I have moved these journal entries of the Sledge Headquarters News to this page to allow more space for future entries on the current page and reduce clutter as well. Here are all the entires from May 10th, 1996 to December 19th, 1996.
May 10th, 1996
Today, I set up the Sledge Headquarters Homepage to bring Sledge to a larger
audience group. Hoping to setup downloadable sounds and pictures soon.
May 17th, 1996
Added downloadable pictures and sound (just one) to the page. Also
began to keep Guestbook, looking forward to feedback from visitors.
June 3rd, 1996
Updated data to include auxillary members and added more pictures,
as well as two new pages, the lyrics page (with lyrics to several of our
songs) and the audio page (devoted to sound samples).
June 5th, 1996
Worked on some new songs today. Hopefully I'll be able to add more
sound samples to the page (but I'm having problems with file sizes!) I'd
also like to take this oppurtunity to thank everyone who has taken time to
write us (especially those of you with compliments!).
June 12th, 1996
Reduced the size of the "Solo" sound sample to allow for the room of
new photos and information. New songs are coming along nicely. Started to
spend some more time again on our side project bands (more news on them later!).
June 19th, 1996
Went on road trip to Florida, planning to visit our friend Kris Gruda
(formerly of the band 3 Bean Soup) and his new band; possibly playing some
gigs while we're there. See ya when we get back!
July 1st, 1996
Returned from Florida (no real news to report other than jamming and
hanging out...wasted too much time to concentrate on anything real serious).
Began planning a summer festival with some other local bands. No details as of yet.
Also talked to Joe Mikelonis, former Obsidian bassist, about participating in some
sort of side project.
July 3rd, 1996
Got together today with Mike Pounds, former guitarist of Obsidian, to work
on laying down some guitar trax on a couple songs. Things went well. Still hoping
to put some more downloadable sounds soon.
July 7th, 1996
Worked on new songs today. Also busy on the 'Net as well--added forms to the
site's main page (I'd really appreciate anyone's response...) and also revised
some images and information. In addition, I also changed the Guestbook directory,
erasing all entries. The new version processes a lot faster and makes it much more
accessible to visitors. Plan to work harder this week, hopefully.
July 15th, 1996
Been working ad nauseum this last week on tightening our sound and engraving
into stone a specific set list for the "not-too-distant" future. I apologize to the multitude
of you who have responded to us. (thanks a lot, guys... and girls =) ) Too much has been
happening for me to contribute too much time to online. Yes, I'm guilty of computer neglect!
BUT, I should have time this week to respond to all the mail I've received and hopefully
update the site modestly.
July 27th, 1996
I apologize for being even more guilty of neglect these last two weeks, but as you North-Easterners know, we were devestated by extreme thunderstorms, tornados, and a great deal of flooding. Luckily our equipment wasn't damaged much and we should be out of danger within the next few days. Our modem, on the other hand, was severely damaged by lightning and had to be fixed; which sounds easy, but...well, I won't get into details, but we had a helluva time. Anyway, the band hasn't done much, besides tackling a cover of "Suck" by Pigface (it was written by Trent Reznor, so you NIN fans may recognize it from the hidden track on Broken) as well as work on some new material. I really hope to add some new sounds soon, so keep an eye out for that. Back to the flooding for moment, we are coordinating a benefit concert for flood victims and their families, so if you're in the area watch for bulletins. That's about it for now, but (considering I get rid of all the bugs) I should do some work on the website soon.
August 3, 1996
Got enough time to re-vamp the headquarters a little. I began to think that it was probably taking
a lot of visitors a long time while waiting for the main page to load. To solve this problem, I removed
the images (well, some) from the homepage and created an Image Gallery on a different page to help speed along the
loading process. I hope that it is a noticeable difference. More pix to come soon!
I'd also like to thank everyone (again) for such postive feedback. We weren't exactly sure we were going to receive
any response and a positive response was even more surprising. So, thanks everyone! No word on the so-called
"album" (more like DIY tapes!) yet. But, we are gathering up more material all the time. Yesterday we worked on Lead
Into Gold's (an Al Jourgenson band) Faster than Light, but we don't have all the kinks out yet. Well, that's all for
now!
August 5,1996
I fixed the Image Gallery and added a few new pics. I also added the searh engine for the Poll Star
Tour Database. It comes in handy when you're looking for a good show to go to in the near future, although
sometimes it's not that thorough. Bad news, however, regarding the Flood Benefit I'd mentioned a week ago:
It is officially canceled. We were told not to pursue the idea because certain town officials were said to
be uncooperative with such an idea and that it might take five or six months to get a "yay" or "nay" on the
proposal; which kind of defeats the whole purpose of the spontaneous benefit concert. Oh well, it's the thought
that counts--to be cliche'. That's all for now.
August 6,1996
I added some new lyrics from the songs that we've recently worked on.
August 13,1996
It's been a rough week for Sledge... trivial arguments and disagreements have been causing twice the necessary
attention they deserve. It is no particular individual or topic, but rather a problem with the band as a whole. Don't worry,
it's nothing earth-shattering--just a squabble-- but it has slowed productivity. Also, in a side note: I'd like to
personally apologize to the guys in Noise Buffet for any inconvenience or comments that were interpretted to be
offensive. I really don't want you guys to become agitated with us (we already have more unsolicited angst than we can
handle right now!) To close the subject, I will tell you that we have decided to take things a little slower for now and have
agreed to "lay off" of certain songs that seem to provoke arguments for the time being. Other than that, not too much to tell
you. Oh, I am working on more sound samples.
August 15,1996
Things have looked up for Sledge this week, after a brief hiatus. We have arranged a festival of sorts with the band Noise
Buffet on the 24th. Also, we have "touched up" some old tunes and added a new one or two. Tensions have been cooled and Jeff even
got another job! Wow! Other than that, not much to say.
August 16th,1996
Well, it's finally official... Ryan and Mike have been deemed official members of the Sledge "troop". (But you all
knew it was coming, didn't you?)
August 17,1996
I'm taking the day off...it's my birthday.
September 6,1996
Wow, it's been a while since I've worked on the site. And still the hits keep going up...whoever it is that keeps dropping in, thank
you, thank you, thank you! (and please don't stop!!) As a reward I think I'll finally add those sound samples I've been promising for the
last few...well, weeks! Soon...I promise! The reason, if you were wondering, for our lapse in website maintenance is that Jeff started to
work some different hours (basically 7AM-3PM), Mike has been busy, and Ryan and I both started back to school recently. As a result, practice
time, as well as a lot of other stuff, has been postponed for the time being. We took the hiatus to re-organize our practice room and hope
to get back on the ball on Monday (09/09/1996)...but don't hold me to it! =)
September 10,1996
Our ship has come in! Our favorable (and mighty!) friends and sponsors at Geocities have decreed that the Sledge Headquarters Website
is now a featured part of the SunsetStrip!! (maybe that's why you're reading this now!) Anyway, for those of you who aren't familiar
with the Geocities Homesteading Program, that means that in addition to being featured on the main page of the SunsetStrip "neighborhood,"
we were also granted a generous amount of FTP memory. This will greatly please those of you who are regular visitors to the site, because it will finally allow
me enough space to add those now "infamous" audio clips. I am especially pleased with this, because I kind of feel out of place running a website for our
band (or any band for that matter) where there are no sounds to listen to. After all, the idea of a band is to make music to be heard by people. The fact
of the matter is that I could praise and discuss my band endlessly on the internet, but without a chance for anyone to actually hear my band, I might as well
be making it all up as I go. Am I making any sense? Probably not. I'll just say that I will feel better once I put our music on display; the sooner the better (of
course, I've been saying that for a while, haven't I, guys? =) ) Thank-you, Geocities, thank you!
September 24,1996
Oh, man am I sorry guys! I had not planned on being away from the computer for so long, especially after our site has finally started to take some direction and
grow roots. (Boy, I sound pathetic, apologizing all the time!) Anyway, (to make it up to you) I've just concluded uploading the second sound sample in both a short and long version
of the song "Indigo Indy." It was a song we completed a while ago and kind of forgot about, but it was the closest and easiest song to put on display. The long version
would take a millenium to download, so I don't really expect anyone to download it and it will probably become obsolete in the near future. The short version has just a tad of Jeff's vocals (which he probably won't be
too happy about!)and sounds kind of distorted (which we didn't intend, unless all of you think it sounds cool!) and isn't really that clear. I'll probably edit it whenever
I get time (...promises, promises...) Images are in the works as well (Please, please, please tell me what you like about our site, sound, etc...I need to know so I can take
proper action). Oh, and I'd like to extend a huge thank-you to everyone at Geocities, the feature brought more attention than we could ever of hoped for...but to say that, I also must thank every
single one of you for even bothering to check the place out, so...THANKS EVERYONE!
October 2nd,1996
Well, Sledge is finally back on track and returning to status quo this week. Conflicts in schedules have been cutting down on our band time (and online time), because Jeff and Mike need to work and Ryan and I
need to get to school. Priorities first, you know. Anyhow, we are now in the process of planning our third annual local alternative band festival, called "Hallowpalooza" (a little play on words courtesy of
Mr. Farrell!). It has been received well the previous years and has steadily grown...hopefully the trend will continue this year! The line-up tenatively includes Noise Buffet and Starch, as well as us. If you are
in a band in the Punxsutawney area (and just happen to be reading this), feel free to write me and I'll see what we can do...we're always on the look-out for bands. More information will be posted as it is validated. I'd like to
also quickly thank Kochi, who wrote to me with some ideas on improving the sound samples...I'm trying some things right now and we'll see what happens. Bye!
October 18th,1996
Okay, I'd like to once more commend everyone on the response that I have been receiving (we really appreciate it!) and apologize for my absence from the electronic world. I'm sorry, but I've been very busy lately, what
with organizing the annual "Hallowpalooza" event and all. (I've been told that this a really lame name--and I agree, but this being the third year and after past success, I don't really want to change the name...it started as a joke and just kinda
grew from there, that's all I can tell you) Anyway, the date, time, place, and bands are now confirmed after many stressful weeks of planning. It should be a blast; we're expanding this year to offer people more than just the chance to hear bands and offer
them more entertainment for their buck. If you're passing by Punxsy, I'm sure you'll see one of the many posters we've littered the town with. I am planning to post some of the images I've come up with for the gig sometime "soon". Another contributing factor
to my absence is the fact that Sledge is suffering from a lack in morale and a conflict of interests, especially between Jeff and myself. Everything gets worked out eventually, but there have been some moments where I believed that it would be the end
of the band. Hopefully after all the planning is over with, we can get back to business as usual--it's just too stressful. (If you know what Punxsy's like, you know what I mean... the only place for bands to play is 21+ bars and the only only place that kids
under 21 have to hang out are parking lots. It's really ridiculous and the real shame is that none of the people (the so-called "pillars" of our community) that can make changes do nothing to solve this problem. Even staging an event like the one we are having
is extremely difficult. I don't know, the whole scenario is ridiculous...I'm almost ready to quit trying...but back to what I was saying about band morale: we've come up with a scale that lists what we feel are the seven prime ingredients to a band. You can see
this list at The 7 P's of Practice Page. Well, that's all for now. C-ya.
P.S. To: "Kinkkuman" Sorry, but we probably got thrown into that genre for lack of a better description... There should be some pretty cool sites out there though.
October 21st,1996
Well, I goofed, but the The 7 P's of Practice Page is now operational. Turmoil is amiss amongst the ranks of Sledge, largely caused by the planning of "Hallowpalooza" which is now basically under wraps. I can't wait until
the day after it's over... I think I'll sleep the whole day! I believe the new pictures are now in place at Sledge Image Gallery. Take notice of the fact that the band pictures now include Ryan and Mike! What else? Oh, we wrote a new tune
entitled "Clear Cut" that's heavily influenced by Filter, which is surprising considering that Mike doesn't really listen to them and he wrote pretty much the entire song. That's today's little tidbit and that is all for now.
November 25th,1996
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Don't overdo it, being an important concept during these next few days. Speaking of which, Sledge seems to have overdone it. The turnout for Hallowpalooza was very encouraging, although it didn't exceed the previous year's
profit or attendence. It was a really great time, though and I think everyone (bands especially) enjoyed the evening's festivities. Our set wasn't too bad, although we had some difficulty with the mixing of our sound because of the highly un-traditional method that we use to
plug everything in (most sound-people aren't used to something other than the 2 mics, 2 guitars, and drum set-up). Feedback filled our set and we had a few problems with hearing ourselves during certain songs, but the crowd seemed to be pretty sympathetic and patient. It really
helped to boost our publicity and if you were around, you might have picked up a sampler that included basically two original songs from each band. The two we submitted were "Clear Cut" (soon to be sampled, hopefully) and "Guiltcrash". The tapes sold out, but we are in the process
of producing some more, so if anyone is interested in purchasing the tapes, let me know sometime soon. Anyway, back to my theme, after the big event Sledge hasn't practiced at all. The reasons are varied and are numerous. Basically after everyone found free time, took care of
priorities, and kicked any sort of illness that they might have had there hasn't really been a whole lot of time for the band. (After all, we're not exactly making a living at this!) In addition, Jeff recently moved into a new apartment and doesn't have a phone installed yet, so as
you can imagine, communication with him is difficult. I am determined to get everyone back on track by the end of Thanksgiving break, so I guess I'll talk to you then. Bye!
December 13th,1996
Took my final exam today, Hello Xmas Break!
December 19th,1996
Well, I'd say that it seems Sledge is in a state of turmoil, but to tell you the truth it hasn't even been that exciting. After several attempts of reaching Jeff ending in futility, I feel that maybe there isn't a band anymore. Of course, I haven't officially heard
this from anyone (namely Jeff), although there was a rumor circulating that the Hallowpalooza gig would be our last. Then again, my brother heard at school that we were opening up for the Violent Femmes when they came to town a few weeks back!! Anyone with the vaguest familiarity
to our band and our sound would not have made that mistake; and if something like that can become a believable rumor, then there may still be hope for Sledge. Even if this incarnation of Sledge has passed on, I am fairly sure that it will be re-assembled within a year. And if that doesn't
work out, I have been planning a few side projects (that may turn into full-time projects!) that may or may not include Jeff based on the situation. I have talked to Whitney Waite and she seems enthuasiastic about doing something more frequently and with her talents on the keys, anything
we did would likely be pretty cool. I have always wanted to try to compose
some techno-trance-dance tunes (yet another bad choice for a band in this area, of course, because it has nothing to do with AC/DC or Garth Brooks!)This project would also likely include my brother, Ryan, who has recently become infatuated by the Chemical Brothers' "Setting Sun." So, that's one option and the
other is the formation of an alternative/college-rock band along with Matt Miller of Noise Buffet, who has not and will not leave his band for this project. More info on that later. Keep your fingers crossed and I'll let you know what's up as soon as I do. BYE!
January 1st, 1997
Working under the assumption that we are still a band, I've begun to work on several new songs, including a few dance tunes like I have talked about doing. As far as side-projects, nothing concrete has occurred yet. I had palnned on doing something with Matt Miller over Xmas break, but tomorrow
he returns to school, so... anyway, that's all I have to say for now. I'm still trying to reach Jeff, which is as easy as capturing a sasquatch...I hear rumors of sightings, but I just can't seem to track him down. Finally, I'd like to once more thank everyone for their continued support. Bye
August 5th, 1997
Well, it's been a long time since I... (you know the rest)
Anyway, I decided to issue a very very very belated news posting
concerning the status of SLeDGE. I'm afraid that it has run its
course for now and (although it may one day return)will unlikely
have a great deal of activity in the near future. The reason for
this is not so much a result of a communication breakdown with
Jeff & Mike, but rather a technical fault.... My drum machine
suffered a massive aneurysm and refuses to function. I still have
all the music saved (those of you familiar with MIDI will
understand this), but because of the precise settings on my
equipment, it is not likely that I could easily re-establish our
material with any accuracy. After this incident, I nearly
suffered a breakdown myself, as I saw that all my music and time
was essentially gone.
Really, after this, I have no real wish to
immediately return to the world of electronica, although it
continues to thrive, grow, and expand into(all?)other realms of
music. (hey, if even Motley Crue's started using "industrial" sounds,
you know there really must be something there! !) So, I have returned
to real drums for the first time in three years. It's still
taking some re-adjusting, but I guess it's kinda like riding a
bike. I have practiced (as said, organically) with Jeff and Mike,
but no longstanding plans have been made.
In other news, Ryan and I have formed another band (as mentioned so many months ago)
to play college geek-rock and ("all the rage")ska-laden material
with our friends Erik Somerville (bass), Kirk Gaston
(saxophone), and hopefully a few others soon to join the ranks.
I don't feel that we're ready to stake our claims on the "Web"
just yet, but I will update this site periodically to keep
everyone informed.
I thank you all for your great interest and
enthuasiastic responses in our little insignificant attempt to
make a slight ripple in the great ocean of talent that is
today's music scene. I almost fell over when I saw that we made
the "over 1000 hits" goal that we had set for ourselves when we
started (May '96), a goal which we had considered to be very
unlikely. Thank you everyone, you have my sincerest gratitude
(especially all the local bands that helped us get started and
kept us going: Noise Buffet, Starch, Three Bean
Soup,Fire & Ice, Alternate Root, and others)
For a (more) complete list of thank-you's, see our
Thanks Page.
Any e-mail responses you would like to send (for any reason) would be welcomed.
102350.1757@compuserve.com
P. S. We have yet to decide on a name for the new band. We have some ideas (which I may post later), but we are definitely open to suggestions. Keep in mind our style of music, please.
copyright © 1996 David Kauffman: 102350.1757@compuserve.com
Return to SLeDGE HeadQuarters v. 01 OR SLeDGE HeadQuarters v. 02 (frames)
Go to Geocities Sunset Strip
Sledge News Page.