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Some Alternative

from Ever So Transient by vonHummer

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about

"Some Alternative" was great fun to record. I started with programming the drums, taking a preset pattern, deleting beats, adding beats, and then mutating it. Then I added the different mutating measures so that they came in at odd times: the middle of a verse or chorus. Normally a drum pattern should end in sync with when a verse or chorus ends, and then a new one begins. The oddness of it adds to the alternativity of the song.

The "alternative" that the singer of this song is seeking is an alternative to working hard. Most sensible folks learn early on that life means working hard at some grueling job and eventually getting old and dying, and they accept it. Not so, this guy. At the end of the song he concedes that he's not the only one looking for some alternative to work. It's just him and the whole of mankind.

I love the big Queen ending here. "Somebody to Love" is a lifelong favorite of mine, so it was a blast to do something in that tradition.

lyrics

"Some Alternative" [vonHummer]
As a young man, might’ve been, I don’t know, twenty-five, when it came to me, inescapably, you gotta work long and hard every day to stay alive, (and that’s just the bare minimum many many men do to get by: not even live it up—just to live!)

And I made up my mind then and there to find some alternative…
Getting older, must’ve been, I don’t know, thirty-nine, when it came to me, an epiphany: work long and hard every day and end up dying. Still hadn’t found any northwest passage to Easy Street. (No, it’s Skid Row if my luck should give!)

And I made up my mind: keep trying to find some alternative…

Eat shit and live, and try to think positive, just me and mankind trying to find some alternative.

credits

from Ever So Transient, released March 21, 2009
vonHummer: vocals, high guitar, low guitar, drums,
Syd O'Nimm: bass

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vonHummer Portland, Oregon

vonHummer is a Portland music/cable access legend whose career spanned from Fall of 2001 to Fall of 2011, during which he recorded a hundred or so songs for use in his absurdist show (and feature film) and played only a handful of concerts. Currently retired, his work shines on for the ages. Or will he someday return...? ... more

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