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