Movin' on up!

Hey S.I.Q. fans!
(and as of last night) Hey new S.I.Q. fans!
  
   Well if you haven't heard (which would be incredible, because it's all over facebook), we pulled a victory out of the TZMR records battle of the bands last night. What a night. What a show! Battling us were a couple of our friend bands whom we like very much (The Jupiter Tide, Tattermask), so it was definitely a tough one. The craziest thing about it was that we weren't able sell a whole lot of tickets, it being on a Wednesday night, therefore the only way we could have won was by winning over other bands' fans! And judging from the raucous noise that followed our name during the voting, I'd say we did just that.
   Also, because of our music and performance, TZMR has offered us a headlining show IN OHIO. No, your eyes do not decieve you. Ohio. Playing that show will make us a national act, capable of playing out of state. So stoked!
And so is Corey! XD

Oh gosh I bet he'll hate me for that.
Ah who am I kidding he probably doesn't read these things. Love you man.
   If you have visited the band page, you no doubt have seen how we are moving up in the ratings on 106.5 The End's website. We are (as of right now) number 11, almost in the top 10, and Stasis is number 17 for songs. Very exciting. I've heard from a friend that he heard us on the radio the other night as well. I'd say we are well on our way to achieving recognition on a large scale.
   As my finishing thought, I would like to thank all the bands who we had the pleasure of playing with last night. Forgetting for a moment that it was a battle, it was one heck of a show. I look forward to playing with those guys (and gals) again later.
   And thanks to all you out there who have given us support, whether monetary, vocal, or just headbanging at our shows. We love you all.

Cole Millward
S.I.Q. bassist

Sweat, Blood, and Tears

   Hey S.I.Q. fans!
   That would be sweat from walking in the Mint Hill Madness parade (and subsequently running all the freakin' way back to my truck), blood from all the nosebleeds happening to people I know, and tears from just how much my right big toe hurts right now.
   Now that that's out of the way, I wanted to make a comment on our practices and writing sessions. It's very cool when we're writing music to see how each individual member's influences and style comes out in what they write. For example, stuff that I write has a tendency to be very progressive and usually heavy. Phil's stuff is either slow and melancholy or REALLY heavy (he's our resident metal-head). James's stuff varies a lot, but it's mostly progressive with much virtuosity. Corey hasn't written much yet, but his style challenges any conventional formula of songwriting; he really just goes with what feels right to him. Finally, Ashton doesn't write much of the music, but his lyrics are usually very dark and abstract. He has even told me once that he has a difficult time writing "happy" lyrics. Something that will just come with time and much experimentation I suppose.
   Tomorrow I am playing with the Revolution Youth praise band at Mint Hill Madness from 2-2:45 pm. Technically I'm only playing for half of it, because I'll be trading off with another bass player, a friend of mine who I give unofficial instruction to from time to time. But please, come see us play and have a good time.
   BATTLE OF THE BANDS!!! This Wednesday from 6 to 11 pm! There isn't much time left to get your tickets so be sure to grab those ASAP. We need all the support we can get because we are up against several other very talented bands that evening.
   One final bit of news, we are so close to finishing another song, one primarily being written by Corey. We believe you will like it very much whenever you may get to hear us play it.

Cole Millward
S.I.Q. bassist

Now THAT'S a bit discomforting.

Hey S.I.Q. fans!
   This morning we learned of some troubling news. Last night at The Money in Rock Hill, where we have played twice, there was a shooting between a band and some guys who attempted to rob them. Here's a link to the official story: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/09/21/1708053/1-killed-2-injured-in-shooting.html
Now we, as a band, are asking The Money and the people who are running the battle what kind of security measures are being taken. While this story may not have bothered some of us much, I personally was very concerned about this. This battle isn't just another show. It's another step in our musical careers. Our performance may win us the battle or grab the attention of someone with influence in the music industry. Hence, we will still be doing the show. It's just a bit frightening. Hopefully people will like our music enough to not shoot us though.
   On a completely separate note, unwanted guitar feedback is annoying.
   On another completely separate note, I will be playing with the Blair Road United Methodist Church's youth praise band this coming Sunday at Mint Hill Madness. We play from 2-2:45 pm. Come out and worship with us, It'll be a grand ol' time.
   And now I leave you with this parting gift: A random picture of Geddy Lee.

Heh, I used to play a Fender. Can you believe it?

Cole Millward

S.I.Q. bassist

MAN I love Saturdays....

Hey S.I.Q. fans!
    So Saturdays are our official practice days, and though lately we haven't had Phil around a whole lot (college is a pain), we are, as Corey said on our facebook page, making immense amounts of progress. As of now, our set consists of 7 complete songs, and more than 5 in the making. Hah, and I can assure you that within the week, the number of songs in the making will go up a few. We just can't help writing stuff at home as well. Three hours of practice a day is bound to yield some results.
   Speaking of practice, I've been spending some time watching bass instructional videos on youtube to see if I can learn anything. I have to say, John Myung is the man. His instructional video, "Progressive Bass Concepts," is absolutely killer, mostly because it's not just about the technique, but also the concept and theory of the bass guitar. So if you're a bass player with a 6 (or 5) string, this is definitely a video to check out. What the heck, here's a link to the first part: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojlS-eKPE84
And here's a random picture of John Myung, just because I felt like it:

Epic, no? Well it makes me happy.

Again, I am selling two bass effect pedals if anyone is interested. The money goes to a good cause (that is to say, a 6 string for me).

And be sure to buy tickets from one of the band members for our battle of the bands on Wednesday the 29th! Very important that you show up and scream your heads off. That, too, goes to a good cause (that is to say, us becoming the biggest band in the world.)

Thanks for all you have already done for us!

Cole Millward

S.I.Q. bassist

NEW STUFF that I neglected to mention in my last post...Whoops.

Hey S.I.Q. fans!
   It seems that in my last blog entry when I was updating you on cool upcoming stuff for the band, I left out a few things.
   We are working with a video producer to begin work on a music video, which is very exciting. Can anyone guess the song we are making a video for?
   Also we are speaking with a professional photographer who is going to do a free photoshoot for us. Finally we will be able to post an up-to-date profile picture on our facebook and reverbnation pages.
   We are forging a relationship with TZMR records that will hopefully take us somewhere. It is certainly a good connection to have.
  So yes, its a bit shorter than my previous posts, but...we'll just call it an addendum.
  Hope you're as excited as we are!

Cole Millward
S.I.Q. bassist

There is NOTHING like new strings. Except maybe a new instrument.

    As I'm sure some of you know, I am homeschooled. It's worked pretty well for me so far in that I have a more flexible schedule and I can (more or less) learn at my own pace. But something I've recently caught myself doing is writing music in my head DURING SCHOOL. I'll just come up with a riff and expand on it, sometimes coming up with a whole section of an instrumental. Pretty awesome huh? Hah, no. I have to restrain myself from going and playing it out on one of my basses. Very difficult to do.

    Anyway, after work today, I stopped by my local Guitar Center to pick up some new strings for my purple beauty. I haven't changed them since I got the bass. The average bass player is supposed to change them every three months, but really, with as much as I play it every day, I should change them every month-and-a-half. The new strings sound great, very bright, and they work well with my effects.

Pretty cool lookin huh? Sadly, Esp does not make 6-string basses
shape of my other two.

    I have determined that, as much as I love my five-string, I'm just about ready for a six. So I'm saving money and selling old pedals (anyone want to buy one?) in order to get it next year. Very excited about it, but I am waiting patiently.

    So how about some band news? S.I.Q. is playing at The Money in a TZMR Records hosted battle of the bands. From our perspective, it's going to be one tough night. The bands we have to compete against are The Jupiter Tide and Tattermask, along with some others. They have quite a following; heck, even I'm a fan! So please please PLEASE come out to support us. Plus, from the fans' perspective, it's gonna be one freakin' awesome show. You may wish to bring a bucket to contain your melted face once the night is done. Anyways, tickets are $7, you can buy them from me or any of the band members. Also I should remind you, it is on the 29th of this month which is a wednesday. We know that will be a difficult night to work around, but if there's any way you can make it, please try. We have a few new songs that we will be unveiling at that show, so that's extra incentive. Hope to see you there!

Cole Millward

S.I.Q. bassist

For those of you who can't get enough of us already...

Hello S.I.Q. fans!
The fellow members and I were wanting to be able to share with you what goes on in our minds as we write, rehearse, play shows, release albums, and all that jazz, but most of the others are a bit busy at this time in our career (school, day jobs...hey, musicians gotta eat!), so I decided I would take it on.
   So this will sorta kinda be my own personal blog, but most of what I write will pertain to something about either S.I.Q. or whatever musical goings-on that I might be a part of. I'll also use it to update you on whatever events are coming up for us. And who knows, I may just throw in some interesting thoughts that might be on my mind now and then. And feel free to comment! I love hearing back from our friends/fans!

Cole Millward
S.I.Q. bassist

Our pages:
www.reverbnation.com/sinq
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SIQ/270139033114?ref=ts