sarcasm...

A day of Cake and songwriting with Penthouse.

2011-06-06T11:32:00.000+01:00

A few of us got together, yesterday to do some creatin'

We wrote about 6 songs in about 2 hours. That's the ease with this bunch of musicians. It all flows nicely.

We now have a Facebook page, by the way. Don't forget, I'll be teaching the Bass lines of this band in my Bass lessons (The Penthouse project), so it's worth looking at: Penthouse Facebook.

And here is a video of what we got up to yesterday:

'Jedi Bass tricks'

2011-05-19T11:53:00.000+01:00

I've added this section to the Bass book recently.

A friend of mine is a professional psychologist, and I approached her with some ideas that I thought might accelerate learning. I'd done quite a bit of research on the subject (I've always been interested in human potential-I used most of these myself when I was learning) in the past, but it was exciting to get her concrete answers on the subject.

So far, there are seven exercises that have been ok'd. A few others were a little flippant, so we got rid of them. Seven exercises that aren't conventional in the sense of learning an instrument. Some people will do them naturally, as instinct, but others won't be aware. Those people that are interested in how the brain learns, and what tools we have to support this process will definatly be aware.

Looking forward to adding more to these fun and focused exercises!

Spiritual experience. What happened to me that night?

2011-05-18T21:49:00.001+01:00

A very strange thing happened to me on the way home:

Penthouse in the Studio!

2011-05-18T11:53:00.006+01:00

Well, my band Penthouse, that explains what goes on in The Towers was in Anchor Baby studios on Sunday.

It was a great day. We recorded everything "live", which meant we did the whole thing together, at the same time. This would be simple, but each piece of music is about ten minutes each! So, as you can imagine, there are plenty of opportunities for people to mess up.

But here is a lesson learnt. PRACTICE before you go in the studio. We got both pieces of music down in about four takes. That's pretty good.

Dan Lucas from Anchor baby was very professional. This was great, as most people we have recorded with in the past had been idiots, to be honest. Computers crashing. Un-saved work. Bad sound, etc. This was a pro enviroment. Of course, you pay for that, but it is totally worth it, and I can't recommend a quality producer, enough. Especially one that isn't scared of speaking their mind.

Once these little beauties are mixed down, we will have them mastered. After that, they'll be ready for human consumption!

Anyhow, here is a video of the day. Hope you enjoy the humour, and the taste of songs:

Penthouse are the musical voice of my concept website 'The Towers', which you can check out here:

And here are a few pictures from the day:

I'm Back!/Dave the Dolphin/Sunset & song!

2011-05-06T21:08:00.000+01:00

Whoohoo, I'm back online.

Been busy whilst I've been away. Written a lot of songs. Recorded a lot of Bass lessons which should keep me covered for a bit!

And here is a new video with a nice Bass song at the end for you...

Oh, and here is a link to the song for purchase if you want to:

Video:

Stop chucking spam through my letterbox!! (Part two)

2011-03-14T17:43:00.001Z

Part one is HERE!

The London Bass show-TM Stevens digging my stuff!

2011-03-14T17:00:00.002Z

Here's a video of my day out at the London Bass show.

Had a great day out, and got to test some awesome Basses.

The highlight is in this video, woth TM Stevens, though. Watch on!

The sites I use to design sites & get my content online!

2011-02-28T21:37:00.002Z

http://www.blogspot.comhttp://www.moonfruit.com/?cc=406865

Moonfruit:

Blogger:

Wordpress:

Music: Solo Bass piece: Into the Sun

2011-02-22T15:02:00.000Z

A nice little piece, that reminds me of a cowboy, on his horse, trotting off into the Sunset. Ahh...

Stop chucking spam through my letterbox!! sulk

2011-02-18T12:11:00.004Z

Stupid Conchitas. *Sulk*.

Part two is HERE!

Building an Empire, and becoming immortal with Youtube?

2011-02-16T22:17:00.000Z

What do you think about this?

We're building archives of education. Forget the funny cats. We can pass down this education through these internet archives when we are long dead and buried. I could be teaching your great, great, great, great, great Grandson, Eric, how to play Bass guitar hundreds of years from now.

Wild.

Guitar hero is to be axed by Activision. Good or bad?

2011-02-14T11:43:00.000Z

So it looks like Activision are going to ditch the franchise, as not as many people are interested in computer-music games anymore.

My question to you: Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

How I became a youtube partner (part one) Two MASSIVE tips!

2011-02-11T21:36:00.001Z

I get asked this question quite a lot, actually. I've been a youtube partner for over four years now with my Bass guitar teaching channel, and I've mentored a lot of other you tubers into gaining a partnership.

I though that I would go ahead and create a series of videos, explaining what I told them. Hopefully, this information will also help you!

One of my pics: End of the world part 2

2011-02-08T12:08:00.000Z

This was taken at the same time as this picture.

Lovely sunset, and a great evening with friends.

One of my pics: Fender through Fisheye

2011-02-08T12:05:00.000Z

One of my pics: Fun times gones bad

2011-02-08T12:03:00.000Z

Another from the now taken down Rotunda amusement park in Folkestone. I like the creepiness of it. Fun times gone bad:

One of my pics: Odd railway

2011-02-08T12:01:00.000Z

Check out this track. It's odd, because A) it's hickledy pickedly (sp!), and B) it just goes right into the sea, and ends. It's about half a mile long.

Very odd. Makes for a good picture, though!

One of my Pics: The end of the world

2011-02-08T11:58:00.000Z

Here are some of my friends watching the sunset. I put a filter on it, and it looks like a nuclear bomb has gone off!

Beatmaker2 hits the Itunes app store!

2011-02-08T11:43:00.000Z

Great news, huh?

Well, no apparently.

I've been a fan of Beatmaker on my I-pod touch for some time now. I've just got to grips with using it, and I heard, on the Intua forums that a second version was going to be released. I didn't care how much it cost, I wanted it...

Finally, after a long 'ol wait, it was released. And it looks absolutely amazing. A portable studio, in your hand.

However...

I never check the tech spec when I buy an app. Becuase it was quite pricey, I thought I had better this time. Lo-and-behold, by I-pod isn't supported. So that's me out. I can't upgrade. I can't do anything to get the software I want, except...

...buy another I-pod.

Can you see where this is going? I got my I-pod Christmas before last. This doesn't make it an old piece of technology. There used to be a time where things would last for years and years. And as you can't upgrade Apple products, you are pretty much stuffed.

Don't get me wrong, I love Apple stuff. It works, and it works well. However, this has got me thinking about future purchases. Why bother, if it will be out of date in a couple of years?

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Peter Pan

2011-02-07T22:21:00.001Z

Once there was a boy called Peter Pan...

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Awake

2011-02-07T22:20:00.002Z

Sweet little song. I play guitar:

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Spaceman (Live)

2011-02-07T22:19:00.000Z

One of the rare occassions where I didn't play Bass in my old band, HBM. This is me singing, and generally funking about a bit.

Got us a good name on radio, and in London, this gig...

Old Music: The Liquid Fool: Sit down/New bike (live)

2011-02-07T22:15:00.000Z

Wahay! Here I am playing for my old band the Liquid Fool. Yus, that is me singing, playing the Bass and generally having a good time on stage. Great band!

Primus world tour!

2011-02-07T21:55:00.000Z

Been lucky enough to have seen Primus twice and Les Claypool once in my life. Both gigs were amazing (especially the second one at the Shepherds Bush empire) and I really, really recommend people to go out there and check them out before they stop (again).

Especially you Bass playing people. Les Claypool is such an original talent that HAS to be seen if the opporunity arises.

Check to see if they are playing in your part of the world HERE.

Music: Solo Bass piece: Hallelujah

2011-02-07T21:46:00.001Z

Using Bass chords to cover this lovely song.

Learn how to play it here.

Music: Solo Guitar piece: Would you dear?

2011-02-07T21:42:00.000Z

I don't own nothing, so nothing owns me.

Music: Solo Guitar piece: Scoobys song

2011-02-07T21:40:00.001Z

A song of mine meant for Hot Buttered Muffin before we split...

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Watch the sky

2011-02-07T21:33:00.000Z

I think the end of this song is still one of the best bits of music I have ever written. Love it:

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Silage

2011-02-07T21:31:00.002Z

A rocker!

Music: Solo Bass piece: Cold path

2011-02-07T21:30:00.000Z

This is one of the first Bass solo songs I ever recorded on youtube. Horrible quality, but I still really like it!

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Big Bad Baloo!

2011-02-07T21:27:00.000Z

I got a tiger in my bed...

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Legoland

2011-02-07T21:24:00.002Z

Probably our most popular song!

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Timmy (live)

2011-02-07T21:23:00.002Z

Such a crowd pleaser!!

The Towers. What is it?

2011-02-07T16:59:00.000Z

http://www.towerslive.com

I get asked this a lot, and it's actually quite hard to explain when you're trying to explain to people right in front of you!

So...it's easier to blog about it.

What is it? It's a cartoon website, created by me. A cartoon Tower block, with lots of different rooms inside of it. Inside these room are characters. The music written in the Towers (by myself, and my band Penthouse)

Visitors can click around the Towers by literally clicking on the room they would like to visit. It's as simple as that!

It is also a story, told through the eyes of a character called "The Crackerjack girl". Click here, to listen to the first part. Visitors of the Towers, are looking through the eyes of this character as they walk through the Towers. A modern day, interactive fairy-tale, if you wish.

It's also an advertising opportunity for people. There are placeholders set up throughout the Towers, which can hold adverts. It is a live show, a hub of music, a radio show, an educational facility and much more as well.

I hope that clears things up!? Eeek!

The Hippo and the Herb (the first book I wrote) a sample chapter:

2011-02-07T16:25:00.003Z

(Copyright Of Kris Rodgers)

(Illustrations by Laura Bath)

Tanglet meets the Shoe.

The shoe had been afflicted on Tanglet over five hundred years ago. It happened
in the vast, bloody battle of Turtle Hill. The Kerangian’s had been pushing their troops forward for the last fifteen months. This was their final offensive, a strategic stronghold, which would finally take the Palace, and win them the war.

But then again, divine intervention can be such a pain in the backside.

Theoretically and strategically the defending army should have been crushed that
day, but it turned out that the God Belle Phore had other plans. Little things started going wrong at first. The troop’s shoelaces would come undone, or their belts would snap, and their trousers would end up round their ankles. Swords, maces, flails, war hammers, iron shields, and other metallic weaponry would suddenly rust and disintegrate. The troops suffered awful toothache. It just got worse and worse.

Until Leviathon arrived.

Leviathon was the Kerangian’s Wizard. Their secret weapon, if you wish. He
brought fear and dread into the hearts of all mortal beings, and his power was immense. A lot of people actually thought of Lethiathon as a myth, or folklore. A tale to be told around old Azle’s fire.

Six hundred and ten dead men disagreed with folklore this day.

And not many would be telling tales.

Tanglet himself lived in awe of Leviathon, and dreamed one day that he could
achieve half his power. Tanglet knew, deep down that he might well meet the wizard in battle at some point. In fact, he had nightmares about it.

‘I have known about this moment for some time young Tanglet,’ Lethiathon shouted.

‘I scry’ He added smugly

A terrible storm was brewing over the battlefield. Leviathon’s long, red hair was
blowing in the wind. One hand holding his staff, and the other rubbing a rune, he looked huge, and seemed to be increasing in size.

‘You know I am no match for your power Lethiathon!’ Tanglet shouted back. ‘You
may as well finish me here, and be done with it!’

‘So be it, young wizard! So be it!’ Lethiathon agreed.

The sky was a swirling reddish brown colour, and the storm was now a brutal mix of
wind, rain, thunder, and lightening. Battle debris was being blown around like feathers in a hurricane. Tanglet was finding it extremely hard to stand properly, let alone fight. He was sure his time had come, and this involved a certain ceremony. To be destroyed by an older, wiser wizard, especially of Lethiathon’s status is an honourable affair. Tanglet held his staff with both hands, brought it to his centreline, and touched the knuckle with his forehead. He mumbled an incantation and then, throwing both arms to the sky, he shouted:

‘BE DONE WITH ME!’

The elderly wizard brought his staff to his centreline, and chanted:

‘Vista, colbort, Safian-kor!’

A massive blue bolt shot out of Lethiathon’s staff and hit Tanglet hard in the chest. At the same time a large yellow semi-circle flashed from Tanglets mid section, and absorbed most of the bolt’s ferocity. His shield rune had protected him, but this didn’t stop the young wizard from being hurled through the air, and landing in a heap behind half a dead general. The bolt had hurt him, and burned a sphere into his chest, but it had not killed him. Tanglet rose to one knee.

‘It was a good shot Sir, but you have failed to kill me,’ he murmured.

The wind blew even harder. Lethiathon walked to the weakened wizard, knelt down,
took his chin, and looked him hard in the eyes.

‘Do you really wish me to finish you without mercy?’ Lethiathon asked.

‘Isn’t that the way Lethiathon? Are they not the rules?’

‘So be it! Foolish boy!’ Lethiathon shouted, walking away.

The old wizard turned his back on Tanglet, raised both arms in the air, and started
chanting once more.

‘Simha! Pathos! Kiun!’

The incantation generated an aura of blue and green light that flickered all around the wizard. Tanglet was aware that the wizard was not only getting physically bigger once again, but was actually beginning to hover as well. He noticed his hand was shaking.

‘AFTA….BOSUN…..CRAYLARA!’ The elderly wizard screamed.

The aura twisted around the floating wizard, and cocooned him in an explosion of
light. The light then seemed to congregate into a very large orb above the wizard’s head, and swirled like a massive ball of fire. Tanglet could feel the energy and warmth from the ball where he was kneeling. He also noticed that the orb was beginning to suck in dead bodies and other debris that littered the ground. It was gaining power. Even the weather was being affected by Lethiathon’s massive spell...The wind was now deafening...Bodies span...The orb became bigger…and brighter…the lightening crashed...Tanglet screamed. Lethiathon’s eyes became black, and finally he let out a harrowing yell...

‘SOMLA! PASTORIA! DECAY!’

The orb sucked in on itself and shot its energy like a bow from an arrow.

Direct hit.

A spell of that ferocity would normally mean an instant death. If not an instant, and painful death, it would most certainly mean a terrible life long curse. In this instance it was the latter.

‘Why is it that I still breathe? What angel has saved me?’ Tanglet moaned, whilst
clutching at his chest.

He noticed Lethiathon standing over him, stroking his beard, and looking slightly
confused.

‘I…I….I just don’t understand it’ He stammered.

‘What happened?’ Tanglet asked.

‘You have cursed me haven’t you? What foul future have I to look forward to?’
Tanglet cried.

‘I seem to have cursed you, yes. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting either. I meant to kill you. So sorry about that, but the spell seems to have gone a little…er… wrong,’ the wizard tried to explain.

‘Wrong? What do you mean wrong? You are the most deadly bloody wizard in this
land. How could one of your spells go…wrong?’ Tanglet asked, whilst climbing to his feet.

‘Beats me,’ the elderly wizard replied.

‘Strange,’ Tanglet said, while making sure all his bits were still in the right places.

‘Then what exactly DID it do?’

‘Er….it seems to have given life to……your shoe,’ he said, pointing at the nine and
a half.

‘My shoe!? Tanglet started. ‘Well I never! Wizardry isn’t what it used to be is it!? I was expecting blood from the ears for life, or a plague of locusts that eat out my eyes, and nest in the sockets! A talking shoe?! Ha ha! What are you going to do next? Make my hair go curly!?’ Tanglet shouted smugly. ‘Well then, let’s meet this talking shoe shall we?’

Tanglet looked down at his feet, with his hands held firmly on his hips. His tutor
used to maintain this posture whilst ridiculing some poor unfortunate spotty child at spell school. It oozed a sarcastic authority.

‘Well ooo’s a likkle wikkle shoey woo then?’ Tanglet asked in his most sarcastic,
patronising baby voice.

The shoe yawned… waited for a second ……and then replied…

‘Bog off you fat Barold.’

It was only ten minutes later that Tanglet was witnessed shouting and waving his
finger viciously at his right foot. Lethiathon had to be escorted from the battlefield in fits of laughter. The war had been lost, but he could now die a very happy wizard, which he promptly did that night. Rumour has it that his last words as he lay dying consisted of ‘shoe’ ‘funniest bloody thing I have ever seen’ and ‘ow’. Tanglet had lived with the curse on and off for over four hundred years now. It appeared when it felt like appearing, and reasoned with no man. It was a living, breathing entity unto itself. Chewing gum stuck on a yeti is easier to get rid of, and that isn’t easy as no one has even found a yeti yet. Not round these parts anyway.

Even when the shoe wasn’t possessed, it would always find a way to be sitting on Tanglets right foot when the time came…sneering and jaunting. It
was immortal, and very smart indeed. Tanglet loathed it, and the shoe knew just how to push all the right buttons.

‘I wish you would wash your feet once in a while Barold. You stink,’ the shoe
sneered.

Tanglet pulled a bit of shoelace from his back molar, and sighed.

One of my pics: Solitude

2011-02-07T16:02:00.000Z

I love this. Such a lonely picture (hence the title!). The actual picture was quite vibrant, so I put a few effects on to get this finished result:

One of my pics: Bass guitar in grass

2011-02-07T16:00:00.000Z

I don't know what it is that makes me want to take pictures of my Bass. I just think it's an unusual object in certain envirments. This picture, for example. Its a Bass on grass. Nothing special, but for some reason I think it makes a really great picture!

One of my pics: My Bass

2011-02-07T15:57:00.000Z

Here is a lovely pic of my Musicman Bass. I love this picture!

One of my pics: Telegraph pole

2011-02-07T15:50:00.000Z

Not much I can say about this one, really. I like it.

One of my pics: Winter

2011-02-07T15:20:00.000Z

Just a nice black and white of a Winters tree. Nothing special, but I like it. Took it up in a field near to us, whilst walking our dog, "Puk".

One of my pics: Folkestone Rotunda Dome

2011-02-07T15:18:00.000Z

This was the last dome standing, before being dismantled. The dome was an arcade (remember them?!) which I spent way too much of my youth in!

Click here to check out the Rollercoaster.

One of my pics: Folkestone Rotunda Rollercoaster

2011-02-07T15:15:00.000Z

Creepy one of the old Rotunda in Folkestone. The whole site became dis-used some time ago, and this was the last ride to be dismantled. I love places that used to be vibrant, but fall into a state of dis-repair. I guess it kinda reflects life.

One of my pics:

2011-02-07T14:51:00.000Z

I love this pic. Another taken with a mobile phone. Just the back of my Bass, reflecting the grass on a warm summers day. I wrote some good tunes that day!

My pictures of stuff.

2011-02-07T14:46:00.002Z

stuff

Short story: It moved in a puppet like manner!

2011-02-07T14:43:00.000Z

(Copyright of Kris Rodgers)

I can’t help myself once the thought has entered my head. I know it’s pathetic. I know. There’s no one there. There’s nothing there. I’m going to run to the light and check anyhow.

After three.

One. Two…

Three!

Tappy tap tap tap. (Sound of me running to the light switch)

‘Click.’

My nasty intruder actually turns out to be my dressing gown hanging on the door.

Again.

Silly me. What was I thinking? No one can get in here. The place is like Fort Knox. Nothing human can possibly get in here.

Nothing human.

And then I’m onto the metaphysical. Ghosts don’t need doors. And there is no way I’m going to run and turn the light on again, just in case it turns into that horrible thing from the Raiders of the lost ark.

I’m not leaving this bed. Ever.

So I’m stuck.

Stuck with the things I think I can see and hear.

And then, like clockwork, the big one comes. All it needs is an invitation, and it’s in there. I try to resist, but its no good. Everyone has their creepiest thought. The one that waits and waits…

And then…

BOO!

I’m sorry. I’m being rude. Please, let me share mine with you…

I was in our local library, and I found a book on ghosts. I went through a massive spell of educating myself in any way concerning ghosts. That stopped very quickly when I found this book. I don’t recall the exact details. I think that is because of the massive effort I have put into trying to forget about it. I recall it being a book about ghosts in Kent, and there is a ghost in Canterbury cathedral that haunts on summer evenings…

A ghost of an altar boy.

As I said before, I don’t quite remember all the details. But I recall there being two psychic investigators that were trying to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon. But this ghost was like no other. When the two investigators did finally see it, they were disturbed enough to halt their investigations. It existed, that’s all they needed to know. The thing they found most disturbing about the young altar boy, was not the fact he existed, (which would have been enough for me.) it was the way he moved. Most apparitions float. Some just appear, and then disappear. The rest tend to mimic human movement, as they did in their previous life. But this one moved in front of the altar, from left to right, in…

‘A puppet like manner.’

Argggggggg!!

Like its hands, elbows, knees, torso, legs and head were tied to strings, and were being pulled by another force. This book was an investigation of paranormal phenomena. It wasn’t fiction. The two men were educated, and not biased in the existence of apparitions. They didn’t beat around the bush either. If they visited somewhere that was supposedly haunted, and found nothing, they would say so. Rather bluntly normally. But the altar boy existed. They recorded the air dropping in temperature. They both saw it with their own eyes. And as you can imagine, it disturbed them.

And it disturbed me. But please don’t judge me to harshly. I was only twenty-four. And anyway, maybe I have a better imagination than you. It’s not my fault I can see this vision in such a vivid manner. It’s not my fault that I imagine this horrid apparition moving at the foot of my bed in ‘A puppet like manner.’ I’m only twenty-six now. I’m a child. I’m allowed to be scared of things that go bump in the night. Anyhow, why am I justifying how scary my image is? It’s my story! Hah! I don’t care how old you are, if it's scary…it's scary. And if I had a point, then this would be it.

Things that aren’t there have the ability to scare us.

When I think rationally about it, I know that my ghost doesn’t exist. But in the right environment, (pitch black-me in my pyjamas.) the thought can have a profound effect on me. My heartbeat rises. I sweat. I begin to feel a little icky. It hasn’t even appeared yet, and I am shitting myself. And it gets worse. I’m freaking out here. I’m shaking. It’s having a really negative effect on my body.

I feel so ill.

But it still hasn’t appeared…

I don’t care. It’s the thought of it appearing. What will it do to me? Will it attack me? What will it look like? Will it be as I imagined it? This is horrible.

There’s nothing there!

I’m not taking the chance of finding out. I’m scared stiff here. I’ve made my mind up. I’m not going to even peek. Ever.

The thought of my (bloody scary, I must add) ghost has immobilized me. I now feel really ill. My heart is pounding like Big Ben. But why? The ghost has never appeared. But I carry on thinking that it may. And every time I do this, it makes me feel ill. Not only does it make me feel ill, it also enforces my belief in the ghost. Even though it still hasn’t appeared, I believe in it more and more. This is negative thinking. This is fear. Have you ever thought like this? Have you ever negatively pre-determined what may happen in a situation before it happens? Yes you may do really badly in that exam. But on the other hand, maybe you wont? You are so nervous about the driving test. You may fail. You keep thinking about it-and in doing so-you give it more power. Keep thinking that way, and you may just get what you wished for. You may fail. What are you going to tell your friends? Your parents? How embarrassing. And then there is the financial side of it. It’s not cheap to take another test is it? Oh dear, what a pickle.

But you haven’t even taken the test yet.

Although you have begun programming the blueprint for the final outcome.

And it is this same type of thinking that will stop you attempting new things. ‘Just in case it goes wrong.’ Or ‘just in case you make a fool of yourself.’ I know so many people that are aware of the effect our thinking has on us. They have all the information, but they don’t put it into practise, just in case it doesn’t work. The fear of failure even, before failure has manifested.

So, how many ghosts have you seen?

And more importantly, how many ghosts have you thought you’ve seen?

Everywhere aren’t they? Bloody things. Next time one appears in your head, tell it to bugger off. And more importantly, try and be aware when you are creating them. Don’t forget, you give it its power. Any negative thought form is useless without your say so. Turn it around. Make another. Make a positive one...

Music: Solo Bass piece: Irish blood

2011-02-06T18:42:00.002Z

Music: Solo Bass piece: Blackbird

2011-02-06T18:40:00.001Z

Old Music: The Towers: Bunch of Jams.

2011-02-06T18:37:00.001Z

A bunch of jams from the Towers, before it evolved into PENTHOUSE!

Music: Solo Bass piece: Dman plays the Bluez!

2011-02-05T22:13:00.000Z

Just for fun, mwahahaha!

Music: Dmanlamius: Reginald Jones (putting last Bass track down)

2011-02-05T22:08:00.001Z

Here I am putting down a line with feedback for my song "The demise of Reginald Jones":

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Sp7g7nl2tiI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Bass guitar lesson: Beginners lessons, slap and pop lessons, tapping lessons, hand and tendon exercises, and many more!

2011-02-05T22:01:00.000Z

Music: Solo Bass piece: Something Met@l

2011-02-05T21:57:00.000Z

The first in my heavy Bass series.

Click HERE to check out the second one!

RAWK!

Music: Solo Bass piece: Something Met@l 2

2011-02-05T21:55:00.001Z

I like all kinds of music. I like heavy music.

This video is a reflection of that!

Click HERE to check out the first vid!

Bass guitar lesson: Beats to jam to

2011-02-05T21:50:00.000Z

Bass guitar lesson: Playing with a pick exercises

2011-02-05T21:47:00.000Z

Bass guitar lesson: Slap exercises

2011-02-05T21:44:00.000Z

Bass guitar lessons: Learn to play.

2011-02-05T21:41:00.000Z

Music: Solo Bass piece: Apples & orchards

2011-02-05T21:36:00.002Z

And this is exactly why I love playing Bass chords! Yummy and warm and round!

Life talk: Armed siege (At my flat...!)

2011-02-05T21:32:00.000Z

It all ended peacefully. Loads of police with riot shields and armed officers. I got an escort to my flat!

I only get the guy being taken away here, and not when the officers broke in. Gutted!

Music: Solo piece: Rolling the dice.

2011-02-04T12:38:00.003Z

Info

PR: 3

I: 0

L: 0

LD: 200,227,621

I: 0

Rank: 7

Age: Oct 12, 1999

I: 0

whois

source

Robo: yes

Sitemap: no

Rank: 1628

Price: 961782

Links: 12|3

Density

This, is what finally happened to Disco Ted.

All these characters, live in a cartoon Tower block I created called The Towers.

This song can be purchased here.

Music: Solo Bass piece: Les Claypools underpants

2011-02-04T12:13:00.002Z

A song about THE man!

Music: Solo Bass piece: Down here.

2011-02-04T12:11:00.001Z

The Blog of Kris Rodgers

FOG OF DEATH!

THE U.S TO RE-MAKE ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES!?

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE DIED!?

THE NOSE BREAKER!

I BROKE MY NOSE!

Not just another Bass tuition book!

Join me for a pint?

I need Beer!

The IPad (and iPhone) Apps I use for music!

I Broke my website!

Penthouse: Lonkys message

Apple iMovie fail!

Skyrim songs of experience # 2

Skyrim play through Part three-Run like a girl!

Skyrim songs of experience # 2

Skyrim play through part two - Eddie Vedder!

Intro to the Bass book & update!

Skyrim play through part one: Kurt Cobain

Custom made Bass!

Do you Pirate music?

Penthouse music video fail!

GTA 5 = SanAndreas 2!?

The Castle crumbles down: Original Bass song

Spitting on Boobs!

1984: ORIGINAL BASS SONG

LONG HAIR ON OLD PEOPLE!?

ORIGINAL BASS SONG: A LIE IS A LIE

Nirvana for Christmas number one! Good thing or bad thing?!

Skyrim Bass song!

Mage Gauntlet # 1 Kitty hates flowers!

Subway Bass guitar Roleplay game!

The house I purchased with Good adsense earnings!

Deer AND Squirrel eat out of my hand!

Penthouse have a new blog!

20 thousand thankyous!

Chased by Cows!

I Pad 2 video camera test.

Flip Ultra 2 HD review...

A day of Cake and songwriting with Penthouse.

'Jedi Bass tricks'

Spiritual experience. What happened to me that night?

Penthouse in the Studio!

I'm Back!/Dave the Dolphin/Sunset & song!

Stop chucking spam through my letterbox!! (Part two)

The London Bass show-TM Stevens digging my stuff!

The sites I use to design sites & get my content online!

Music: Solo Bass piece: Into the Sun

Stop chucking spam through my letterbox!! *sulk*

Building an Empire, and becoming immortal with Youtube?

Guitar hero is to be axed by Activision. Good or bad?

How I became a youtube partner (part one) Two MASSIVE tips!

One of my pics: End of the world part 2

One of my pics: Fender through Fisheye

One of my pics: Fun times gones bad

One of my pics: Odd railway

One of my Pics: The end of the world

Beatmaker2 hits the Itunes app store!

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Peter Pan

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Awake

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Spaceman (Live)

Old Music: The Liquid Fool: Sit down/New bike (live)

Primus world tour!

Music: Solo Bass piece: Hallelujah

Music: Solo Guitar piece: Would you dear?

Music: Solo Guitar piece: Scoobys song

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Watch the sky

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Silage

Music: Solo Bass piece: Cold path

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Big Bad Baloo!

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Legoland

Old Music: Hot Buttered Muffin: Timmy (live)

The Towers. What is it?

The Hippo and the Herb (the first book I wrote) a sample chapter:

One of my pics: Solitude

One of my pics: Bass guitar in grass

One of my pics: My Bass

One of my pics: Telegraph pole

One of my pics: Winter

One of my pics: Folkestone Rotunda Dome

Stop chucking spam through my letterbox!! sulk