Discography

Downloadable songs

copies still available

 music sampler

Pretty Girls

Rise:  

America's Synthpop Underground

MSO was formed by TDT and Q in the late 80's.  We were both really impressed with what a lot of the synth bands were doing at the time, as well as some of the older punk groups that were just winding down about then.  We started in a small 10x10 storage unit and then moved to a larger one that was 10x20 when we got two more guys to do stuff with us.  After the first month of rent came up though, the other two bailed.  At the time we called the project Hexadecimal 30.  Something to do with hex computer code and a drum machine that gave us bad data when we tried to retrieve a song one day.

Since we couldn't afford our new fat cat storage unit (and because they kicked us out), we found a room to rent for use as a studio in an apartment on a third floor.  The benefits of the pool and hot tub were used on a very regular basis.  We knew we needed to expand the line up so TDT contacted his old punk buddy, Russ.  We didn't have room for the drums though so we made him practice in the closet.  It was a nice place with a cozy little atmosphere.

Neither TDT or I could sing well so we tried out several different vocalists.   We oringally wanted a female singer, but the ones we tried never really worked out.  While shopping for new gear we ran into an ad for a singer with (gasp!) a Depeche Mode influence.  When we went to meet Donovan, he mentioned his good friend Roman.  When Donovan came for the audition, he brought Roman with him.  After some deliberation about taking the line up to five members from three, we decided to let them in.  Truth be told, Donovan was a great singer but Roman was just incredible.   They were a powerful addition because they had worked together in the past.  We would later find out that Roman was also a very good vocalist.  There is some disagreement in the MSO camp which one of them was a better vocalist.  Both had their strong points and weak ones, but in the end were both  fun to work with.    Donovan was also responsible for introducing the band to Dave Fahy who became one of our biggest supporters and years later an important co-writer with Q on several projects.

Some time went by in the apartment but room was running out with five of us so we headed out to find another storage unit.  This was a very tough ordeal until we finally ran across a property manager who actually talked to us about the situation.  He had two problems with letting a band in.  The first was "bands drink and will trash the place," no problem there because we under the drinking age (heh!).  The second  problem was our drummer would be too loud.   So, one of us went to the car and got the drum machine out and said. "this is our drummer."  He let us in and we stayed there a very long time.  In hindsight, the place really sucked.  No air, no heat, and well, it was a storage unit.  But the good times we had making music were very cool.

The song writing process for MSO was very unusual for a band.  Where a band normally jams out a tune after coming up with a simple rift, we took things a little differently.  Roman, TDT, and myself were all capable of writing complete songs on our own.  So we did.  A lot.  We would then get together and vote on what we would work on to finish and play live.  TDT and Roman got most of the spotlight, which was fine for me since they were much better.  Most of my material got put into the Oink File.  Many of the Oink tracks did see the light of day years later.

Roman was a wiz on the keys, but once it got into a computer, TDT was the Jedi Master.  For many tracks, it was all could do just to watch and put in my two cents were I could.  Many of my suggestions were included of course, but mostly, I was just trying to learn as much as possible.  The two of them were great teachers for me in the areas of songwriting, playing, and arrangements.

After several years in the storage unit, TDT bought a house.  He had a big yard so we built an addition on to his house.  We'd head over to Home Creepo and pick up the wood, drywall, and electrical supplies and just basically teach ourselves how it was done.  TDT was not only a great musician, but a good handy man to boot.  During all this I should mention that Donvan left, and Russ got married (only to leave shortly afterward).   One of the most interesting things, for me at least, was having April around as a vocalist for awhile.  We never really seemed to get along, but I really did enjoy having her around.  It was a nice change and let Roman off the hook with the vocal duties for a few songs.  

Just after the studio was built, we finished off our CD only to have Roman leave a month later because of concerns his new wife had.  From this point, TDT and I were screwed.  We had sunk a good chunk of change into the CD and our main means of selling the disc (playing out) was gone.   It was at this point we started to look yet again for another singer.  Enter Robin.

Robin was a bit younger than us and had very different influences but he loved Synthpop.  Plus, he looked a lot like Roman if you were drunk and squinted your eyes at a photograph.  Just before Robin came on board (or just after) my wife at the time was concerned about the amount of time I was spending with the band.  After some discussion, I decided I would give it another six months.   The time bomb started ticking down...

I really put my energy in motion for the band in the following months.  While we recorded new songs, plus newer versions of older songs.  We also played out a bit.  I was doing a lot of promotion for the band and trying to get us a recording contract.  At the time though, the mid-90's, grunge was all the rage and Synthpop was just a fad of the 80's.  MSO was a victim of bad timing.  I must have spent several hundred dollars just in the postage those last few months.

When summer came around and we had a few shows under out belt, we decided to do a show in Lost Angles.  When I pulled up to TDT's house to get the gear and head out, he told me that he wasn't going.  Part of me couldn't believe it, and part of me was just mad as hell (and I stayed that way for 600 miles).  He had good reasons for not going, but I was still pissed.  Robin had already headed out there so I had to tell him once I arrived.  Even without TDT  though, the show went off great.  But, when I got back, I decided  that I was done.  Also, I never saw Robin again (or maybe just once after that).

TDT was not happy as you can imagine.   It is my understanding, that at the time, he thought Robin had convinced me to leave. This was not really the case, but I can see how someone might think that.  Truth be told, TDT and I had far too much history for a relative new comer to come and influence me of his ways.  I knew Robin was leaving once the show in LA was done, but that had nothing to do with my decision.    My time line (mentioned earlier) was only about a month from being up and I simply cut it short by a few weeks.  TDT packed up my stuff nicely and saw me off.  I think I cried the whole way back to my place.  TDT was my closest friend for a long time and I knew that our seven years working together was coming to a close.

A few days later, probably the end of the second week, I filed for divorce.   TDT called about a month after that and asked if I wanted to come over and work out some of my older tunes that never really got any attention.  Being in the funk I was, I declined his invitation.  Since then, MSO hasn't existed as a group;  just as the last man standing, TDT.

I am still in regular contact with most former members of the band.  We have even worked on music together.  Please check out the Mutant and Balance on the Fold Projects.  And for a musical interpretation of the last days, check out "Token" from my Heartstrings disc.