MacJams.com - Song: Monsters by dreadmon

Monsters
by dreadmon

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Song comments: 48
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Plays: 397
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Submitted on: Jul 07, 2006 - 11:38:26 AM
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Keywords dreadmon (48), Bing Futch (48), bombings (1), July 7th (1), terrorist (4), Bush (55), fear (39), rock (1142), dulcimer (33), ()

Description I joined MacJams on July 13th, 2005 and posted my first two songs on July 16th. One of them was "Monsters At The Garden Wall", a rock dulcimer piece with vaguely mystical lyrics that was generally well-received and I met many of you for the first time. I took the safe path with that tune, because I was so new. Today's a good day to shed some light upon it.
The music came one day after the London bombings; the words a day after that. It's my response to those bombings and the governmental manipulation that followed. Mainly, it's a song to President George Bush and in the repost of the lyrics, I parenthetically reveal the meaning behind key phrases.I had been thinking about revisiting it for awhile and got home from work early enough today for it to be morning (my favorite time to record). So, I left the music performances and did a remix to fatten up the drums, bass and dulcimers. I re-recorded all of the vocals this morning and did a quick mix. Some of the harmony counter-melodies are still a bit foggy, but overall, this is a much more presentable version than the one uploaded almost a year ago. For the improvements, I have my fellow mellow MacJammers to thank, for every bit of input, suggestions, helpful hints, critique and encouragement. If this track is any better, it's mainly because of you.
And since I know a good number of you better now, I realize that many of us share different views on the political climate that we live in today, but that doesn't seem to get in the way of our communications and interactions; that's a very, very big blessing. Thanks to all of you!

Lyrics I watch a falling star
land right where you are
at your feet

(Satan has been described as a "fallen angel", or as a star that fell from the heavens. This line addresses George W. Bush in like terms. The guy is evil. EVIL, I tell you. I mean this sort of jokingly, but the jury is still out)

you say it's getting late
there are monsters at the
garden wall
so far to fall

(Bush's fearmongering in the so-called "war on terror" utilizes the idea that there are bad people out there trying to get us, i.e., monsters trying to get into the world's green garden. However, no-one is a greater terrorist in this world than Bush and his cabinet.)

you don't scare me
I'm not amused
you must surely have me confused
with someone else
someone who could be you

(the chorus refrain, again addressing Bush, as well as Cheney, Chertoff, Rice, Rumsfeld and the rest of these criminals: try and instill fear in the American people and the rest of the world all you want - I'm not scared. In fact, I feel that it's our GOVERNMENT that should be scared of us. "Someone who could be you.")

there's nothing in my heart
that won't survive the war
of words and colors flown
of broken records, skulls and bones

(my heart will go on *gah!*, despite the rhetoric, the terror levels of yellow, orange and red, the repeated lies and the acknowledgement that Bush is part of the ivy league secret society Skull and Bones. It's beginning to come to light just how twisted the truth really is.)

to kill me you must kill my soul
to frighten, you must have control
control is sugar in your hands
falls from the fist, falls to the ants

(of course, they can never kill the soul, they don't have the power - fear can only be dealt by those with absolute power - but their control is weakening - it falls from the fists of power to the ants of society - the people.)

you don't scare me
I'm not amused
you must surely have me confused
with someone else
someone who could be you

BRIDGE

wouldn't you tell me if you had another life?
(are you really who you say you are, Mr. Bush?)
wouldn't you kill me if I had another life?
(if you had the chance, would you just wipe us out?)
wouldn't it thrill me then just to be alive?
(shouldn't I be happy merely to exist to watch this drama unfold?)

music - july 8, 2005
words - july 9, 2005
14:21

Hardware Appalachian mountain dulcimer

Software: Garageband 3
Software bass
drum loops

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.rschletty said 869 days ago

Demonic possession or incompetency?
You, the Bush and I should just sit down for lunch someday and sort
this all out. I don't think he's a demon. I think he may be somewhat
encrusted in a political block of stone that makes sight and insight
difficult. To tell the truth, I don't know. I am suffering under the weight
of inadequate income and excessive tax obligations. Bullets slowly
passing through me. So slow, I hardly notice. I blame myself for my
own domestic turbulence. But I am free to ride my car and wave my
banner of religion. I am thankful for that. So much of this killing stuff
doesn't ever reach me in central Minnesota.

I applaud your ability to declare your rage in such a musical way. It is a
very good song. But I can't accept your demonic assertions about our
president.

There is another word we might want to pull out and tale a look at.
Incompetency.

dreadmon said 869 days ago

Demonic possession or incompetency?
Hey RS - there's perhaps more of a tongue in my cheek than is clearly evident regarding Dubya - and I don't pretend to judge anyone based on facts that haven't been proven (i.e., no proof of triple digits tattooed on his head.) However, when it comes down to the facts that can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt (I won't go into them here, but Bush is on the record as being a manipulative creep), there is no denying that he is deliberate in his destructive intentions. I don't believe he's just incompetent. I believe he is purposeful and deliberate, which makes some of his alleged "gaffes" that much more astounding and unbelievable. Thanks for listening!

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

.rschletty said 869 days ago

Demonic possession or incompetency?
Like I said, I just don't know. Perhaps there is a blanket hiding manipulation
and meanness that needs to be pulled back. Wouldn't it be nice to see who is
really under the covers? I voted for the Bush but my regard for his
administration has been dropping. I should do more reading. Better yet, I
should just stay out of it. You pushed a "hate the president" button and I
overreacted.

One of my favorite bands is called "Devil in a Woodpile".

---
http://www.schletty.com/song

dreadmon said 868 days ago

Demonic possession or incompetency?
No worries, RS - the fact that you're of the mindset to research a bit more about our president is exactly the kind of reaction I like to see with folks these days. I don't blame anyone for voting for Bush. I blame the mainstream media for intentionally misleading the general public. If you're looking for a good alternative news source, I highly recommend WhatReallyHappened.com as well as CrooksAndLiars.com and OldAmericanCentury.org. I think once people begin to realize just how the mass media serves as a shield between the president's administration and the people that it's sworn to serve, there will be a lot more angry voices in the growing chorus. That's why I write some of the tunes that are politically centered and continue to write more every day - I love Neil Young's "Living With War" album and hope that more musicians use their gifts to help shed some light on the horrible truths about America. Thanks for being open - and I'm down with dialogue whenever you've a mind to engage in conversation. bing@jobentertainment.com

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

	Karmatoburn said 869 days ago
	great Dreadmon, what a great tune. Solid in every respect. I never heard the original but this rocks. Did you play all these instruments? Thought you did a stellar job on the mix. The backing vocals sound good!

dreadmon said 868 days ago

great
Hey, thanks very much, I totally appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment. Glad you like the mix! (I've had a year to sort of mull it over, LOL!) I'm playing all the instruments - used the Garageband software bass and played it using a Roland Fantom as as controller. Those are standard bass loops that came with GB and all of the other bits are dulcimer tracks. I think there are five or six layers, rhythm, lead and some white noise that came from a very noisy processor, so I rode the volume controls (keypoints) to fade it in and out. I'm consistently astounded by the excellent quality of the amp models in GB - if I could only get my actual amp to sound as good! You like the vox too? Wow, you don't know how happy that makes me - I've been working hard on improving my voice, so that really means a lot. Thanks again!

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

	craft said 869 days ago
	hell of a lyrics This song really rocks. Love it. Sound very good.. A real kick ass track..

dreadmon said 868 days ago

hell of a lyrics
Hello Craft - thanks very much! You honor this song by proclaiming that it rocks, I was hoping for that. Thanks again! I'm glad you enjoy the lyrics, as vague as they are. Once I wrote it, I wondered if anyone would really get it if they weren't explained. I guess they make a stand and make a point in a general way, and perhaps that was what I was going for. By making it a song specifically about July 7th, 2005 - it wouldn't be available for anyone to make their OWN personal song about overcoming fear. In retrospect, at least I think that's my reasoning. LOL! Thanks for taking the time to listen.

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

kristyjo said 868 days ago

Great pop-rock tune.
I really like the the vocals - really great harmonies and mix! I'm not a
rocker, and don't even pretend to be one, but the vocals drew me in. The
mix was awesome! I think that you have the production perfect.
(Politically, I subscribe to the 'dim-bulb from an influential family' theory,
rather than the ' demon from hell' theory, but, like rschletty, I'm from the
Midwest, where we reserve our judgement and make snide comments
behind each others' backs rather than protest where people might see us.)

dreadmon said 868 days ago

Great pop-rock tune.
Heya KristyJo - first off, I thank you for being open-minded to different musical styles, that's such a beautiful thing. I'm glad you were able to enjoy this, though I'll bet you could rock out with the best of them. Look at the great work that rock musicians and classical musicians have done over the years - I'd be thrilled to see what you could do with the genre; you're more than capable. Secondly, I appreciate your candor regarding midwest values, but have a sneaking suspicion that you are probably more progressive than the norm. I agree that Dubya is a bit of a dim bulb - he's led a privileged life, which has resulted in a bit of intellectual stunting - but he's also a shrewd dealmaker and a bit of a lowbrow, which makes him a dangerous diplomat. I suspect that you're already on the undecided list with him at this point, if not wholeheartedly voting for change next time you get the chance. In any case - thank you for taking the time to listen and also for your comments on the mix - my Mac G4 is starting to really slow down and I can't do everything in real time, so I had to do a lot of approximation with this mix and I'm just really glad that it came out alright. Much obliged!

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

Komrade K said 868 days ago

I'd be pretty confident that...
...GWB won't put this on his iPod! This is a fine hard drivin' rocker and
very catchy too. The production is great as is the playing and singing
(grand harmonies).

Lyrically I have to say it leaves me a little cold - I sympathise with your
stance however I kinda like political stuff to dig down a bit more (but
maybe that's just me...)

You do wonders with that Dulcimer thingy tho' - I'm well impressed.

KK

dreadmon said 868 days ago

I'd be pretty confident that...
Hey KK - thanks for listening, I truly appreciate that! You know, lyrically - I'm feeling you there and I spoke to that above, it's almost too ambiguous and I think that I was playing it really safe a year ago as I wrote this out. When I look at the song today, if I were to not have the opportunity to shed light on what it means, I think that much would be lost, and that as a result of playing it safe. If anything, it's got me thinking about rewriting the lyrics.

But I'm glad you dig the production, that counts for quite a bit. Thank you for your comments, you touched on and confirmed something about the lyrics and I'm grateful to you for that!

The upside of that is, if George happened across this on the net one day, he WOULD probably download it to his iPod, because he'd have no earthly idea that it was about him!

Which makes me wonder, for those who have listened to it and future listeners - without the annotations - what do you think this song is about?

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

Komrade K said 868 days ago

I'd be pretty confident that...
Yes you've got a point there - perhaps I was paying to much heed to the
annotations (tho' it's good of you to include these). I'm not sure if I would have
gotten it without these (although there are a few clues).

However, being unspecific can be a good thing because it gives the lyrics a
timelessness (which could be important as this is not the first time such
contempt has been shown to a country's population by its executive (and sadly
it's unlikely to be the last).

KK

	dreadmon said 867 days ago
	I'd be pretty confident that... Amen, brother, amen. Totally good on ya. This topic needs to be revisited - and I'll be considering all of these comments as I go the next bout with this tune. Thanks again - --- Mahalo nui loa,<p> Bing Futch<br> <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

perceptualvortex said 868 days ago

Excellent
Really great song, Bing, excellent writing and production. It rocks and has a good message, I like that. All other political issues aside, the Bush administration is clearly interested only in handing out money and power to those that don't need it, and trying to inspire hatred towards dissent in this country. It's powerfully unamerican, and it's painful and embarrassing to have to watch what they do in our name every day. So I think it's important for songs like this to rock out with a bit of truth to shake people up; perhaps next time more people will vote for the one with some ethics.

	Mcboy said 867 days ago
	deep and insightful song..........the power of song to communicate thoghts and feelings is one of the most beautiful things....and u have succeeded here.......u have your songcraft down pat......right on......

	TEXASFEEL said 867 days ago
	Man! this song is really groovy I'm digging the sound of this whole song. It's so Radio Ready... the guitar (dulcimer?) is really catchy and the vocals are right on! Such a message thought for an upbeat tune. It's great to be alive! Even at a stop light that has red orange and yellow lights. Thanks for sharing...

dreadmon said 867 days ago

Man! this song is really groovy
I guess I'm really surprised at how well this song has been received this time around. All I can do is be thankful for the insightful comments you've laid out here - and the support for both the message and the music. An artist couldn't ask for much more than that, and so I bow down and thank you for your graciousness. I mean this wholeheartedly. It's an even greater jazz to know how many people are fed up and ready for a change; taking back America is a priority in the minds of so many and that's exactly what we need right now. THAT is the biggest high that I could get off of recording a tune like this. Thank you again....

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

	TEXASFEEL said 867 days ago
	Man! this song is really groovy Have you submitted this to Neil Young's site? It's one of the best protest songs on this site.

	Ed_Moran said 867 days ago
	All Around Top Notch What can I say that hasn't already been said Great lyrics, playing and production. Look forward to following your work. Ed

echoroom said 867 days ago

a great protes
There have been some really crap 'protest' songs (Through the Barricades,
written about the war in Ireland by Spandau Ballet, insults me every time I
hear it), and most are really hamfisted.

I love the lyric to ths - direct but subtle, andI really appreciate you
breaking this down, as I got a lot more from seeing exactly what you
meant.

This is bolted to a lovely melody, with great playing.

I loved this - thanks DM - Steve

dreadmon said 865 days ago

a great protes
Hey, thanks very much echo - I haven't heard that Spandau Ballet song, but you have a point about protest songs that are perhaps not really protest songs and more like angst ballads or something. It's like when 9/11 went down and most of the songs that made it to radio were country ballads or songs about going to kick SaddamaOsama's bee-hind. It's not often that straightforward tunes like "Ohio" come ripping out of the social fabric when something goes awry in the system somewhere. I'm glad you liked this one, however - subtle as it is. For something not very subtle, check out my tune "Bomb" - complete with Bush sound bytes and lyrics that are pretty clearly on the subject of war.

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

The Composer said 866 days ago

This is painful to listen too...
This is painful to listen too because it reminds that theres still another
2 more years to sit and wait with the rest of the world (minus his 30%
approval rating that must've only been watching Fox news all this time
or something) and just hope that he doesn't screw up again and stop
trying to believe that Global warming hasn't been confirmed by every
legitimate scientist in the world. 2 more years... unless someone gives
him a blow job so you can impeach him or something.

Anyway, neat little song here Bing. Nicely produced and everything
fits together pretty nicely. The software bass sounds real and the
drum loops are well used (the double time is well placed too)... so
unless you point it out to people, most people wouldn't notice either so
well done on that.

Nice idea explaining all the metaphors in the piece and they're all
connected pretty well too. My only complaint would be that chord
progressions are a little happy/poppy for my taste, but you make them
work pretty well anyway.

Cool song Bing... lets hope he screws things up as little as possible
from now on.

	Alannah said 866 days ago
	Politics or no Politics ... ... this is still a great song ... however . there are lots of great songs that I like and I have NO idea what they are really about anyway .... I like the sound of it .. and your voice of course is A-One ! p.s I'm still glad I'm Canadian tho !

	Stun Nutz said 866 days ago
	right on Very good song here... driving and energetic... very melodic, accessible and enjoyable. I share a lot of your frustrations about our government. I often get worried about what kind of world our kids are growing up into.

dreadmon said 861 days ago

right on
Thank you very much, Stun! Amen, I worry about what's being left behind, especially with all of this brouhaha heating up again in Lebanon and surrounding places. The term "going nuclear" has become something to think strongly about once again. Lordy, can we get Bush out of office? It won't solve all the problems, but it will at least be an improvement on things in this country - but I won't get into that here. Thanks again for listening, Stun, I appreciate it! (this song has really brought a lot of interesting responses, and that's really more important to me than the appreciation of the song itself - dialogue is awesome.)

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch 
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

	scratch_harris said 864 days ago
	I have to say... Can you sell this to REM...? They haven't done anything as good since "Up".

	scratch_harris said 864 days ago
	..... ....alright apart from Electron Blue, Saturn Returns and Leaving NY. But I still think Stipe could make this his own.

	alley-oop said 862 days ago
	Great tune Great rockin' tune. Powerful words. Great vocals!

	VicDiesel said 853 days ago
	Cool tune. I've listened to your music before, so I knew that I shouldn't expect gentle plinkety-plink sounds from your dulcimer. This tune rocks! I'm intrigued by the explanations of the lyrics. By themselves they are already pretty evocative, but it's interesting to see what you actually had in mind. Excellent production. Everything is well played and sung, and it's a very coherent sound.

	dwwave said 843 days ago
	Cool Track A vey well produced and thought out piece here, no weak points possibly the drums are just a hair loud(bit drums are loud!) If I closed my eyes and did not know who was playing, I would think REM (I think I saw another post mentioning REM as well.) Great playing and vocals(and excellent backing vocals, excellent lyrics Great Job! Very Lively dwwave

	Osric said 824 days ago
	Looky looky who's got the Bushy I havnt been on the site in some time, but glad i stopped in your stuff always amazes me. And its nice to know there are others out there who thing the man is wack. At least I can say it wasnt my vote who put him in power!

	Chase Alvins said 813 days ago
	Stupid, not evil. He's not evil, Bush's just plain old stupid.

	Pete_NB said 753 days ago
	Great Stuff Well done song Dread, and thoughtful prose. Nice to see talent being used to share an important message.

SolarFlare Bass - Doug said 585 days ago

Excellent
I listened to some of your music as you where kind enough to spend the time to listen to ours and give feedback and i found this song touching a nerve. I am english, living in Aus and when attacks like the bus bomb in your picture happen i always fear for my pals and family back home.

to kill me you must kill my soul
to frighten, you must have control

I know your song has a different message but it captured how i felt about the bomb in the picture.

This is a great song.

dreadmon said 585 days ago

For real
Thanks Doug - the song is about so many different things, but the attacks of 7/7 were the catalyst for this tune and though I do spend a lot of time in the song talking about Bush, I'm also talking about any kind of government who would use terrorism and the threat of terrorism as a means of control for its people. I don't know if you're a Blair fan (or a Howard fan for that matter), but unfortunately, most world leaders have ulterior motives and I don't really trust any of them, nor the ones currently running for office. They politicize our pain for their gain. Makes you want to move to the moon sometimes. Thanks again for listening - I'm glad, all things considered, that this song connected with you - and I enjoyed listening to your music!

---
Mahalo nui loa,

Bing Futch

	dreadmon said 867 days ago
	deep Wow, that's a great, great encouragement from you McBoy - the medium is the message and vice versa - another bit of a pick me up from someone else who certainly knows what time it is. thank you, and aloha - --- Mahalo nui loa,<p> Bing Futch<br> <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

	dreadmon said 861 days ago
	Great tune Hey alley-oop! Thanks a bunch, man - I appreciate you checking it out! --- Mahalo nui loa,<p> Bing Futch<br> <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/22369" target="_blank">"Monsters" </a> - Revisiting July 7th, 2005

	dreadmon said 792 days ago
	Cool Tune Thank you very much, Vic! Heh-heh, I can't resist the urge to make the dulcimer do things that dulcimers don't normally do - and with the subject matter, it wasn't too hard to get it screaming (cuz I'm just not a screamer - no matter how hard I try) Thanks again for listening! --- Mahalo nui loa,<p> Bing Futch

	dreadmon said 792 days ago
	Standing in the place where I live Wow, that's two REM comments on this one - a very, very cool compliment - thank you so much! --- Mahalo nui loa,<p> Bing Futch

	dreadmon said 792 days ago
	Push, push, out the Bush LOL, Osric - wack indeed. Get him OUTTA here! Just two more years, just two more years, I keep assuring myself. Thanks for listening and for your very gracious words! --- Mahalo nui loa,<p> Bing Futch

	dreadmon said 792 days ago
	Bushie I'm inclined to agree with you there! Thanks for checking it out - --- Mahalo nui loa,<p> Bing Futch

	dreadmon said 585 days ago
	Thanks Pete Again, I dropped the ball on this - sometimes I miss comments and I feel awful about it! But thank you so much for listening! --- Mahalo nui loa, Bing Futch

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