Link Exchanges - I'll be more than happy to exchange links on a reciprocating basis provided your site meets my stringent standards of coolness.  Please e-mail me with your information.  If you would like to be considered for a front page banner, please include a 143 x 80 pixel gif or jpg. (please note - front page banners are not ads and simply promote sites that I feel are deserving of public display.  I reserve the right to change the front page banners at my own convenience)

Musicians and Studios

BoB (Bumblebees of Brouhaha) - A killer band consisting of fellow MP..com members Reuben Luke (Six and Seven string guitars) and Noelle Perreira (Acoustic and Electronic drums).  Gone but not forgotten, and who knows the music we could have made were we in the same hemisphere...

Bryan Beller - The thinking man's (and woman's) bassist... and a good friend to boot, even though he razzes me on occasion.  It's okay - I can take it like a pro from a pro.  Also check out Onion Boy Records for news on his positively amazing solo release, "View"

Celldweller - The latest project from Klayton/Klay SScott/Scott Albert of Circle of Dust/Argyle Park/Brainchild fame.  Yes, there are far too many ///'s in the above, but his live show more than makes up for that.

Chris Dunnett - Cincinnati-based neo-flamenco guitarist who's debut CD "El Samuraichi" was released to acclaim (great reviews as high up as "Guitar Player" magazine) in early June of 2001.  His follow-up, "Higher Glyphics" simply raises the bar.

Clatter - Multiple layers of clean, distorted, aand effected bass + acoustic and electronic drums and percussion + pink-haired vocals = tasty goodness.  I'd pay good money to see them take out The White Stripes in a cage match. 

From The Ashes - Any band containing Angel Hernandez haas got to be \m/etal.  Yes, he could be drumming for the likes of John Tesh... he's that powerful.  South Florida metal at its sweatiest, muscular finest.

Mike Keneally - "Like Frank Zappa without all that pesky cynicism."

Evan Parness - They grow up so fast, don't they?  Drummer/bassist/engineer/producer of the famed Parns variety.  Too much talent in that family for their own good.

Mike Portnoy - The online home of Dream Theater/Liquid Tension Experiment/Transatlantic/OSI drummer Mike Portnoy.

Prism Theory - Cleveland-based progressive rock band.  "In the Wake of a Dream" is out and is a great progressive-shaded metal release. 

The Third Ending (Formerly know as "Theory Of Everything" formerly known as "Pacifier" formerly known as "Theory Of Everything") - that name just oozes prog, don't it?*  Tasmanian pseudo-prog band led by singer/songwriter/keyboardist, former television star (behind the camera, as it may be)-turned university student, good friend, and real life Tasmanian devil and close friend Nick Storr.  Their debut is amazing beyond words (well, except mine) to go purchase it now.

*Well, they ooze the good parts, and not the bloated, "overplay because we can" parts.  Others have that covered.  As for personal oozing, I'm not even asking that question.

Yogi - add large amount of original talent, dashes of Steve Vai, Mike Keneally and King's X, accomplished sidemen, and shake to a frothy mixture.  A beacon of light through Washington State's infamous cloud cover, and a gracious gentleman to boot.

Recommended Websites

Cincinnati Curfew! - Don't understand the "interesting" world of Cincinnati that I frequently comment on?  Neither do I most of the time, but this blog by an anonymous friend of mine will help a great deal in explaining why it's extremely hard to find a decent bagel in the area.

Crookedsixpense.com - As the title says, "The Weird Worrld of Katy Towell.  Folks, I simply can't describe it better than that.  It's like being inside a slightly scary dream or a really cool nightmare.

Dementia Radio - Unrehearsed, unrepentant and unorthodoox net radio... that plays requests!

Elizabeth and Brad's Backyard Organization - Website of my dear friend Liz McKeeverr and her fiancée Bradley M. Kuhn.  You can also check out Liz's LiveJournal entries here.

The Gateway... to Enlightenment - Adam "The Stache" Robert's amalgamation of ranting and Chick-Fil-A worship - yes, an interesting combination, but wwhen you're a man with a dream and a 'fro it's the little things in life that make a difference.

KatyTowell.com - I swear, I know far too many taalented web designers.  If you want something artsy, she's your woman.  Your short woman, but your woman nonetheless.

MyEasyPics.com - online photo hosting, portfolios, and slideshows at an incredible price. 

NickG's Little Slice of the World Wide Web - Yet another Elated-based site, but who am I to comment in this regard.  Bio, actual helpful IT tips, and a plan on becoming Emperor of the Universe.  However, I'm surprised the Emperor chose Angelfire and their Pop-ups from hell.

Noellelynn.com - What was once a minimalist site promotting web design has morphed into a unflinching look into one woman's exploration through life and where's it leading her both emotionally and geographically.  She's also extremely hot and mentions me numerous times, and thus this link was secured.

Number Six Design - Joshua Rasiel does web/print design, sstand-up comedy, and bar mitzvahs.  He even did web design for the Wonderbra.  Josh, masturbators too frightened to buy legitimate porn salute you.  Now with added dot com and bloggy goodness!

Pseudomorphic Fulminations - With a name like that, it must be goodd.  Nathan (O.G. Hollywood Video) B. Dovel's one-man mindfuck of a website.

Realm of the Dark and Mysterious (Rich's Webpage) - For "Thy Spirit Deceived" annd generally strange links.  Severally outdated, but the first time I was mentioned online.

Saratoga Hosting - First class web design, graphics and hosting packages.

Skary.net - A little fright now and then is a wonderful thing.  You get more than a little here.

This Is Not You Father's Webpage - Ben Raia's webpage... literally a pagee.  Here's his LiveJournal in case you desire more information.

Wilbur Street Online - Run by my good friend Jeff Kuhn - Learrn about the "Wilbur Street" Alcoholics.  Also check out his blog: Jeff's Theories, Predictions, Opinions and Other Nonsense.


Bass and Gear links

Avatar Speakers - Forget the preface of "for the money...", these are great speakers period.  I own a set of B210 and B212 Neo cabinets, and they allow my fairly unorthodox amplification setup to shine as I've always dreamed it would.

Harmony Central - Reviews of almost every instrument you can think off.  You'll have to wade through the writings of 14-year-olds, but the good stuff is there.  I've written candid reviews of my Fender, Ibanez SR-1206 and RKB 900, Yamaha basses, and SWR Mini Mo' preamp for the site.

D'addario Strings - I've tried other brands from time to time, but inevitably return home... quite literally, as they're located five miles from my family's house in New York.  Great strings, and even better customer service - you don't have to be featured in a magazine to get a reply, help, and swag.

Fender - One of the basses I play.  For a variety of reasons slightly less articulate then the Yamahas on the low B string, but it's got the unmistakable "Fender" vibe that sits in a track like butter on a bagel.  If I had to bring one bass to a session or gig this one would be it, and no bassist should be without at least one Fender in their stable.

Ibanez - Three more basses I play.  My SR--800 four-string served me well for many years as both a live bass and a studio instrument, and then as my "fretless training bass."  The SR-1206 six-string got me back into playing during a crucial period in my life as well as introduced me to both the magical thunder of a low B string and the melodic and chordal opportunities of a high C string.  My RKB 900 is a solid-as-granite P/J bass that's beautiful in its simplicity.

Mike Lull Custom Guitars - The pro-level basses I can't afford to play.  The Modern 5 is, quite simply, the most perfect instrument for my needs that I've ever laid my hands upon.

QSC - Are there cheaper amplifiers on the maarket?  No doubt.  Are there lighter, more powerful amplifiers on the market?  A few.  Are there lightweight, watt-per-dollar amplifiers with the sound quality and customer service reputation on par with QSC?  I sure couldn't find one.

SKB - I bought my PS-25 pedalboard from themm years ago, and it was a wonderful designed product.  When it came time to find a rackcase that was lightweight and easily transportable, their "Roll-X" series with it's luggage-type telescoping handle and 2.5 inch wheels beat the competition hands-down.

SWR - All I'll say is that after 14 years off playing, their Mini Mo' preamp is how I always imagined my dream tone to sound like.  Add built-in studio-quality effects like overdrive/distortion, subwave, bass synth, Mo' EQ, and chorus to the package and you've literal got what SWR sometimes refers to the Mo' series as: not simply preamps, but "soundstations."  If I had a roadie and the need (and money) for pro-level cabinets they would be in my inventory as well.

Talkbass.com - Where the low-end professionals gatherr.

The Bottom Line - The premiere online bass discussion liist.

The Chapman Stick - Okay, it's not quite a bass, and not quite a guitar.  It has it's own thing happening.

Yamaha - Two of the basses I play (fretted in flat sliver, custom fretless in flat blue) and what I'd currently consider my main players for the rock/metal genre.  I've know of Yamaha's quality since recording some of the Stennar studio tracks with my drummer's BB5NA Nathan East model in 2000.  I should have bought that off him (or a new one) when I had the chance, it was that nice an instrument.  Oh well, perhaps one day on the used market... or an endorsement.  

Literature

Cincinnati CityBeat - Cincinnati, my adopted home.

The Village Voice - New York, my "home" home.
The Boondocks - Politically astute, socially relevant and side-splittingly funny all at the same time.  For daily strips visit UComics.com.

Poppy Z. Brite - Far and away my favorite author.  Not for the squeamish, homophobic or abstainers of intoxicating substances.  Oh, and she's not going to write another vampire novel, so don't bother asking. 

MegaToyko - Unlike my poor excuse for a website, tthis comic is l33t.

Something Positive - Any comic that illustrates the giving of a coathanger as a baby shower gift gets a thumb's up from me.

Website Design Resources

Elated - a wonderful source for easily modifiedd site templates and tutorials.  This version of ianperge.com started out as the port(al) PageKit.

Bravenet - Supplier of my guestmap.  A greatt site for webmaster services and site additions.