New Track: Satirical Magazine Readings

Well the new year is here, I’m finally feeling more myself, and certainly want to be more creative this year.

The above track titled ‘Satirical Magazine Readings’ I wrote the music to, and decided to satirically read random magazine ‘snippets’. It’s all a load of fun really, and was certainly a lot of fun to make. A homage to Crispin Glover, who wrote ‘selected readings from rat catching’. If he ever see’s this, I’ll be delighted haha.

Written and recorded in a week, let me know if you get the crossword words ;-)

It’s been nice driving the car around, and getting back into routine. I’m looking forward to making some more tracks, perhaps some more in this vein, before writing some songs- who knows.

So many things, such little time

So much has happened in the last couple of months. The main one being my parents got married after 40 odd years together - congrats!

I have Sold 3 guitars - Fender reissue ‘62 strat (fiest red), Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro, & my Ibanez AZ2402L. All lovely guitars, all play well and sound great. The reason for this is I had to destroy my old car - thanks to the Mayor of london- and needed to have some funds towards a new car. A long story un-to itself - more on that in the coming weeks.

I went to Cardiff, but was ill for the entire week and so did not do anything but watch all of the Mandalorean and the bulk of the Orville - both great shows.

I’ve also been missing playing in my old band milarkey (vid attached - see also instagram). Although I have spent times with musicians in the last few months, we have not been very good at getting together in one room and just clicking. I think sometimes men are terrible at communication! haha. Anywho, I’ll check in soon.

-Sly.

Pushing on through 10.08.23

So the last two weeks has flown by. With some Frustrating and low times, however there has also been some fun and positives happen. Namely, playing a decent amount of guitar, and I have a video I am really happy with.

So I managed to work around the issue I was having with editing, although it is not ideal I managed to finish the video. I have a couple more I need to edit for the future, and I am hoping not to run into any issues with them.

I have been listening to a lot of John Frusciante interviews, and his podcasts with producer Rick Ruben. I always find these sort of things rather inspirational, hence the upcoming videos featuring a Fiesta Red ‘61 strat haha.

The weather has been very British the last two weeks, but today looks like it is going to be nice. I need to record a long dialogue to autocue either today or tomorrow (preferably today! I am writing this as I am enjoying a cold coffee). This will be a larger video/ project, and something that is fairly close to my heart.

The above video is me recording for the Laney Foundry video, and I was interrupted. I was under bright lighting recording and a figure/ face emerged from the dark hallway and made me jump - that is my genuine reaction in the video haha. Enjoy!

I have had a friend contact me about a proposition - I’m guessing a musical one. I am missing playing in a band, and the jam band I was a part of seems to dissipated into nothing. I really want to get back into recording tracks, but I have found the issues I am having editing transpose to recording audio as well, as my macbook pro is just too old now to handle the latest software updates. Still, maybe I need to invest into a more modern macbook.

Shoot You Sir is still going fairly strong. I am out of games to review at this point, but hopefully can remedy this in the near future. I am focused on guitar and guitar videos at the moment, which is where any spare cash I have is going (and that’s very little!). I have some equipment up for sale, hopefully it will sell in the next month or so.

Onwards and upwards. Have a good one!

New Vid recording sessions starting

A quick audio check for the upcoming video recording sessions. I need to add low/ hi pass filter, and adjust the EQ, but the basic setup is working.

Whilst I am away, I want to work on making a number of videos for my youtube channel. Watch this space for some more regular updates.

I’m really enjoying the Ernie Ball Musicman Axis Super Sport, despite having to get a re-fret, it is probably one of the main gutiars I have gelled with in the last 5 years. I’m looking forward to having it in more videos, other than instagram that is!

New guitar project on the go

So I am selling off a large amount of gear, and I have decided to have a custom guitar built very slowly over time. It has been a long time since I have had a specific guitar project, and this is something I am looking forward to starting. Doing it over time keeps the costs low and spread over time. It will also allow me to sell equipment to fund it over time.

Starting out with the above image, which is of a Warmoth Velocity body. Being left handed, it is quite difficult to find guitars that aren’t a very basic plain colour or a natural finish. So it is nice to start with something rather pretty.

I plan to contact feline guitars to see if they would build a neck for it, and obviously put all the parts together once it is completed.

I also keep changing my mind around what type of pickups and bridge/ trem to choose. But I am leaning towards a Gotoh trem, as I have had this on two guitars and it works really well.

Pickups wise, I am enjoying the DiMzario custom in the neck of my Musicman. So I think the closest Equivalent to this is the Air Norton. So the neck pup is pretty much down. Struggling to find a bridge pup I want, so watch this space to watch the project evolve over time!

Seymour Duncan '59 Custom in the Neck Position

I made this video because there is not much on the internet in regard to sound clips or videos/ demos of this pickup in the neck position. There’s a lot of speculation, but here it is in the Charvel 24DK Pro. There’s an SH5 in the bridge for context.

I’m going to try and make some videos where there is not a lot out there around what is being covered or demo’d - watch this space.

Holiday Fun & New Pedalboard

So we are now in September, and August was a busy month. It included another lovely trip up north, which involved friends, views, trips, and guitar fun.

I visited the town of Ripley for the first time, and went to Ripley castle, as well as visiting Mother Shiptons Cave.

I went with Graham (Shoot You Sir) pedal and guitar shopping - pedal shopping for me, guitar shopping for Graham. I ended up trading in a couple of pedals and picking up a DryBell Uni-Vibe and the Sinvertek No.5 distortion. I added these to the Pedaltrain Metro Max I picked up in early August, and was playing through the Laney Mini Stack - a great little travel companion.

I’m slowly building a pedalboard, and have been playing a lot of guitar lately. I’m currently looking to join a band as I miss playing with other people.

Brighton 16.07.22

So many issues with the car at the moment. A trip to Brighton today was on a cards - let’s ignore the fact I went to Brighton last Saturday as well.

I visited Mudpie Music in Brighton, and picked up a Strymon timeline! I traded in a Boss RC-3 I picked up last week (also from Mudpie), when I traded in my Sigma TM-12e.

I also managed to replace my old Macbook I spilled beer on. So it’s an expensive month!

Going away up north next month, and I’m looking forward to getting away everything down south!

Shoot You Sir Podcast Featuring Shmuptopia

So after reviewing Dace’s book ‘Shmup ascension’, we got in contact via Twitter, where Graham & I invited him to do a podcast with us. The above video is the result. Please check it out and let us know what you think!

The podbean link is here:

Pod Bean Podcast Link click Here

In a corner of the internet far far away...

It has been a rather busy few weeks, and rather productive as well. Apart from being ill for a week in late March, I have managed to continue with several projects. Firstly, guitar has been front and centre. This is partly due to the isolation cabinet, and trying out different sounds to record with- certainly enjoying the Octafuzz ontop of the Laney IRT’s distortion channel. The RHCP album Unlimited love released in April, and I ordered the vinyl and have been enjoying it. There are some great guitar sounds on there, and the bass sounds brilliant as well. I’ll let you know what I think about the songs down the line.

 Shoot You Sir recorded a podcast with Dace Anaxyrus from Shmuptopia. It was great to meet dace, albeit remotely. We had been messaging back and forth on twitter after I reviewed his book Shmup ascension. Both Graham and I had previously talked about getting other guests on for podcasts, and it made sense, and Dace was up for it.

 So we recorded the podcast which is out on Tuesday 12th April. I look forward to seeing what people think, and I’m totally up for doing more. I also 1CC’d Espgaluda II (Switch), which I did whilst only wearing a towel and waiting for a demo game to download. Although it was only novice mode, I was quite chuffed as I only put it on out of blue because I hadn’t played it for the longest time.

 These recent experiences have re-kindled my love for SHMUPs, and I look forward to playing and reviewing more in the near future. I have a trip booked in to go up north, and will visit SYS creator Graham whilst up there. I’m sure we’ll get a bit of gaming in! Fingers crossed the weather is good, as I’d like to get some walking in as well.

Blast From The past 06.02.22

Click This Link for youtube: Olympus 35RD Camden 2018

^^ it was nearly 4 years that we started out making videos together, and this early street photowalk transformed from this shaking footage into a better produced beast further down the line.

It has gotten me thinking about how much I miss doing street photography, and messing around with film cameras. Every weekend i used to go up to London to do street photography, and during the week I would be itching to get out on the streets, camera in hand.

These days I just remember the times fondly, but should really get off my arse and start doing it again! I would also love to make videos about vintage cameras, and have seen how much the price has increased since I last shot a roll and looked on ebay for cameras.

I am still amazed I get contacted so often in regard to vintage Olympus cameras and about street photography, and I love talking about the subject with people.

Why am I still typing?! I promise to get out there and capture some moments soon…

Sly.

08.11.21 This Week!

So this weekend has been about spending time with family. It is the 3rd anniversary of the passing of my sister, something I am still coming to terms with. I had a great time with my nephews & nieces, and spent some quality time with my mum. I even managed to get some Christmas presents ordered!

The car needed a service, so that was something that was done today, on my day off - very boring. It has been a rather busy week on all fronts.

In terms of gaming, There are a load of SHMUPs coming out soon I am looking forward to reviewing for shoot You Sir, especially as we are moving towards the Christmas time releases. We are trying to line up some podcast guests, let’s see if they are interested!

As a lot of people that follow me are aware, I’m a massive Gundam Fan, but have been rather disappointed in recent Gundam based game releases in recent years. Randomly Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy has been a lot of fun. As the name suggests, it is GBO gameplay, but with a more offline story focus. I skip a lot of the talking, but the actual mission prep and missions - along with the gameplay- is a lot of fun. It is based in C.E.0079 and you are basically playing as a team of Zaku pilots performing guerrilla warfare against the federation - go zion? erm… It’s always fun playing as a Zaku.

On top of this the KOTOR remake is due out on Switch on the 11th, which was a great game back on the Xbox, and I briefly played it when living in Australia on a Kindle HD of all things.

Looking forward to coming month & Christmas!

This Week 26.06.21

So on Tuesday 22.06.21 I went up to Old Trafford with my dad to watch Manchester United vs Westy Spam in the Carabao cup. United played some great attacking football at various points through the match, but lost to an early tap in from the Spambots. I very much enjoyed the experience, although the ‘hotel’ we stayed in was a bit grim. On Wednesday, my dad went to pick up an amp from Doncaster, and the bloke he got an amp from gave me a programme from the 1965/66 F.A. Cup 4th round between United and Rotherham. It features rather cool information, adds, and the team line-ups, which include: Best, Law, Charlton, Crerand, & Stiles - amongst others. A rater cool get! See below.

After a long drive up and a long drive back, I had to go back to work the next day. But overall a very enjoyable experience.

Other than that, I have been recording a track for the intro for What A Load Of Dribble podcast. I have also created a trailer for the channel, see below! On top of this, i have been playing the Martin a lot this week, and some bass - oh and keys for the recording. Much fun!

In terms of games, I have not had a lot of time to play much, but there are a few games coming out I am interested in, especially Crisis Wing! - watch this space. There’s a few Cotton games coming out on Switch I am looking forward to!

FA Cup 1965/66 United Review:

This Week 18.09.21

So I have really been enjoying playing the Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro, it’s a lovely guitar. It does however need a setup. The story behind it is, I traded my Gibson SG standard in at Jordan guitars, and bought the Berlin Pro. Now, the guitar itself needs some work, it is in dire need of a setup and the intonation is out. It just won’t stay in tune. This is not a slight against the shop, as a left handed guitar play it is rare that you get a guitar 100% how you want it, and certainly not setup very well. Luckily, Feline Guitars in Croydon are very good with left handed guitars, so I will have to pay extra money to get it sorted.

I have also been playing acoustic a lot, and building up the strength in my fingers again. The downside to all of this is looking at guitar pedals. It could be worse, camera lenses are a lot more expensive!

I have also been playing some Shoot Em Ups, most specifically ESPgaluda II on the Switch still. There are a large number of SHMUPs coming out that look great. The article I wrote for Shoot you Sir on the DoDonPachi series is out, and I would love you to take a look at it - in issue 11: https://www.slyelessar.com/shoot-you-sir

What a Load Of Dribble has been a lot of fun to make recently, and the latest episode is a laugh! Lot’s of references to the Wankdorf Stadium - Check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xu1dCasuzo&t=902s&ab_channel=WhataLoadofDribblePodcast

On the 22nd and 23rd I will be going up to Manchester andOld Trafford to watch Manchester United Vs West Ham in the Carabao Cup! REALLY looking forward to this. - Watch this space!

Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro

This Week 15.08.21

Well well well… what a very busy and productive week it has been! I have been trying to organise the next Shoot You Sir podcast, with both Graham and the UK Neo Geo Collector Frazer. I am just awaiting on reply to that, as I know it will be an interesting video to those that are watching and following.

I have been playing a lot of SHMUPs in my spare time, and have reviewed Star Hunter DX and Risk System and e-mailed these to Graham for future Shoot You Sir Issues. I have also played more Mushihimesama, and a lot of the Hamster ports of Neo Geo games: Specifically Namm ‘75 (one of Frazer’s favourites), Blazing Star, and baseball stars 2!

I have also met up with my friend Boysan - from Boysie’s Brix and bits youtube channel, and we are thinking about doing a football podcast. The above is just a silly mock up, we don’t have a name for it yet haha, but it is something we are looking to do once a week, looking at some of the matches we enjoyed and focusing on Chelsea & United most likely. Watch this space!

I have also been playing a lot of guitar and gotten back to somewhat of a fairly competent level. I have mostly been playing acoustic, and just enjoying guitar, the sun, and trying to keep busy.

What have you been playing?

Namm ‘75 on Neo Geo, Blazing star, Star hunter Dx, Risk System, & Blazing Star

This Week 08.08.21

The last few days have been busy but fun, which is a welcome change. I have been getting out more, and although I have been carefully masking up and social distancing, it has been nice visiting coffee cafes and having a pub meal.

I have managed to write quite a lot of news and review articles for Shoot You Sir, and we have received some reader reviews, which Graham is organising. It is nice to have inspiration for writing and playing more again, and i have a rekindled love for the Switch AKA the SHMUP beast.

Star Hunter DX has occupied my gaming time recently, a retro looking game with modern mechanics, the game poses a bit of a challenge. It also has some in built incentives. But you can read more about these in a future Shoot You Sir issue! I have also played a little bit of EDF 2 on Switch.

I have ordered DonPachi on PS, so I should be able to complete my article on the DoDonPachi series. I have also started cataloging SHMUPs released in 2021 in order to put together a brief article at the end of the year ‘SHMUPS of the year’.

I have been playing guitar a lot more again, and have been enjoying the Martin 00-15 - as beautiful guitar indeed.

I’m hoping to get some more reviews written over the next week or so, and will be looking at putting my CAVE shmups on the Xbox 360 on the bay.

What I have been playing

Star Hunter Dx, razion EX, EDF 2