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Entering 2025, we're focused on releasing our fifth collection [as yet untitled]. With that in mind, I thought it might be fun to share some perspective on the band's recordings thus far, and give some insights into the journey.
To date, we've released four albums, each distinctly different in overall sound; this is the result of both the lineup of the band and their individual influences, and the purpose and intent of the release.
I use we as opposed to "I", because without collaborators, I wouldn't have been able to turn my ideas into the music that's resulted. I am the principle songwriter, bringing the chord structures, lyrics, arrangements, and melodies, but each band member has had the freedom to approach their part(s) of each song in their own way. I feel like this has enabled my bandmates to express themselves creatively and honestly.
I began with a vision of a sound that brought together elements of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Tantric, and even Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, but I did not want that to be a limiting factor on the artists I worked with. So, as you listen to the catalog chronologically, the tone and temperature reflects who I was at the time, the cast assembled and their individual personalities, and what I was trying to achieve with each release.
First Release: Kaleidoscope Mind [2018]
Band Members:
tOd - Acoustic Bass, Vocals
Mark Brennan - Drums
Pete Mako - Acoustic Guitar
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Perpective:
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Following the success of my first "solo" show, and the willingness of Mark and Pete to move forward as a band, I almost immediately envisioned releasing an album. Preparing for that show, and the fresh energy it brought to my songwriting, made for a truly exciting time, and I felt it gave both myself and my bandmates a goal.
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The songs run the gamut, from the upbeat, country-esque "Bad Advice", to the darker, more alternative, "Awake". To be honest, I had more vision than budget, and had an aggressive timeline for release, so not all of the songs hold up well over time; however, more than half of these songs remain in our live performance catalog to date, and "Bad Advice" is always a crowd favorite.
We captured some great chemistry and energy with this collection, and I doubt I'd be here 8 years later without Mark and Pete's enthusiasm and support.
Second Release: Bombastecoustic LIVE! [2019]
Band Members:
tOd - Acoustic Bass, Vocals
Mark Brennan - Drums
Keith Cousineau - Acoustic Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
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Perpective:
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Following Pete's departure from the band to pursue his own solo endeavors, Keith agreed to step in as a fill-in until I could recruit a new full-time guitarist. Keith, a veteran musician and bandleader, brought a fresh, punk-inspired feel to the band.
At this point, I was working hard to get the music heard, so we were playing often, and word of our live performances was getting around. With budget still a concern, I proposed capturing a live recording would be a quick, cost-effective means to get our current sound, and some new songs out in front of a larger audience.
In retrospect, while the theory was sound, the execution was less so. Rather than record the performance with open-air mics that would capture more of the in-room audience experience, the performance was recorded directly from the soundboard. The isolated tracks exposed a number of imperfections, most notably my knack for "strumming" on bass, which in a live setting, fills out the overall sound, but is not suitable for studio-quality release.
You won't find this album on any streaming service, and there are only 10 physical copies in the hands of friends and fans I'd given advance copies to. While it was never released, I still consider this collection as "canon", in that it captured a truly fun period of time, with songs such as "You People" and "Got Used To It".
Third Release: Lennon [2020]
Band Members:
tOd - Acoustic Bass, Vocals
Mark Brennan - Drums
Keith Cousineau - Acoustic Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Jae Entsminger - Lead Guitar
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Perpective:
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Two years in, we were in a bit of a holding pattern, playing fairly often, getting tighter as a band, but lacking that one extra element audiences were looking for, a lead guitarist.
Keith was now two years in on "filling in", but had made it clear from the beginning he was a rhythm player only and that if we wanted a lead instrument, we needed to find someone else; and that someone was Jae.
Jae brought rock n' roll swagger, and unparalleled intensity to the band. His only caveat was that he would not play acoustic guitar, preferring to make his statements with soaring Les Pauls; I happily acquiesced.
With this significant change in the band's sound, we needed new product to get in front of venues and promoters that represented the current lineup. I decided that we'd make a "transitional" album, including re-workings of some of the most popular tracks from "Kaleidoscope Mind", some venue-friendly covers, and a couple of new tracks.
The three new tracks, "Got Used To It", "Move On", and "You People", gave a preview of what the band would evolve into over the next few years; a straight-forward rock band.
Fourth Release: Idle Hands [2022]
Band Members:
tOd - Bass, Vocals
Mark Brennan - Drums
Keith Cousineau - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Jae Entsminger - Lead Guitar
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Perpective:
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At the start of 2020, it seemed everything was [finally] falling into place. I had a stellar lineup of talent, we were tight as a band, performance opportunities were coming in, and we had a fresh album to promote. It seemed "everything was coming up tOd" ... and then, a global pandemic.
I felt there were two ways we could go. We could, like so many other bands we knew, go on hiatus until the crisis abated. Or, we could keep working and give ourselves the goal of recording the next album; it would keep us together, and give us a purpose.
It was during this period that acoustic instruments disappeared completely, and the evolution of the band took another step toward the sound of a classic American rock band. The songs are edgy, tinged with punk and Hollywood rock influences.
This collection includes "Times Lost Gone" [co-penned with Keith], as well as a long-time fan favorite cover of "Alright" by King's X.
Fifth Release: Untitled [2025]
Band Members:
tOd - Acoustic Bass, Vocals
Lucio Lombardo Jr. - Drums
Roy Clark - Acoustic Guitar
Brad Runkle - Saxophone, Harmonica, Vocals
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Perpective:
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Following the departure of Mark [7 years] and Jae [5 years] in early 2024, I had some time to review, re-assess, and re-tool the Bad Ideas' engine. I knew I wanted to return to an acoustic-centered sound, open up the palette to a wider audience; and keep a firmer hand on the wheel.
I immersed myself in the sounds of Tom Petty, Dege Legg, Pete Yorn, and Springsteen and Morphine, and combed through old songbooks to revisit songs I'd shelved when they didn't fit the dynamic of the band at the time.
Over time, the new iteration of the Bad Ideas came together, each piece falling into place almost magically; my good fortune continues.
We recorded three new songs in October of 2024, and are set to record another three in February of 2025. We'll release a full 10-track album in October of 2025. In the meantime, you can look for a new single release every month from December '24 to May '25 on all streaming services.
I'm Not Lonely, the first new recording release since 2022's Idle Hands EP, released on December 17, 2024 and is available on all streaming platforms.
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