John Litz AKA "Johnny Shooshami" ~ Bass primarily, plus the following: Guitar, Percussion, Drum Machine, Banjo, Jew's Harp, and anything else that can make a noise and inspire.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Johnny Shooshami currently plays bass for SICMaN of VA.
http://www.myspace.com/sicman
Influences
Everything I've ever heard in my life is an influence, whether good or bad; like it or not. Punk-Rock, Disco, Corporate Rock, Reggae, Surf Music, Novelty Records, TV and Movie themes. At about 11 years old when I really discovered music the stuff that really floated my boat was AC/DC and DEVO.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My main bass influences include (but are not limited to) Donald Duck Dunn, Phil Lesh, Eric Wilson, Allen Woody, Les Claypool, Jaco Pastorius, Eric Avery, Matt Freeman, and John McVee. I don't particularly play like any of these guys, but they all have an approach that perfectly fits the styles of music in which they play...that's my approach (or at least what I attempt).------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Since I do play guitar, I have some guitar influences as well, but the "Big Three" to me are Col. Steve Cropper, Larry LaLond and John Scofield. My guitar approach somewhat mirrors my bass approach, as I try to play with a lot of space. I don't have any real flashy licks and I never bothered to really learn anybodies solos: I tend to be more interested if finding cool chord voicings and little rhythmic funky bits.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As far as music, high on the list is Frank Zappa, Les Claypool, Miles Davis, and whatever I happen to be into on any given week. I love jazz, and my favorite style is what is usually referred to as "hard bop" and the '60's avant gard styles. As far as newer stuff goes, Medeski Martin & Wood, John Scofield, Charlie Hunter, and even the Beastie Boys instrumental stuff, I guess these things that could be referred to as "groove jazz", or "urban". There are a few artists on my Friends List who do really cool stuff like that too. I would love to find guys to play greasy grooves with and develop my improv chops.
John here, bassist, family man, and working-class stiff. I currently play with SICMaN of VA (original music and some obscure or bizarre covers). Sometimes I play with my old friends 54 Steps (classic rock covers and originals). On occasion I play "one shot projects" that could be anything. I'll play with anyone if the opportunity and time allows. My musical interests are all over the map, ranging from Classic Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, Funk, Jazz, Reggae and Avant-Garde styles. I tend to listen to things that aren't mainstream, and I'm a sucker for a "ridiculous hook".-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I started my musical quest at 17 on guitar, playing punk and "thrash metal". I even have some documentation from all those years ago, which may show up here from time to time. I never really "got" the guitar, though, and quit playing music entirely for about five years until I came back in earnest. That's also when I started playing bass.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I took up the bass in 1999 while living in Culpeper VA, basically as a way to jam with some folks. The bass turned out to be the "missing link" of my artistic development and my musical "voice" I've been playing in bands since then, performing many different styles of music.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My approach to playing cover tunes is to try to perform the various styles as authentically as possible. I consider myself a student of music and I have a deep respect for the music I play, even if I don't necessarily like all of it.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------On originals I try to harness the perfect line I can play for the song whether it's one note or all over the place. I'm not an overly technical player; I just try to convey the proper feel and notes.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm also into home recording and composing, although I have very little time for it. I usually don't write "songs", but "sonic soundscapes": Background music for movies that don't exist. My approach is improvisational composition. I'll start with a muse; it could be a word or phrase, a bassline, a chord or a sound. After that the parts start to write themselves, using me as the vehicle. I'm somewhat of a minimalist, and I like lots of "space" within my parts. I'm not out to impress anyone with blazing technique. What I lack in chops I try to make up for in orchestration. I just try to entertain myself, and if anyone else likes it, it becomes "art".----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I really love improvisational music, and would love to play jazz and groove with some folks to build up my knowledge and understanding. I've been taking online courses from Berklee College of Music, and I'll slowly work towards a degree in order to make music my business, perhaps getting into teaching and performing full time. One thing I've discovered is the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know s!%!!!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks for stopping by!
Falling Behind, Jewish Mother 8/7/09-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And...
Don't Call, Reagle Beagle...My very first gig with the band after a whopping three rehearsals!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With 2012 New Years Eve 2007
My son's very first public performance. He trips up a bit on the second tune, but recovers nicely!
Joseph Matthew Litz, 7 years old.
I like that you chose to call the "mouth harp" a "Jews harp" on your profile. Shows your denial of PC America and your willingness to continue to offend
