| Interview with Ron Jarzombek By: Blissfulviolet |
| Best known for his work in Watchtower and Spastic Ink, guitarist Ron Jarzombek has created an entire new dimension in the world of instrumental music. Jarzombek collaborated with Cannibal Corpse bassist Alex Webster and Behold…the Arctopus drummer, Charlie Zeleny to form Blotted Science. The band has been receiving great feedback with their new brand of insane, off the wall- instrumental, technical death metal. Jarzombek gave us the details on the origin of Blotted Science, reflected back on his career as a longtime musician/instructor and more. |
Blissfulviolet: What led you to create Blotted Science and head into a heavier, extreme sound compared to
your previous work?
your previous work?
Ron: A combination of factors, for one, I realized that Spastic Ink was pretty much over – or at least on hiatus –
with my brother living out in California. ‘Ink Complete’ had been a true collaboration but ‘Ink Compatible’ was
basically a solo album where I wrote everything myself, then went on a mad search to find players to play what I
wrote. After that I was ready to do something with more of a band vibe again where I could bounce ideas off
someone else and collaborate on music. I was finding myself lost within the “prog metal” genre, and decided to go
a heavier route. Since I had already done quite a few recordings via the tech route, doing something heavier only
seemed like the right direction for me this time around.
with my brother living out in California. ‘Ink Complete’ had been a true collaboration but ‘Ink Compatible’ was
basically a solo album where I wrote everything myself, then went on a mad search to find players to play what I
wrote. After that I was ready to do something with more of a band vibe again where I could bounce ideas off
someone else and collaborate on music. I was finding myself lost within the “prog metal” genre, and decided to go
a heavier route. Since I had already done quite a few recordings via the tech route, doing something heavier only
seemed like the right direction for me this time around.
Blissfulviolet: Blotted Science features Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse on
bass, how did you hookup with him for this project?
bass, how did you hookup with him for this project?
Ron: Well, once I started to think about who I wanted to work with I put some
feelers out to people. Chris Adler was first on board, and then I had seen a video
of Cannibal Corpse do ‘Frantic Disembowelment’ on a DVD and Alex’s bass
playing really impressed me. So I put the word out on the WatchTower/Spastic Ink
message board to see if anyone knew how to get ahold of Alex. A friend of his
saw my post and let Alex know about it and shortly thereafter I got an e-mail from
him saying that he was interested in doing something. Luckily, Cannibal was
getting off the road and Alex had the time to do something else so the timing was
perfect.
feelers out to people. Chris Adler was first on board, and then I had seen a video
of Cannibal Corpse do ‘Frantic Disembowelment’ on a DVD and Alex’s bass
playing really impressed me. So I put the word out on the WatchTower/Spastic Ink
message board to see if anyone knew how to get ahold of Alex. A friend of his
saw my post and let Alex know about it and shortly thereafter I got an e-mail from
him saying that he was interested in doing something. Luckily, Cannibal was
getting off the road and Alex had the time to do something else so the timing was
perfect.
Blissfulviolet: You have gone through a few drummers while getting Blotted
Science started, was there a certain reason for the departure of your previous
drummers?
Science started, was there a certain reason for the departure of your previous
drummers?
Ron: With Chris Adler it was a lack of time on his part because Lamb of God kept him really busy and they were
getting ready to write a new album at the time. Chris didn’t want to hold us back so he bowed out. Hopefully we’ll
get a chance to work together in some capacity down the line. We actually co-wrote and recorded a song
together for the ‘Drum Nation Vol.3’ compilation, which turned out pretty cool. Alex then suggested Derek Roddy
who was all into it at first but we ended up making very little progress over a period of several months. Derek also
had other things going on, but he wanted to re-write many of the drum parts, which I wasn’t into because the
songs were fully written by the time he got involved. So he decided to bail out as well.
getting ready to write a new album at the time. Chris didn’t want to hold us back so he bowed out. Hopefully we’ll
get a chance to work together in some capacity down the line. We actually co-wrote and recorded a song
together for the ‘Drum Nation Vol.3’ compilation, which turned out pretty cool. Alex then suggested Derek Roddy
who was all into it at first but we ended up making very little progress over a period of several months. Derek also
had other things going on, but he wanted to re-write many of the drum parts, which I wasn’t into because the
songs were fully written by the time he got involved. So he decided to bail out as well.
Blissfulviolet: Since then, you have added Charlie Zeleny to the pack. How did you know he was perfect for this
job and what do you feel he adds to Blotted Science?
job and what do you feel he adds to Blotted Science?
Ron: Obviously when you listen to all the crazy shit Charlie does with Behold…The Arctopus, you get a pretty
good idea what he is capable of and that you can throw pretty much anything at him. We took about a year and a
half to find out that Chris and Derek were not going to work out, but with Charlie he had the material learned and
recorded in a matter of months. For this difficult material and our working situation, that’s a relatively short amount
of time. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. He’s a slammin’ drummer and he knows how to read music –
that was a major factor given that this was a long distance recording project. Being able to communicate musically
was really important under the circumstances. If and when there is a second BLOTTED SCIENCE album we do
plan on getting together in a room and hash things out as a band but it’s good to know we can get stuff done
independently no matter what. It’s a matter of patience and dedication, and not everybody has that.
good idea what he is capable of and that you can throw pretty much anything at him. We took about a year and a
half to find out that Chris and Derek were not going to work out, but with Charlie he had the material learned and
recorded in a matter of months. For this difficult material and our working situation, that’s a relatively short amount
of time. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. He’s a slammin’ drummer and he knows how to read music –
that was a major factor given that this was a long distance recording project. Being able to communicate musically
was really important under the circumstances. If and when there is a second BLOTTED SCIENCE album we do
plan on getting together in a room and hash things out as a band but it’s good to know we can get stuff done
independently no matter what. It’s a matter of patience and dedication, and not everybody has that.
Blissfulviolet: With the band being long distance, has it been troublesome to keep Blotted Science going?
Ron: Well, things might have come together quicker had we been able to do the album the conventional way,
which was the plan early on when Chris Adler was in the band. The long distance thing really only became a
problem because people either couldn’t read music or didn’t communicate well. It was never a problem between
Alex and myself. But, Chris (Adler) doesn’t read so doing the album long-distance with him would’ve been nearly
impossible and time consuming. Derek Roddy would’ve worked out had he been with us from day one but he had
a problem adapting to the songs and wanted change things around too much as I mentioned earlier. Charlie was
a breeze after that because we could read and communicates well.
which was the plan early on when Chris Adler was in the band. The long distance thing really only became a
problem because people either couldn’t read music or didn’t communicate well. It was never a problem between
Alex and myself. But, Chris (Adler) doesn’t read so doing the album long-distance with him would’ve been nearly
impossible and time consuming. Derek Roddy would’ve worked out had he been with us from day one but he had
a problem adapting to the songs and wanted change things around too much as I mentioned earlier. Charlie was
a breeze after that because we could read and communicates well.
Blissfulviolet: How did this collaboration work when creating the album, who gave input in the writing and
recording process?
recording process?
Ron: ‘Machinations’ is totally a collaboration between Alex and myself. Alex’s final bass were recorded before
Charlie came into the picture, so, he had no input other than creating his drum parts around the programmed
blueprint he was given. Alex and I wrote parts on our own, and then we sent each other our ideas, via music
sheets and mp3s with email attachments. Charlie writes for Behold… The Arctopus and I’m sure will heavily
contribute on the next one.
Charlie came into the picture, so, he had no input other than creating his drum parts around the programmed
blueprint he was given. Alex and I wrote parts on our own, and then we sent each other our ideas, via music
sheets and mp3s with email attachments. Charlie writes for Behold… The Arctopus and I’m sure will heavily
contribute on the next one.
Blissfulviolet: The name ‘Blotted Science’ is an interesting name for the band, how did it come about and how
do you feel it relates to the bands overall sound?
do you feel it relates to the bands overall sound?
Ron: Alex and I wanted ‘Science’ in the band name, but took a
while to come up with ‘Blotted’. It’s still not quite right, but very
close. The reason we wanted ‘science’ is because this music is very
tech-y, and it gives us some cool concepts to write about and work
with for future CDs. Im into the concepts and all, and now we have
the freedom to take whatever route we want. WatchTower was going
to do the Mathematics CD which implied working with numbers.
Spastic Ink had the Ink to work with, and we could have done over a
dozen CDs that tied into that. Alex came up with The Machinations
of Dementia which was the band name for a short time. It worked
out better being the title of the CDs because it specifically refers to
the brain disorders concept.
while to come up with ‘Blotted’. It’s still not quite right, but very
close. The reason we wanted ‘science’ is because this music is very
tech-y, and it gives us some cool concepts to write about and work
with for future CDs. Im into the concepts and all, and now we have
the freedom to take whatever route we want. WatchTower was going
to do the Mathematics CD which implied working with numbers.
Spastic Ink had the Ink to work with, and we could have done over a
dozen CDs that tied into that. Alex came up with The Machinations
of Dementia which was the band name for a short time. It worked
out better being the title of the CDs because it specifically refers to
the brain disorders concept.
Blissfulviolet: Blotted Science’s debut album, The Machinations
of Dementia has been receiving great reviews. For those who still
haven’t picked the album up yet, can you describe the sound?
of Dementia has been receiving great reviews. For those who still
haven’t picked the album up yet, can you describe the sound?
Ron: In a nutshell – BLOTTED SCIENCE is technical/progressive all-instrumental borderline death metal. Kind of
like Cannibal Corpse violating Spastic Ink! LOL I spent quite a bit of time immersing myself into Cannibal Corpse
and Lamb of God’s music (since Chris Adler was our original drummer and I wanted to take his style into
consideration) to get into the proper frame of mind when I started writing. I wanted to combine the extremeness of
death metal with what comes naturally to me. Obviously, Alex brought the death element to the table and his style
really helped shape the direction from the ground up even though I did end up writing the majority of the material.
But, even on the material that I wrote, you can hear Alex’s influence.
like Cannibal Corpse violating Spastic Ink! LOL I spent quite a bit of time immersing myself into Cannibal Corpse
and Lamb of God’s music (since Chris Adler was our original drummer and I wanted to take his style into
consideration) to get into the proper frame of mind when I started writing. I wanted to combine the extremeness of
death metal with what comes naturally to me. Obviously, Alex brought the death element to the table and his style
really helped shape the direction from the ground up even though I did end up writing the majority of the material.
But, even on the material that I wrote, you can hear Alex’s influence.
Blissfulviolet: Blotted Science is a totally instrumental band, which makes your music unique to listen to. The
guitar riffs are wild and off the wall and with titles like ‘Brain Fingerprinting’ and ‘EEG Tracings’, one can only
wonder. Is there a concept behind The Machinations of Dementia? What kind of world would you like fans to
journey or experience when listening to this album?
guitar riffs are wild and off the wall and with titles like ‘Brain Fingerprinting’ and ‘EEG Tracings’, one can only
wonder. Is there a concept behind The Machinations of Dementia? What kind of world would you like fans to
journey or experience when listening to this album?
Ron: Sure, anyone who has picked up the CD can see what the concept is about. That’s one of the problems
with all of this downloading going on. Fans can hear the music but they don’t know what is going on within the
songs. To me, there’s so much more to a CD release that just the audio. When I was a kid I used to spend hours
and hours just checking out the album covers while listening to the music, especially concept albums. But yeah, all
of the music ties in heavily to the brain disorders concept. Some of the songs work directly with the
titles/descriptions (Narcolepsy, Adenosine Buildup, Adenosine Breakdown, Oscillation Cycles, Amnesia, and
REM). Those all are somewhat film scores for their titles. Others (Laser Lobotomy, Synaptic Plasticity, Brain
Fingerprinting, Night Terror, Bleeding in the Brain) and are just cool titles that fit the music.
with all of this downloading going on. Fans can hear the music but they don’t know what is going on within the
songs. To me, there’s so much more to a CD release that just the audio. When I was a kid I used to spend hours
and hours just checking out the album covers while listening to the music, especially concept albums. But yeah, all
of the music ties in heavily to the brain disorders concept. Some of the songs work directly with the
titles/descriptions (Narcolepsy, Adenosine Buildup, Adenosine Breakdown, Oscillation Cycles, Amnesia, and
REM). Those all are somewhat film scores for their titles. Others (Laser Lobotomy, Synaptic Plasticity, Brain
Fingerprinting, Night Terror, Bleeding in the Brain) and are just cool titles that fit the music.
Blissfulviolet: You were never able to perform live with your last band, Spastic Ink. Is there a chance for Blotted
Science to play a few shows in the near future?
Science to play a few shows in the near future?
Ron: We’ve been asked to play shows and we want to play shows but it depends on whether we can make our
schedules work. I’m flexible that way but Alex obviously has Cannibal Corpse, which is a full-time commitment he
cannot neglect, nor would I ever expect him to. And Charlie is busy as well between Arctopus and all the other
sessions and recordings that he does. We are gonna get together in early June to rehearse for a couple of days
and go over the songs, just to get a feel for the material and find out what can be pulled off in a live setting.
Whether it goes beyond that anytime soon remains to be seen. I have a habit of recording lots of guitars and this
will tell us what would sound best live as a trio.
schedules work. I’m flexible that way but Alex obviously has Cannibal Corpse, which is a full-time commitment he
cannot neglect, nor would I ever expect him to. And Charlie is busy as well between Arctopus and all the other
sessions and recordings that he does. We are gonna get together in early June to rehearse for a couple of days
and go over the songs, just to get a feel for the material and find out what can be pulled off in a live setting.
Whether it goes beyond that anytime soon remains to be seen. I have a habit of recording lots of guitars and this
will tell us what would sound best live as a trio.
Blissfulviolet: Coming from bands like SA Slayer and Watchtower, have you received any bizarre or negative
feedback on Blotted Science from fans or the media, due to not understanding the bands concept or being open
to your new experimentation with a heavier sound?
feedback on Blotted Science from fans or the media, due to not understanding the bands concept or being open
to your new experimentation with a heavier sound?
Ron: No, there hasn’t been any negative feedback at all in terms of people not digging the heavier direction with
BLOTTED SCIENCE. None at all! The younger generation of fans are used to super heavy stuff as it is, and
whoever is still left from back in the day when I was in Slayer or WatchTower has for the most part evolved with
the times and embraced the fact that metal has gotten heavier. I like the fact that Blotted sounds very current. I’ve
never been one to live in the past, so for me moving forward in a different direction is a great thing. Blotted may
be more extreme than what I’m known for but it’s still very musical and melodic.
BLOTTED SCIENCE. None at all! The younger generation of fans are used to super heavy stuff as it is, and
whoever is still left from back in the day when I was in Slayer or WatchTower has for the most part evolved with
the times and embraced the fact that metal has gotten heavier. I like the fact that Blotted sounds very current. I’ve
never been one to live in the past, so for me moving forward in a different direction is a great thing. Blotted may
be more extreme than what I’m known for but it’s still very musical and melodic.
The reviews have been pretty incredible for the most
part. There was a really funny one we got early on by
some guy out in California who completely does not
get progressive/instrumental metal at all. He was like,
“don’t these guys want any chicks at their gigs?! All
they’re gonna get is a bunch of Rush nerds!” Pure
comedy! Of course we get a few comments because
the music is instrumental and people are expecting
death metal vocals to come in, but that was totally to
be expected. And all that does is put the music more
up front, and that’s exactly what we wanted.
part. There was a really funny one we got early on by
some guy out in California who completely does not
get progressive/instrumental metal at all. He was like,
“don’t these guys want any chicks at their gigs?! All
they’re gonna get is a bunch of Rush nerds!” Pure
comedy! Of course we get a few comments because
the music is instrumental and people are expecting
death metal vocals to come in, but that was totally to
be expected. And all that does is put the music more
up front, and that’s exactly what we wanted.
Blissfulviolet: What does the future hold for Blotted
Science, anything in particular we should be on the
lookout for?
Science, anything in particular we should be on the
lookout for?
Ron: Well, hopefully a second album at the very least although that may take a while since Alex is in Cannibal
mode once again and will have very little time to do anything else. Like I said earlier, we do want to take Blotted
out of our bedrooms at some point and do shows, a leg of a tour, or even just a foot, opening up for a bigger
band maybe, but that’s all up in the air. We’re already picking what songs are our favorites, which we’re going to
run over at the rehearsal, and what we think would work best live.
mode once again and will have very little time to do anything else. Like I said earlier, we do want to take Blotted
out of our bedrooms at some point and do shows, a leg of a tour, or even just a foot, opening up for a bigger
band maybe, but that’s all up in the air. We’re already picking what songs are our favorites, which we’re going to
run over at the rehearsal, and what we think would work best live.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired you to pick up the guitar at such a young age?
Ron: Pretty much when I heard and saw Kiss. Then came Rush. From then on it was over. No more dreams of
being a marine biologist or architect. I actually started playing piano first, then switched to guitar after my fellow
classmates told me that guitar was much cooler than piano. They were right.
being a marine biologist or architect. I actually started playing piano first, then switched to guitar after my fellow
classmates told me that guitar was much cooler than piano. They were right.
Blissfulviolet: You first made a name for yourself when joining SA Slayer as a teen. What comes to mind when
thinking back to these days?
thinking back to these days?
Ron: That was an exciting time. Slayer was a big draw around San Antonio and South Texas and for me to be
able to jump into a situation like that as a kid was nice. We’d pack out shows and played all over with bands like
WatchTower, Helstar, and even the other (L.A.) Slayer, which was at the Villa Fontana in ’84. A friend of mine told
me he saw a listing on eBay for a limited edition vinyl bootleg of that show recently. Crazy! I vividly remember
doing gigs with WatchTower (when Billy White was the guitarist) and being blown away by them. The other
members of Slayer were impressed by them as well, but that was closer to what I was about at the time. The black
spandex pants and leather vests weren’t exactly what I was into so it was fun getting involved with the Slayer
guys. Musically Slayer was a really good band in the early Maiden/Angel Witch/Mercyful Fate vein, but I have to
admit I was pretty freaked out when I first heard the kind of stuff Steve Cooper came up with for my songs. You
know, I was this church going Catholic kid and here is Cooper warbling all these pseudo Satanic lyrics. I can laugh
about it now. LOL.
able to jump into a situation like that as a kid was nice. We’d pack out shows and played all over with bands like
WatchTower, Helstar, and even the other (L.A.) Slayer, which was at the Villa Fontana in ’84. A friend of mine told
me he saw a listing on eBay for a limited edition vinyl bootleg of that show recently. Crazy! I vividly remember
doing gigs with WatchTower (when Billy White was the guitarist) and being blown away by them. The other
members of Slayer were impressed by them as well, but that was closer to what I was about at the time. The black
spandex pants and leather vests weren’t exactly what I was into so it was fun getting involved with the Slayer
guys. Musically Slayer was a really good band in the early Maiden/Angel Witch/Mercyful Fate vein, but I have to
admit I was pretty freaked out when I first heard the kind of stuff Steve Cooper came up with for my songs. You
know, I was this church going Catholic kid and here is Cooper warbling all these pseudo Satanic lyrics. I can laugh
about it now. LOL.
Blissfulviolet: Speaking of WatchTower, what is the current status, are you still working with those guys?
Ron: WatchTower is on indefinite and maybe permanent hiatus. It’s out of my hands at this point. After we got
back together in 2000 to play the Bang your Head! Festival in Germany and again in 2004 when we headlined the
Headway Festival in Holland there was a period where we had weekly writing sessions, and everyone seemed to
want to finally put our third album, ‘Mathematics’, together. We wrote and demoed a bunch of stuff and we
basically do have an album’s worth of material. All of the loose ends need to be tied and that’s out of my hands.
I've even written lyrics for a few songs, and have done all my parts to get the job done, but I’m one quarter of the
band. I’m to the point where I no longer care either way because some of those songs are so old that they don’t
represent where I’m at and what I want to do now musically speaking.
back together in 2000 to play the Bang your Head! Festival in Germany and again in 2004 when we headlined the
Headway Festival in Holland there was a period where we had weekly writing sessions, and everyone seemed to
want to finally put our third album, ‘Mathematics’, together. We wrote and demoed a bunch of stuff and we
basically do have an album’s worth of material. All of the loose ends need to be tied and that’s out of my hands.
I've even written lyrics for a few songs, and have done all my parts to get the job done, but I’m one quarter of the
band. I’m to the point where I no longer care either way because some of those songs are so old that they don’t
represent where I’m at and what I want to do now musically speaking.
Blissfulviolet: Being a musician can be difficult, how have you managed to keep yourself involved in the scene
after all these years? What kept you motivated, did it ever become a struggle?
after all these years? What kept you motivated, did it ever become a struggle?
Ron: To be honest, I haven’t strived to be involved in the scene – I make music and I have a certain fanbase that
likes what I’m doing and buys my CDs. I do it because I love it and it’s all I know how to do – aside from
engineering/producing, building guitars, and teaching, which has been my main source of income for many years.
The bottom line is: if you’re looking to make it rich – don’t even bother to go into music! Chances are you’ll win
the lottery first. You really have to be passionate about music to dedicate yourself to it because at the end of the
day the satisfaction of making music is all you might ever get out of it. Financial rewards are never guaranteed.
likes what I’m doing and buys my CDs. I do it because I love it and it’s all I know how to do – aside from
engineering/producing, building guitars, and teaching, which has been my main source of income for many years.
The bottom line is: if you’re looking to make it rich – don’t even bother to go into music! Chances are you’ll win
the lottery first. You really have to be passionate about music to dedicate yourself to it because at the end of the
day the satisfaction of making music is all you might ever get out of it. Financial rewards are never guaranteed.
Blissfulviolet: If you had to pinpoint some of the fondest
moments of your career what would they be?
moments of your career what would they be?
Ron: There are a few. Obviously getting signed with
WatchTower and recording ‘Control & Resistance’ in (West)
Berlin just before the Wall came down was exciting even
though the sessions turned into somewhat of a nightmare
because our producer/engineer was a raging alcoholic who
wasted a lot of time and a good chunk of our budget until we
finally removed him. Touring Europe with Coroner was pretty
cool even though we weren’t traveling like rock stars or
anything. Getting the first Spastic Ink record out was
memorable because it was my first album since WatchTower
and signaled my recovery from a couple of hand surgeries,
WatchTower and recording ‘Control & Resistance’ in (West)
Berlin just before the Wall came down was exciting even
though the sessions turned into somewhat of a nightmare
because our producer/engineer was a raging alcoholic who
wasted a lot of time and a good chunk of our budget until we
finally removed him. Touring Europe with Coroner was pretty
cool even though we weren’t traveling like rock stars or
anything. Getting the first Spastic Ink record out was
memorable because it was my first album since WatchTower
and signaled my recovery from a couple of hand surgeries,
Blissfulviolet: Is their anything that you still wish to accomplish one day?
Ron: Making a living playing nothing but my own music would be nice. Getting on the cover of ‘Guitar Player’
would be damn cool. Working on a soundtrack with Danny Elfman or Trevor Rabin would be a dream come true.
Actually, just working on any animated film would be great. Sometimes I think I’d like to do that more than working
in a band context. Working for a company like Pixar would be the ultimate.
would be damn cool. Working on a soundtrack with Danny Elfman or Trevor Rabin would be a dream come true.
Actually, just working on any animated film would be great. Sometimes I think I’d like to do that more than working
in a band context. Working for a company like Pixar would be the ultimate.
Blissfulviolet: What are your thoughts on the current Texas Metal scene?
Ron: I don’t really keep up with the Texas scene to tell you the truth. Obviously, it’s not as high profile as it was in
the 80’s and early 90’s when bands like Pantera, WatchTower, Helstar, Juggernaut, Devastation, Rigor Mortis,
Solitude Aeturnus, Agony Column and Dangerous Toys all had indie or even major record deals. But I think that
goes for other scenes, too – L.A., the Bay Area or Seattle had very vibrant metal scenes at one time or another
and it’s nothing like it used to be in those places either.
the 80’s and early 90’s when bands like Pantera, WatchTower, Helstar, Juggernaut, Devastation, Rigor Mortis,
Solitude Aeturnus, Agony Column and Dangerous Toys all had indie or even major record deals. But I think that
goes for other scenes, too – L.A., the Bay Area or Seattle had very vibrant metal scenes at one time or another
and it’s nothing like it used to be in those places either.
Blissfulviolet: You are working on releasing an instructional dvd, how has it been coming along and what type
of material will be covered?
of material will be covered?
Ron: All is coming along great, and as expected it’s all taking a while to get things completed. The focus of the
DVDs will be the progressive/technical aspect of writing and playing, with examples and insight for material from
both Spastic Ink CDs, my solo CDs, and ‘The Machinations Of Dementia', of course. To be covered (with
excerpts/examples from), will be (on DVD I: 1. Common simple scales use and abuse, 2. Changing Keys, 3.
Simultaneous Major/Minor keys/progressions, 4. Floating Parallels, 5. Timing (syncopation), 6. Trade-Offs, 7.
Starts / Stops, and 8. The A/B Switch. DVD II will focus on the 12-tone aspect of writing. I started using all 12 tones
when writing on “Nighty Nite’ on my first solo CD ‘PHHHP!.’ This evolved into using multiple 12 tone sets,
modulating 12 tone sets, then on the Blotted Science CD, I started using what I call ‘The Circle Of 12 Tones’. The
DVDs will not have any chapters titled ‘5 string arpeggios’, ‘sweeping’, ‘alternate picking’, etc… All of the
technique stuff will be played, but it will be fitted into the context of other theoretical things.
DVDs will be the progressive/technical aspect of writing and playing, with examples and insight for material from
both Spastic Ink CDs, my solo CDs, and ‘The Machinations Of Dementia', of course. To be covered (with
excerpts/examples from), will be (on DVD I: 1. Common simple scales use and abuse, 2. Changing Keys, 3.
Simultaneous Major/Minor keys/progressions, 4. Floating Parallels, 5. Timing (syncopation), 6. Trade-Offs, 7.
Starts / Stops, and 8. The A/B Switch. DVD II will focus on the 12-tone aspect of writing. I started using all 12 tones
when writing on “Nighty Nite’ on my first solo CD ‘PHHHP!.’ This evolved into using multiple 12 tone sets,
modulating 12 tone sets, then on the Blotted Science CD, I started using what I call ‘The Circle Of 12 Tones’. The
DVDs will not have any chapters titled ‘5 string arpeggios’, ‘sweeping’, ‘alternate picking’, etc… All of the
technique stuff will be played, but it will be fitted into the context of other theoretical things.
Blissfulviolet: Do you have any advice for new guitar players or musicians out there?
Ron: Musically, stick to what you believe in, don’t be a bandwagon jumper copying other bands. Do your own
thing. I think it’s important to get immersed in music theory, work with a metronome, learn proper technique, listen
to music styles other than what you are playing and writing in, get involved in a band early on, learn about
recording, learn to work with other players, etc.. I could go on and on with this one.
thing. I think it’s important to get immersed in music theory, work with a metronome, learn proper technique, listen
to music styles other than what you are playing and writing in, get involved in a band early on, learn about
recording, learn to work with other players, etc.. I could go on and on with this one.
Blissfulviolet: Thanks for your time and insight Ron, any final thoughts?
Ron: I think I’ve said plenty, my friend. I’m outta here! Thank you for the interview.
which had prevented me from playing any guitar at all for nearly 3 years. The Marty Friedman tours are another
highlight, especially the Tokyo show, which is out on DVD now. That was my first time in Japan and I always
wanted to play there. And I’d definitely call BLOTTED SCIENCE a high point – it’s probably my most well received
album to date and I’m really pleased how everything has turned out so far.
highlight, especially the Tokyo show, which is out on DVD now. That was my first time in Japan and I always
wanted to play there. And I’d definitely call BLOTTED SCIENCE a high point – it’s probably my most well received
album to date and I’m really pleased how everything has turned out so far.
