Friday, December 9, 2011

FFS Christmas Tree Revealed

The official 2011 Floating Fish Studios Christmas Tree is now lit and on display at FFS. Be sure to stop by and admire it's magnificence! Special thanks to Kim for helping me set it up, again, this year.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

FFS Synth Jam 2011 - Intravenous

Floating Fish Studios is proud to announce Synth Jam 2011 - Intravenous which is scheduled for Saturday 10/08/11. The unconfirmed line up is rumored to include Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll), M Scott McConnell (aka MC2P4), and Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius).

Our tenth in a series of Synth Jam Sessions will concentrate on preparing a new Imbued Vagary (IV2) live show.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Progress...

After a night of cabling, Kim and I finished plugging all of the synths into the first Behringer MX8000 mixer. Now it's time to move onto the next one!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Imbued Vagary meets Tangerine Dream


Floating Fish Studios held its eighth in a series of Synth Jam Sessions at FFS II on 04/16/11. The ensemble gathered included Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius), M Scott McConnell (aka MC2P4), and Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll).

On this track, we channeled our inner Tangerine Dream personas as we travelled through the electronic plasma pool. I hope you enjoy!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Sunday, July 17, 2011

First Cookout

Ttam Troll grills some hot dogs at the inaugural first Floating Fish Studios cookout.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Grill Goddess

Grill Goddess, Kim Scott, shows off the latest addition to the FFS equipment list.

Deck Staining

After power washing and scraping the deck, Kim stirs up the stain so we can begin the final stage of another Floating Fish Studios home improvement.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Any Questions? - Nightfall (Live)

"As the remaining rays of light disappear, Nightfall comes."

Next to Slam, Nightfall is probably one of the most recorded songs in the history of Any Questions?. I first began working on this track during late night solitary recording sessions at Der Palast des Goldes in Fall 1989. While MC2P4 and LTJTHC slept in the upper floors of the studio, I would retreat into headphones and lose myself in this slow tempo, vox string heavy groove. My Rickenbacker 4003 was still a weapon of choice in these early days of Any Questions? and I would effect it with heavy delay. If I remember correctly, 4096ms.

Unquestionably, this song was influenced by my relentless listening of The Cure - Disintegration. After being released in May 1989, I would listen to it almost daily. Seeing both Cure shows at the Spectrum in Philadelphia in September 1989 further cemented it's hallucinogenic effect on me.

The version of Nightfall that I share with you now is a live recording from Fall 1989 which was recorded at P&G Studios. It features LTJTHC playing "live" drum machine to the sequenced synth parts that I programmed as I ping pong along with delay drenched Rickenbacker 4003 bass lines.


P.S. This photo was taken in Summer 1989 at Valley Forge National Park in Valley Forge, PA.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Enter "The Vortex"


Never officially released, Any Questions? - The FrightWorld Sessions, is a must have addition to any Any Questions? fan's collection.

This track, culled from improvisational recording sessions during our first film project, FrightWorld, is entitled The Vortex. It drags the listener down into an ever intensifying sonic collage of harsh analog synthetics. Will you escape it?

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

"Follow the Bouncing Troll"


Floating Fish Studios held its eighth in a series of Synth Jam Sessions at FFS II on 04/16/11. The ensemble gathered included Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius), M Scott McConnell (aka MC2P4), and Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll).

This raw unedited video footage, shot on a stationary Flip Video camcorder, captured part of the audio warfare. The quality is questionable but it gives you a chance to "Follow the Bouncing Troll". See if you can pick out the synth parts that I'm playing by watching me bounce around.

This improv was titled TR-1.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

FFS II Synth Jam 2011 - Troll Returns Audio Surfaces


This was the first time since 09/10 where all three core FFS II Synth Jam members convened and we wasted no time diving deep into the electronic plasma pool. The first audio to surface from FFS II Synth Jam 2011 - Troll Returns is this improvisation titled TR-2.

Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius) provided the pulse in Ableton Live and rhythmic bass effects. Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll) added Roland RS-09 synth string soloing and Prophet 600 sound effects while M Scott McConnell's (aka MC2P4) Korg Z1 ambient washes glistened in between.

This was recorded on 04/16/11.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

FFS II Synth Jam 2011 - Troll Returns

***BREAKING NEWS***

Floating Fish Studios is proud to announce Synth Jam 2011 - Troll Returns which is scheduled for tonight (Saturday 04/16/11) at FFS II. After missing the last impromptu Synth Jam in 02/11, Ttam Troll returns to spread some synthetic aggression through audio warfare. Tonight's line up includes Matt Norcross (aka Ttam Troll), M Scott McConnell (aka MC2P4), and Dave Chandler (aka Thee Sub One Genius).

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Friday, March 18, 2011

Yay! turns 9

Thank you, Kim! You rock!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Any Questions? - Sharing The Plasma Pool (Live)


This bootleg video of Any Questions? - Sharing The Plasma Pool is taken from our live performance at the Music Invasion Festival (07/10/04).

We were in rare form on that day. The 9' x 12' video screen was indoctrinating the masses with our visual hallucinations. The strobe lights were pulsing at epileptic levels. The PA system was pushed to the edge of overload. MC2P4 hammered synths and video effects. LTJTHC (Tim Harrell) was thrashing away on electronic percussion and I discarded all vestiges of Matt Norcross and became Ttam Troll.

How was that for hype? Seriously, it was a great show. Our opening salvo and crowd favorite, Sharing The Plasma Pool, always set the tone for our live shows and it did again at this show. It has it all. Gas masks, blood, horrific scenes of violence projected on the video screens, and MC2P4 in his wire costume. It doesn't get much better than that!

P.S. Special thanks to Beth Ballein and Kelly Hoffman for shooting the bootleg Neo-Nazi Cam video footage. Click on the following links to also see our live versions of Lousy Human and Evolution from this same show.

Friday, March 4, 2011

This Mistress - Music For Tents Part 3

We end This Mistress week with another recently discovered photo from the This Mistress performance at Wynn Ruffin's "Music for Tents" birthday party in Summer 1988. This line up included (from L to R) Matt Norcross - Bass, Scott McConnell - Synthesizer, Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson - Guitar, Tim Harrell - Drums (hidden), Ken Chandler - Vocals, and Matt "Scrap Pap" Skirpan - Guitar.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Behind the scenes with This Mistress

It's turning into a This Mistress week on the blog. Here's another behind the scenes photo from the This Mistress gig at Wynn Ruffin's "Music For Tents" birthday party during Summer 1988. Some pictured are (from L to R) Jackey McConnell (pink shirt), Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson (red shirt and two beers), Doug "Drug" Shields (red hat), Robby Wilson (red bandana), Tim Harrell ('fro and mirror shades), and Jim "Aaaarrrrhhhh" Dewey (holding cigarette).

This Mistress and "The Van"

This behind the scenes photo of members from This Mistress was shot at Wynn Ruffin's "Music For Tents" birthday party during Summer 1988. Pictured are (from L to R) Scott McConnell, Matt Norcross (in purple shades mostly hidden behind Matt Skirpan), Matt Skirpan (in "short shorts"), and Ken Chandler.

This happens to also be the only picture of "The Van" that I would occasionally get to borrow from my parents. The Dodge Van 200 customized by Marshall Van Inc was the main form of transportation during the sports playing days of my youth and the scene of many roving "parties" later as I began to drive. Many innocent and not-so-innocent fun times transpired around its whereabouts.

Monday, February 28, 2011

This Mistress at Long Pine Run Dam

Here's the third long lost This Mistress photo which I uncovered while sifting through a stack of negatives. Highlights (or some may say low lights) include Matt Skirpan in Moon Boots, Kevin Wilson wearing pants instead of his cut off jean shorts, and another cheesy mustachioed smile by me. Tim Harrell provides some comic relief while Brad Shaeffer gets "serious" and Scott McConnell wonders "What in the hell have I done? Why did I want to form this band?"

This photo was taken at Long Pine Run Dam in Chambersburg, PA in early 1988 and features the original line up of This Mistress (from L to R) Tim Harrell, Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson, Matt "Scrap Pap" Skirpan, Matt Norcross, Brad Shaeffer, and Scott McConnell.

Friday, February 25, 2011

It's Official

Kim "Living Dead Girl" Scott has joined the FFS family. YAY!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Gang of Four Concert

I enjoyed the evening out with Kim, MC2P4, Steve O, and Deirdre at the Gang of Four concert in Philadelphia at the Theatre of Living Arts tonight.

Though their performance was a little sloppy and Jon King (vocalist) looked like he was going to have a heart attack at any moment, it was a good show and delivered some great aggressive and angular post punk guitar work from Andy Gill.

It was also fun to watch a street brawl break out and the police converge while we were eating in the South Street Diner after the show. However, Kim was a little disappointed. She got to see the handcuffed perps put in the paddywagon but didn't see them get handcuffed. Oh, well... Better luck on your next visit to the City of Brotherly Love.

Remembering Larry Roy Fiber

Larry Roy Fiber quietly passed away today (02/05/11). As a kid, he and his wife welcomed me (the kid from across the street and friend to their sons (Lonny, Danny, and Larry Lee), into their home. I will always be grateful for his (and their) hospitality, friendship, and parenting. I cherish the times that all of us shared together.

For FFS fans, it's also important to note that he is one of the progenitors of the FFS musical movement which is still alive today.

He will be greatly missed.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Remembering Miranda

Today would have been my littlest friend's 19th birthday. Though she plays at Rainbow Bridge now, I know she'd still love to hear me sing her favorite little song...

It's February number two
Happy Birthday from me to you
Happy Birthday Miranda!

P.S. I miss hand-feeding you.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Any Questions? - The FrightWorld Sessions


The FrightWorld Sessions was not a "normal" Any Questions? release. In fact, to this date, it still remains unreleased. Our "normal" harsh industrial sound was replaced by harsh ambient textures which we composed during work on our first feature horror film, FrightWorld, in 2007.

The compositions on the release were taken from our first improvisational sessions for the project and are at times sonically unruly and rough around the edges. However, they captured the essence of the horrific scenes that we were scoring for so we decided to include them.

Eventually, we may release The FrightWorld Sessions and the rest of the unreleased material from these sessions but, for now, enjoy this small sampling from our first film score. This track is entitled FBI Assault and it was used in the film.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Invisible Woman Spotted at IceFest 2011

While attending IceFest 2011 in Chambersburg, PA on 01/29/11 with a friend, I spotted the Invisible Woman. I asked nicely and she was kind enough to pose on the ice throne so I could take her picture. Thank you Invisible Woman!

Friday, January 28, 2011

New Year's 2011 Audio Warfare Sessions

Every New Year's, Any Questions? assembles to create live improvisational audio warfare. This year was no different. Ttam Troll and MC2P4 descended upon the studio at FFS II and recorded a series of performances. A favorite from the sessions is one simply referred to as TR-3, a 5+ minute distorted, analog synth throb which is sure to leave your speakers blown and ears bleeding.


P.S. This photo of Ttam Troll was taken on 05/15/10 at FFS II Synth Jam 2010 - '80s Style.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

On (and in) The Water

Here's another photo that I uncovered from my Christ United Methodist Church Youth Fellowship days in Shippensburg, PA. This photo, taken during Summer 1986, is from a YF retreat to the legendary A-Frame cabin in Central PA.

In this picture, you'll notice that we both have oars. What makes that special to note is, months earlier in frigid water temperatures, we had lost one of them while navigating the same waterway. Our boat capsized when Pete decided to be "cool" and stand up while we were negotiating a turn. Needless to say, we were both a little "frosty" after going into the drink. However, I managed to hold onto my oar and pull the boat to shore. Pete frantically tried to retrieve his oar but to no avail. The only thing that he almost got was hypothermia!

Pictured from L to R: Pete Morgan and Matt Norcross.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Studio Line from L'Oréal Part 2

Vizator bassist/synthesist Matt Norcross performs at PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh, PA (Summer 1989). Another photo from my Studio Line from L'Oréal period.

P.S. Thanks to Mitzi Moyer and her sister for taking this picture.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

No Barfing!

***NEWS FLASH***

"Reliving a childhood trauma averted. News at 11pm."

A dinner of Chef Boyardee Pizza was consumed without any barfing. I hope it was "enjoyable", Kim. LOL!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Gil James and his Sounds of the Decades Part 6

Another costume change for the Gil James and his Sound of the Decades gig in April 1988. I can't believe that I'm posting this!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Integration Sessions 2006


In 2006, we (Any Questions?) continued work on ideas for our new release, tentatively entitled Integration. MC2P4 and I (Ttam Troll) were doing some basic tracking at the old FFS II when this video was shot.

Here you'll see some behind-the-scenes footage of me recording some hi-hat parts and doing some computer mixing. You'll also get to see a quick cameo of Jackey McConnell as the camera moves out of the room for a moment. Dont' blink though, you may miss it!

Click on the following links to see video footage from some of our earlier Integration sessions...

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Friday, January 14, 2011

Technical

While waiting to officially release our Any Questions? - Death CD in early 1996, MC2P4 and I began working on new ideas in the studio. Our sonic arsenal had grown quite extensively leading up to this period and we were anxious to make new music with it. These ideas ranged from very structured pounding rhythm Industrial to very non-structured and improvised ambient music.

Technical falls a little bit in between both of these concepts. Recorded on 02/04/96 (the DAT says so!), this 15+ minute improvisation features a very structured/repetitive rhythm track and chord structure. On top of which we incessantly solo over intertwining synthetic tapestries and sampling overload. We had fun on this day and now you'll get to hear it too!


P.S. This photo of LTJTHC (L) and Ttam Troll (R) was taken in the early 2000s at Floating Fish Studios.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

How Do Rocks Multiply (Solution IV)

Here's another live in the studio track unearthed from the FFS Vaults. This version of How Do Rocks Multiply (Solution IV) was recorded at Horse and Buggy Highway Studios in Shippensburg, PA during the recording sessions for The Secret Society debut release in Summer 1988.

As in yesterday's post, this performance was recorded in between the "serious" recordings for the release and features the line up of M Scott McConnell (Synthesizers), Matt Norcross (Bass), Tim Harrell ("Live" Drum Machine), Ken Chandler (Vocals), and birthday boy, Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson (Guitar).

The occasion for this recording was Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson's birthday. Though none of his guitar work made it onto The Secret Society official release, we celebrated his birthday with a day (and night) music making and partying. Though by listening to this and the other recordings from this day, you may wonder which we did more of but, suffice it to say, we made sure that we did plenty of both.

Without further digression, I present to you the dueling guitar work of Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson.


P.S. The photo was taken at the This Mistress performance in Scotland, PA in the Summer of 1988. Pictured (L to R) are Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson (Guitar), Matt Norcross (Bass), M Scott McConnell (Synthesizers), and Ken Chandler (Vocals).

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Progressions

During the sweltering Summer of 1988, The Secret Society convened at Horse and Buggy Highway Studios in Shippensburg, PA to record songs for their debut release. This rev (Rev 2) of The Secret Society was comprised of members from This Mistress and concentrated on recording original songs written by M Scott McConnell and Matt Norcross.

When we weren't sweating to death (there were no air conditioners in the studio) or doing "serious" recording, we would sometimes roll tape and record some live versions of the songs with whoever happened to be visiting the studio at that time. This recording of Progressions is one such recording. It features M Scott McConnell (Synthesizers), Matt Norcross (Bass), Tim Harrell ("Live" Drum Machine), Ken Chandler (Vocals), and Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson (Guitar). It was recorded direct to a Fostex X-15 cassette 4-Track. It's distorted and sonically poor but still a fun listen. I hope you enjoy it.


P.S. This photo was taken at the This Mistress performance at Wynn Ruffin's Birthday Party in Summer 1988. Pictured (L to R) is the line up featured on the recording. Matt Norcross (Bass), Kevin "Bart the Fart" Wilson (Guitar), M Scott McConnell (Synthesizers), Tim Harrell (Drums), and Ken Chandler (Vocals).

Monday, January 10, 2011

Hmmm...

What have you boys been up to???

P.S. Pictured (L to R) are Matt Norcross and M Scott McConnell. This photo was taken in Jackey Dickey's (later McConnell) Penn St off campus (Shippensburg University) house in Spring 1988.