Bassist Wanted

Comics for musicians

Bassist Wanted

Comics for musicians

Storyline

Writing a Song-a-Day

John and Dan commit to writing a song every day. They finish one, “Electric Wheelchair,” before it becomes song-a-fortnight.

10 stripsFrom the beginning Most popular

#77. We need a new song

November 21, 2005

JOHN: We need a new song. A song that gets on the radio. And people request it at all our shows. And we play it. As the cold opener or as a mid-set adrenaline boost.

JOHN: And then we think, "We're more than just one song, dammit!" And our next album is a total departure, all noodley and instrumental, and critics pan it. And it bombs.

JOHN: That's what we need, man.
DAN: Yeah.

DAN: We could also probably use better amps.
JOHN: Oh yeah, totebags. Yeah, these Rogue 120s suck ass.

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#78. A thousand crappy works of art

November 22, 2005

JOHN: Let's attack it like this: rather than put pressure on ourselves to try and write the perfect song, let's just commit to writing one new song every day.

JOHN: I've heard that any artist has, like, a thousand crappy works of art in them, and the sooner you get those out, you know, the sooner you do the awesome stuff.

DAN: That's cool. So, like, every bad song we write is actually helpful.
JOHN: Yeah, exactly.

DAN: So "Cathartic Target Practice" was like the most helpful song ever.
JOHN: "Cathartic Target Practice" is a misunderstood... look, let's just get started...

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#79. Let’s write about stuff we care about

November 23, 2005

JOHN: OK, song-a-day. Now... the best songs come from the heart. Let's write about stuff we care about.
DAN: OK. Hmm... OK.

DAN: Well, OK, dude, how about like oil and the Middle East? Like it's like all... you know, and... I mean, oil companies, and... it's corruption, man. They're protected by corruption.

JOHN: OK. OK, man, I'll write that down as a potential topic.
DAN: Yeah. Definite potential.

JOHN: How was Syriana, by the way?
DAN: Good.

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#80. I’ll riff, you think of lyrics

November 24, 2005

JOHN: OK, OK, a song-a-day, starting today. So... first song....
DAN: Why don't I just riff? Maybe that'll get you thinking of lyrics.

JOHN: OK, sure.
DAN: So... how about... like....

JOHN: OK. Dan, this... this just sounds like "China Girl".
DAN: Hey! It is "China Girl"! I didn't know I could play that! Cool!

JOHN: Damn it, Dan! Focus! Focus, man!
DAN: OK, but hey: with this, "El Scorcho", and "Little Indian Princess"... we could totally do like an "Asian Subcontinent" medley.

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#81. First words that come to mind

November 25, 2005

JOHN: OK, come on, song-a-day. We're overthinking this. Look, just give me a word, and I'll say the first few words that come to mind. Those'll be the lyrics.

DAN: OK... "vegetable".

JOHN: Um... all right... "staring blankly at the wall... my mind is gone... I drool, I fall... here or there... I'm always... in... in my wheelchair."

JOHN: Hmm. Pretty God damn touching actually.
DAN: Totally. A song about a disabled dude. We could, like, win an Oscar, John.

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