ASK DAN Vol. 2

"I don't know!" "Yeah, I don't know either!"

OK... Maybe we went a little far with that one!

Q: I notice sometimes you have one of the 4x12's pointed backwards -- what's the point of that?
A: (Dave) I pretty much only do that when I am playing with DJ Skribble. The reason is mainly due to the fact that when he and I do our set, I am the only thing coming from the stage as his turntables and the mics are only going through the p.a. The idea is to mix the guitar through the p.a. with Skribble's tracks so the blend is even and the people up front don't get blasted by the amp facing them. When we have DJ Slynkee playing drums on stage with us, or when the front row is far enough away, I'll have the amp facing out.

Q: Also are you still using the JCM 900's sometimes I have squinted really hard at my computer screen and they look like JCM 2000's.
A: (Dave) I use the 900 for Jane's and Camp Freddy... the more organic rock set up. Sometimes I use the 2000 with Skribble and J Mello or when I'm playing with a more electronically fueled set.

Q: Does DN's rig consist of two Marshall JCM 900's for the purpose of running one for gain/distortion sounds and another for clean tones? If so is this due to the Marshall JCM 900 having only one set of tone controls which is shared by both channels, thus using two seperate heads allows for varied settings to be attained for gain and clean tones?
A: (Dave) For club shows I only use the 900 for both clean and dirty tones. If you see another head on stage, it's primarily there as a back up in case something goes wrong with the head I'm using. For larger tours I do switch between two heads... The 900 for the dirty and a Mode 4 for clean. The Mode 4 is an amazing all around head but I prefer the dirty on the 900. The clean on the Mode 4 is perfect because it can handle high output pickups without breaking up on the clean channel. It is nice to have more control over the tones when running two heads but the shared tones on the 900 hasn't ever been a problem in the smaller venues.

Q: What system do you use to toggle between the heads?
A: (Dan) We use a Whirlwind A/B Box. You can do any combo of clean, dirty, or both.

Q: What tube compliment is employed in these amps and do you use different tubes for each, are they biased differently?
A: I don't re-tube Daves heads myself. I bring them to my guy and he works his magic. But I can tell you that we use EL-34's in both heads.

Q: Dan, how does your personal rig compare with that of Dave?
A: (Dan) Well, I am a bass player in "real life." I use Musicman & Fender basses through Ampeg SVT. But one thing we have in common is that we both like simplicity. No need to have all kinds of extras if they don't help. I have no effects, but Dave has minimal effects and only what he needs to sound like himself.

Q: What is up with that white Ibanez Dave played (in the pic that accompanies the El Cid post)? I thought I saw a PRS tremolo on that instrument, can you tell us about that Guitar?
A: (Dan) I had that made for Dave recently through our friend Rob at Ibanez. Usually with Ibanez if you want a tremolo you get a Floyd Rose, but when you are teching a Floyd Rose and a string breaks it can sometimes take longer than is acceptable to change it out. So I had that one made with a floating tremolo like you find on the PRS or a Strat. Once you put the Sperzel locking tuners on it, it stays in tune 95% as well as the Floyd Rose does.

Catch Dan Cleary teching LIVE on stage Dec 2nd at The Roxy!!!!

November 29, 2008 at 11:41 AM | Comments (17)

ASK DAN Vol. 1

And now, the long awaited and highly anticipated corner of the web devoted to all things gear related. Dan, my tech, has made himself available for any and all inquiries regarding my live and studio set ups. A real treat for you gear heads out there! Enjoy...

Q: What system do you use to toggle between the heads?
A: Dave does the switching himself, with his foot.

Q:What tube compliment is employed in these amps and do you use different tubes for each, are they biased differently?
A: When I work, I try to be as unbiased as possible. Not sure about the tubes.

Q; In Dave's set-up, are the tubes biased hot, cold or right down the middle?
A: Yeah, pretty much.

Q: Can you compare some advantages and disadvantages that exist between a self contained head or combo amp, such as Dave's amps, versus a seperate pre and power amp set-up?
A: No, I really can't.

Q: Dan, how does your personal rig compare with that of Dave?
A: Sorry, too personal.

Q: What is up with that white Ibanez Dave played (in the pic that accompanies the El Cid post)? I thought I saw a PRS tremolo on that instrument, can you tell us about that Guitar?
A: No, no I can't. Glad I could help. Thanks for the questions !!!!

Q: I notice sometimes you have one of the 4x12's pointed backwards -- what's the point of that?
A: It's just kinda whatever.

Q: Also are you still using the JCM 900's sometimes I have squinted really hard at my computer screen and they look like JCM 2000's.
A: I'm not sure what heads we usually use. But they sound good right?

November 28, 2008 at 05:46 PM | Comments (9)

Thanksgiving

Bon Appetit!

JA Cafe: Lemme see what I can do for you! Go to my MySpace page and send me a message with your full name and address! Happy Thanksgiving!

Wow! I talked about this last year and it has just gotten worse! Mass texting on holidays such as this. Kind of takes all the personal love and charm out of the holiday, don't you think? Especially when you get the well wishes from people you haven't spoken to in years and you know that you just happen to be in their phone. I actually created a reply that reads "Auto Mass Text Response: Same to you!" Either way, here is my mass communication to you guys! Happy Thanksgiving!!! HAHA... At least you came here to read it and I didn't shove it down your throats. I do hope you have a beautiful day. I am having two Thanksgivings today and tonight. First I roll over to Dad's and see my family and watch the lovable dysfunction take place. In fact, I'll probably add to it quite a bit. It's not a true Thanksgiving without a strong dose of family dysfunction. The good news is that we love our dysfunction over at my place. We accept each other for who we are and that is, oddly enough, one of the things I am grateful for this year. Johnny and I even try our best to crank it up a notch to get reactions out of family members but they are by now, so numb and calloused by our completely inappropriate behavior that it is usually met with very little notice... As if we were washing dishes. (Actually, if we washed a dish... People might start to worry! Better not cause any alarm today, you know, for their sake.) After Dad's I am going over to Todd's family's home to add to the chaos going on over there. What am I thankful for today? Mainly my friends and family and the people I work with... Larissa and Rick, The Newman Family, The Jane's team, The Camp Freddy Team, Skribble and Mello... The people who keep me grounded and inspire me creatively!

The new Dark Matter from last night should be up soon. Congratulations to all the winners last night including Jo, Danielle and Kurt. See you guys at upcoming shows. BTW: I spoke to Dan, my tech, from Grace and Manners last night during the radio show. He said he would answer some gear related questions in a new "Ask Dan" section of this blog. Let's not overwhelm him... I'll start by submitting 5 questions.

November 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM | Comments (19)

Dark Matter Tonight

Bobby Heinson +1 and Jim Scolastico +1 - See you in Portland OR on Wed Dec 3rd at The Refectory.

Finally, LA has some rain and overcast skies and it actually feels like November around here. We had definitely been seeing the results of global warming as temperatures reached the low 90s earlier this month. On some days it felt like the end of the world was upon us, especially with all the smoke in the air from the fires. A little weather is a most welcomed event this Thanksgiving. Tonight on Dark Matter (Wed 12a-2a Indie 103.1FM) we have an in studio performance from Grace & Manners. We will also, of course, be taking your calls throughout the show at 877-900-1031. I was able to get a few of the Jane's Addiction El Cid posters so I will be giving those out on the show as well as several pairs of tickets for the upcoming Camp Freddy residency at The Roxy this December.

Dan, my tech, and I got to the bottom of the issue with with my guitar cutting out during Then She Did the other night. BAD CABLE! We got in touch with Hugh over at Planet Waves and they are seeing to it that this never happens again. Thanks Hugh! "Somewhere along the line I have developed a habit of spinning around onstage and running beyond my cable length, two things that will destroy a cable for sure... And I have destroyed hundreds over my career. Cables usually decide to give out right in the middle of a song in front of a live audience, as if they have a mind of their own. I have tried countless wireless devices, but I prefer the confidence and non radio interference of connectivity with a cable. I now insist on using Planet Waves cables. Durable, dependable and crafted especially for players who are just as hard on their gear as much as they need to rely on it."

Speaking of gear. I have been asked about the need for two delay pedals. One is simply for delay and the other is only used for sweeping regeneration noise. I really only use the second one once in a blue moon. As for the first? Clearly I use THAT as much as possible!

November 26, 2008 at 01:24 PM | Comments (15)

Answers

1. Any plans in the near future to make it out to the East Coast?

As of now I don't have any East Coast travel plans. I had to think about it for a minute cause the East Coast is actually more than Manhattan. I know, it's a typical LA way of thinking but I was born and raised here. Of course, there is always upstate New York too! Oh and Miami. That's it, right?

2. Can you leak some surprise guests for the upcoming CF shows?

Now wouldn't that spoil the surprise? Besides, I like a surprise myself from time to time... So, I never find out who is coming until they walk out on stage, that way each song feels like Christmas morning.

3. Any chance of getting more Dark Matter podcasts posted?

Yes. They are posted each week on the right side of this page under Dark Matter.

4. Any updates on what's happening with SpreadTV?

I have basically gone on strike until they can produce Rachel Miner as a guest. Well, that... And the people over at Mania have decided to do some kind of "restructuring" and corporate stuff involving meetings and conference rooms and site revisions and a whole bunch of stuff that I don't really care to know about because the very mention of it all makes me sleepy. In short, we are on hiatus until January. Here is a peak at the new site.

5. What are your thoughts on Hillary being the Sec of State?

I think it is awesome! Obama has said many times throughout the campaign that he is a huge fan of Lincoln and planned to take a page from the Lincoln administration by appointing his opponents to work closely with him. Hilary brings her "presidential" capabilities to the position. It is good to see that Obama is keeping his word already on this one. Maybe, while he's at it, he can appoint Joe the Plumber to actually do the plumbing at the White House. "Sorry Joe, this one is backed up again! Better get the snake. I know you were outspoken against me during the campaign but here is an opportunity for you to give back and clean up my s*#t!"

November 24, 2008 at 05:19 PM | Comments (12)

J Mello-Dark Matter-Questions

Good morning. We had a great time at Shark Club playing with J Mello. I saw Amber and Kim and some other friends but I didn't get a chance to meet Ryan and Andrew. J and I are playing again in Portland OR on Wed Dec 3rd at The Refectory. Once again, if anyone would like to come to this show let me know and I will hook it up. What is my connection with J Mello? Well, I met him through DJ Skribble and he has joined us for several performances over the past year. Since then, he and I have done some work on his upcoming album which should be out sometime early next year. In short, he is an artist that I believe in as he has an undeniable stage presence and is coming from such an honest place lyrically. The son of a founding member of Kool and the Gang, J takes elements of hip hop, R & B, dance, goth, rock and fuses them together with musical mash-ups and original compositions to create a unique bed for his melodic and sometimes painful stories. You can find out more about J Mello on his MySpace Page.

This week on Dark Matter (Wed 12a-2a Indie 103.1FM) we have an in studio performance from Grace & Manners. We will also, of course, be taking your calls throughout the show at 877-900-1031.

I'd be happy to take some questions today, (I know... I haven't been very good at this) provided they are questions I can answer.

November 24, 2008 at 09:50 AM | Comments (23)

El Cid

(photo: Wendybird) Just got home from the El Cid show. Christopher David Lisk and Jordan Helman (the blog and Dark Matter winners)... Did everything go OK? I saw Wendybird front and center so I know she got in. The show went really well... During Then She Did, some kind of ghost invaded the circuitry in my amp and pretty much shut it down. We managed to get through it thanks to Dan, my tech, and the skills of my band mates. With Perkins and Avery as the rhythm section, things just keep moving along regardless of any technical issue. After Then She Did, Perry's amazing ability to captivate any room allowed him to engage the audience for 5-10 minutes while my equipment was being repaired. Once Dan solved the issue, we were back in the swing. The set was: Whores, Trip Away, Standing in the Shower, Mountain, Ain't No Right, No One's Leaving, Then She Did, 1%, Stop, Had A Dad, Ocean, Chip Away- There were rumors online that the show was for friends and family only... That was NOT the case. Here is the call I made to El Cid when I found this out on Dark Matter:

Call to El Cid

I know that some people didn't make it in, but overall the night was much smoother than the La Cita show in terms of getting the fans in. Wristbands were handed out to the people waiting in line during the day to assure entry. I have to hand it to our management team and crew for seeing to our concerns about this.

The whole night really felt like the old days... the music, the line up, the fans, christmas lights, candles, a hot little club, things breaking down on stage, the entire audience singing along with every word of the set... What a spectacular way to spend a Thursday night! Thank you to everyone who came down to support us. A few people have asked about the posters that were handed out. I'll see if I can scrape a couple up and give them out on Dark Matter next Wednesday. They really are beautiful.

BTW: Tomorrow, J Mello and I are playing in Orange County at The Shark Club 841 Baker St. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - I have Kim + 1, who called into the show last week, on the list. I can add two more people if anyone here is in the area and interested.

Got it! Ryan Ramon Valdes + 1, Andrew Jarrin + 1, Amber Horner + 1 - See you guys tomorrow

November 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM | Comments (45)

Dark Matter - Jane's

Tonight is a new Dark Matter on Indie 103.1FM 12a-2a PST. If you are in the LA area and happen to listening, I will be giving away a pair of tickets to the Jane's Addiction show tomorrow night at El Cid (4212 W Sunset Blvd LA CA 90029) in Los Angeles. We are scheduled to go on around 11:00pm -

On Saturday, J Mello and I are playing in Orange County at The Shark Club 841 Baker St. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - I will also be giving a pair of tickets away to this on the show tonight.

November 19, 2008 at 10:59 AM | Comments (37)

Sunday

The first person in the LA area to post their full name below will be given a pair of tickets to attend the show at El Cid on November 20th. I will be giving out another pair on Wednesday evening live on Dark Matter - Indie 103.1FM (12a-2a). Other than that, not a whole lot going on today. Just got back from Mexico City where Skribble, Slynkee and I played our set, but sadly, J Mello was unable to attend... He was certainly missed, but we pushed through and had a terrific time. Sunday usually means question time so if you have them throw them at me.

Looks like Christopher David Lisk and a guest! Chris... Will you for sure be able to make this show?

November 16, 2008 at 11:30 AM | Comments (46)

Jane's Addiction 2

I'm in Mexico City this weekend playing with Skribble, Slynkee and J Mello, so I'm sure there will be better information out there in terms of specifics on this: Jane's is doing another show in Los Angeles on November 20th at El Cid. At the moment I don't have any information on ticket availability or time, but I'm sure it will be made available before I get back to a computer. If not, I will for sure post it as soon as I can. I do know that this will be another intimate setting much like the La Cita show, however, the venue is a bit larger. Hopefully we can all avoid another fire masrshal fiasco!

November 13, 2008 at 10:56 PM | Comments (11)

Olbermann/Dark Matter

If you missed last night's Dark Matter, it should be up at some point today on 6767.com. I gave out 3 signed Shepard Fairey posters and even had them sign by the members of Jane's Addiction. I also gave out a copy of Eric Avery's Help Wanted solo CD. Earlier in the evening I went over to West Hollywood and marched in the protest against Prop 8. It was an amazing experience to be among so many people fighting for this human rights cause... One that should really be a non-issue. The streets were flooded with such a cross section of humanity. Gay, straight, black, white, Hispanic, etc... At one point I turned to someone next to me and said, "This is such a powerful protest to be a part of... Although I can't believe we have to fight for equality in this is this day and age!" The guy said, "Welcome to my world, Dave." If the deal is that we are to keep church and state separate, then why don't we? Like I said on Dark Matter last night: What does anyone care? Even if they have a problem with homosexuality, why don't they just go about their lives and let others live theirs?

November 13, 2008 at 10:52 AM | Comments (28)

This Week - Sasha Grey

This week on Dark Matter (Indie 103.1FM 12a-2a) I have adult film star Sasha Grey in the studio. In addition to her work in the adult business, Sasha has been appearing in mainstream music videos (including Smashing Pumpkins) and has also secured a role in an upcoming Steven Soderbergh film. She also happens to be a client of The Spread Group... The management company that Larissa and I run. Be sure to tune in or listen to the live stream. I have been assured that the phones will be working at the studio so feel free to hit us with any questions. Also, I have a couple of the Shepard Fairey/Jane's Addiction posters signed by Shepard that I will be giving away during the broadcast.

Thursday night at Lucky Strike Lanes, 6801 Hollywood Blvd, I am co-hosting the VH1 Bowling For Autism event with my friends from Camp Freddy. I have a close family member who is autistic, some would argue it's me haha, so this effort is very close to my heart. Tickets are $150.00 and are available by going to vh1classicbowloff.com or by calling 310-444-0100.

Friday night I will be in Mexico City performing with my pals DJ Skribble, DJ Slynkee and J Mello.

Expo Rock Show
Nov. 13 thru 16th, 2008 (Dave Navarro/Skribble performance Nov. 14th @ 10:30pm)
World Trade Center
Mexico city DF, Mexico

November 11, 2008 at 10:29 AM | Comments (23)

Dark Matter & Other Stuff

Just got back from a little trip... We were in Vegas on Thursday where I played a show at The Joint with Ludacris and Tommy Lee. We did some heavier versions of Ludacris' music featuring Move Bitch, Stand Up, Money Maker and Get Back. Then, we flew out to San Diego where J Mello and I performed at a local club called Stingaree.

1. If there’s any podcast/download available for Dark Matter… could you post it?

Yes, of course... Loop is currently working on making the radio shows available for Podcast and download. Dark Matter will be available on the right side of the page very soon but you can access last week's here for the time being.

2. Did you spend election night out and about Hollywood, or at home glued to MSNBC with some friends?

Actually I was glued to MSNBC all night by myself watching the election unfold.

3. Dave, what do you feel was the most inspirational moment of President Elect Obama's Campaign?

If I was to pin point a defining moment it would have to be Obama's nomination acceptance speech at the DNC. Overall... I was impressed with the consistency of his campaign and the class he showed throughout all the mud slinging from the McCain campaign.

November 10, 2008 at 11:18 AM | Comments (18)

Dark Matter

Here is the thing! Get out and vote today... Sure Obama is in the lead, but you never know! Dems have a history of not turning out at the polls. I know that I have been guilty of that in the past.

Tomorrow night is the premiere of my new radio show on Indie 103.1FM... Dark Matter... 12am-2am - Of course the phones will be open and I will have my friend and sometimes partner J Mello in to talk about what he is up to. More to come...

November 04, 2008 at 09:09 AM | Comments (41)