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| NEWS ARCHIVE 2004
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| December 20, 2004 - Hello everyone!
Well, I am done for a while. Man, I am sooooooooooo happy that I don't have to get on another airplane again for a while. The gigs were all cool, but I am sick of traveling. Obviously, I can't bitch that much. I play music for a living, but I still don't like flying very much.
I did my last gig for the year with TFF the other night in St. Louis. It was a radio station gig with lots of other acts. It was fun, but I am bummed that we will not be doing anything for a while. The next gig booked for TFF is at the end of April in the UK. So, it looks like I will have to do other things now.
There are some irons in the fire. I will be getting out and promoting the new Spock's CD. We're looking into gigs, although I'm hearing it is to late to book gigs for early in 2005. We will still try, believe you me. We want to play, and will be working hard to get it done. As soon as Ryo and Al get back from Japan, and Dave gets home from EU, we'll be brainstorming. I'm looking forward to all the funny stories from Ryo's tour. Has anybody heard anything about Ryo's Japan shows?
There is a good chance I will be going to do a few gigs with Fates Warning in February. Fates is a great rock band that I had the good fortune to tour with a couple of years ago. They have a new CD coming out also and Europe is calling. Go to FatesWarning.com to check out all the details.
Hopefully, TFF will come up with some other things before April, but I don't know at this point. So right now it is work on Spock's Beard, a short tour with Fates, and what ever else I can do, which is how it always is, really.
I would like to thank Gruno for totally kicking ass on the TFF tour. He did a great job working for me and I appreciate it very much. Go check out studiogruno.com. He has a tour journal and pics from the tour there.
On a final note, I hope all of you that have already downloaded the new Spock's CD are enjoying it. Just know that there is a lot of great artwork and a bonus disc coming when the CD is officially released. You wont be able to download those until then :)
I remember the old days when a band I liked a lot was coming out with a new record and there was an excitement in the air. I couldn't wait for release day. I would go to the record store and buy the album and go home and put it on. Now whether the record was great all the way through didn't really matter. It was new and exciting hearing it and holding it in my hands, reading the lyrics and looking at the pictures. These days are so different. The excitement is not there because you can just go somewhere on the net and hear it way before it ever gets to the stores. Now I don't know what it does to CD sales, that's not my point. My point is that it's too easy now and people just expect it like that. Either way, I am very happy with the music my band has made for this new CD. This group came together with a bunch of ideas and saw them through to an amazing end. I love this band and am very blessed to be a part of Spock's Beard.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!! See you 2005 - NDV
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| December 13, 2004 - Octane is now available for pre-ordering at spocksbeard.com. When you purchase Octane or the Special Edition from spocksbeard.com, you'll receive a free autographed (real autographs, not mass-produced) photo of the band with each order. |
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| November 8, 2004 - Hi everybody!
Well, it's finally time. We've finished the new Spock's Beard CD, come up with a title, Thomas Ewerhard, our wonderful art director from InsideOut, came up with great artwork again, and now it's time to let all of you know about it!
The new CD is called "OCTANE", and the release date is January 25, 2005. It's a collection of 12 new songs. The first seven songs form an epic song-cycle called "A Flash Before My Eyes". Then, there are five more great tracks. We think there's something for everybody on this new record. The total running time is 55:55.
There's also going to be a special edition package released with a bonus disc that contains another five brand new tracks, three little outtake pieces from Flash, and a QuickTime video about our wacky time in the studio that you can play on your computer.
Well, that's it for now. I have to head out to my gig. Be sure to go to the Spock's Beard site for a track list, soundclips and additional info! - All the best to everybody, NDV
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| October 25, 2004 - Hello!
NDV here. Just thought I would fill you in on what is happening out here on the road with TFF. We did our first gig of this short tour on the 23rd of October in Austin Texas. It was a fun show at a very cool venue called The Backyard. It was a radio station show that also had Richard Marx on the bill. The first main gig with all the bells and whistles happens on the 26th in Washington DC. That gig will begin the start of all the production with the lights and stage setup. It should be a blast.
Another cool thing is that if you go to: tearsforfearsfans.com and click on the video tab at the top, it will take you to a page that has most of the TV show appearences we have done available for download. It is also a good web site for a lot of TFF info.
So, that's it for now. We are just getting started and I am really looking forward to the gigs.
One thing about this site is that the store section is going to be closed for a short time while new distribution is set up. The same thing is happening on the SB site also. I apologize for any incovenience this may cause but the store will be back up soon.
Be sure to go to the Spock's Beard site for additional updates.
Take care everyone!!! NDV
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| September 8, 2004 - Hello peoples!! I'm back again with a little more time to fill you in on the happenings. I've been rehearsing with Tears For Fears getting ready for some small gigs and some TV shows here in America. Their new CD, "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending" is being released on Sept 14th. We will be on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno that evening. So if any of you are up late that night, make sure you tune in. The full tour for TFF in the states starts in mid-October. I don't have the dates for that yet, but I will have them very soon and will be sure to post them here. For now, I've included the festival gigs and TV show schedule I have. I know they're working hard on something for Europe, and we should be over there in very, very early 2005. Go and check out the TFF website along with Curt Smith's website for a lot more info on everything that's happening.
The band is sounding really good. We're playing a lot from the new CD, but we are also playing some of the great older hits. I get to sing quite a bit, which makes it even more fun. So, if any of you get a chance to come to any of these things, make sure you say hello.
On the Spock's Beard front, we are getting down to the end here. Al is finishing up guitars on a few things this Friday, I go to Rich's to finish vocals and whatever else I have forgotten on Monday-Wednesday-and Thursday of next week. Then, Rich gets to finish off mixing and then.................WE'RE DONE!!! YEAH!!! I and we are very excited about the new CD. We are going to put up some bits and pieces soon so you can have a taste of what we are doing.
So, that's it for the moment. Make sure you go see Ryo live with Al in November if you're around where he's playing. I am sure it will rock very hard.
Until we meet again, NDV
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Tears For Fears Live
Saturday, September 11
KINK FM 102's Live 7 Concert
TBD
Portland, Oregon
Monday, September 13
KTLA Morning News
TBD
Los Angeles
Tuesday, September 14
Tower Records
8801 Sunset Boulevard
8:00 PM
Los Angeles
Tuesday, September 14
Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC)
11:30 PM
Los Angeles
Saturday, September 18
KROQ Inland Invasion 4
Glen Helen Hyundai Pavilion
all day fest
Los Angeles
Sunday, September 19
Now & Zen Fest 2004
Golden Gate Park
11:00 AM
San Francisco
Tuesday, September 21
Conan O' Brien (NBC)
12:35 AM
New York
Wednesday, September 22
Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC)
1:35 AM
New York
Thursday, September 23
Virgin Megastore at Times Square
TBD
New York
Friday, September 24
Breakfast with the Arts (A&E)
Taping
New York
Saturday, September 25
The Today Show (NBC)
really early
New York
Monday, September 27
Late Late Show (CBS)
12:35 AM
New York
Monday, October 18
Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
12:05 AM
Los Angeles
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| photos by Gruno |
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| July 10, 2004 - Hello! It's been a long time huh? I have actually been working. What a concept. I have been doing some promo for the new Tears For Fears record. We went around the east and west coast and played at a lot of different radio stations. It looks like the record will be officially released on Sept. 14th. So keep an eye and ear out for it. Go to www.tearsforfears.net for more info.
Right now I am writing you from my hotel room in beautiful Bethlehem, PA. I am here with the Mike Keneally Band for the Nearfest festival. We play in a couple of hours. I'm looking forward to the set today. I played this festival with SB in 1997. That was the very first Nearfest. It was a great gig then and it has grown to become a very popular festival over the years.
On the SB front, we have been on a short hiatus because of schedules but are going to resume recording next week. We are getting close to the end though. I have a bunch of songs to sing and there are a few extra overdubs but that is about it. Al has done most of his guitars and everything is sounding amazing. We are still going to try for an October release and a tour to follow but I will keep you updated because things always change a bit. But as of this moment we are very excited about this new record. I feel it is going to rank as one of our best ever. Yes I am slightly biased but I have also been in this band from the very beginning and know very intimately all the great music we have made. I feel this new SB effort is very strong and can't wait for all of you to hear it.
OK y'all, I am off to my gig. Wish me luck that I don't forget how to play that part in 15/8. - NDV
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June 4, 2004 - Hi Y'all, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that the Spock's Goatee gig at The Baked Potato on June 24th is NOT going to be happening now. Bryan Beller is still playing that night and you should all go see his show. More info at: www.bryanbeller.com. It will be awesome I am sure. The reason Spock's has to back out of the gig is that I will be going back to work for Tears For Fears!!!!! YEAH!!! They have apparently got a new deal for North America. I don't what is going on for the rest of the world, but I am sure that will come soon also. We will be going out to do radio promo for the last two weeks of June and that is why I have to miss that gig. I apologize to everyone who made plans to go. I will try and make it up to you all. Since the TFF gig went away a few months ago things have been tight as...well, you think of something really tight and that is how tight it has been with work. So, I cannot say no. Me, Al, and Jimmy were very pumped about this little gig, so we will just have to book another sometime soon. The 2 Mike Keneally gigs at CalProg and at Nearfest are not in jeopardy.
So for now it is into the studio today so Al can put down some guitars for the new record. That is still going on as planned. There was a little lull in recording after Ryo was done, but now we'e getting back into it. -Thanks for the understanding and rock on y'all!! - NDV
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| April 24, 2004 - Hello Beardies, NDV here. We finished some initial recording over a Rich Mouser's studio last Wednesday. I should really say Thursday morning, because Dave, Rich and I got out of the studio at 2:30 in the morning. That's after starting at about 11:00... THE PREVIOUS MORNING! Oh well, we were delirious but it turned out great. We have 18 pieces recorded, which includes all six pieces of the new epic. I don't think we have ever had that much material to choose from for a new record before. We are going to put out a single disc. I know some of you would like us to release a four CD set but...you will have some really great bonus songs!!! |
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| The music is running the gamut from true PROG (in my opinion) to full on ROCK. There is a heaviness to the new Spock's that is just coming out naturally and with the drum and bass sounds Rich got at his place, this CD will slam. There are times when my drums sound like John Bonham's. No kidding. I used an old Ludwig 26" kick drum that Rich has lying around his place. Coupled with his big room, the drums sound amazingly huge but clear and punchy. So much fun.
So, now I have to go through everything and get it all ready for me, Al and Ryo to do overdubs. That is always a tedious process, but it is a labor of love. If all goes well and there are no setbacks, we should be able to release this new CD in October or November and then...TOUR!!! I hope everywhere. I always wish for that, although my wishes never come true. Either way, we will be playing live somewhere. So, I will keep you all updated on the progress of the record and all the happenings.
On another note, I will be playing with Mike Keneally, Rick Musallam, and a most amazing bass player named Doug Lunn at the Baked Potato (here in LA) on May 8th. Go to www.keneally.com for more info. It's going to be a different kind of gig. Since Brian Beller can't be there, we are changing things up a bit. The first set is going to be acoustic with some Keneally, NDV, Spock's, and whatever else we can think of music.
The second set will be electric and all cover songs. I'm sure with MK leading the way, there will be some crazy fun things going on. If you have never seen or heard Doug Lunn play bass, you should make the trip out. He is a amazing and unique player. I met Doug through Kevin Gilbert years back and have done a few things with him over the years.
Alright peoples, take care. I will be in touch again very soon. - NDV
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| April 14, 2004 - Recording for the eighth Spock's Beard studio album is underway! More info at www.spocksbeard.com.
The Mike Keneally Band (with Nick on drums), along with several other prog luminaries will be playing at CalProg 2004 on July 3rd in Whittier, California. More on that here later, but for now, go to CalProgDay.com for details. Tickets are on sale there...get 'em now, they're going quick!
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| March 30, 2004 - Hey ho! How is everybody? I hope well.
Well, my gig with Tears For Fears is off for the moment while they find a new record deal. What is wrong with this world and this stupid business I am in? The story is to long, and to be honest I don't know much, but what I do know is that even the "Big Boys" get screwed. And that is just what happened. One day everything is grand and the next... We were out doing promo gigs for radio, the single got released and was being added all over the country, that cover of the song "Mad World" was and is still going nuts, their greatest hits record was #5 or #6 in the UK, there was a nice buzz about Curt and Roland re-uniting, and POOF!!!!!! All gone. From what I know, which isn't much, the guy who signed TFF to Arista got fired. He happened to be the COO of the company also. Along with him leaving the record company the passion for TFF at Arista also left and as I read yesterday at www.melodicrock.com TFF got dropped by Arista. I read an article in the LA Times that Arista was laying off just about their whole staff. About 175 employees and that the whole roster (Outkast, Pink, Whitney Houston, Sarah MacLaughlin, many more...) was going to be moved to other BMG record companies. You may not like those artists, but they sell millions and millions of records. So that is all I know. I wish I had more info. I do know that the TFF record is not dead. It is really really good and I am sure it will get picked up somewhere. I just don't know when that will be.
The shittiest part for me is that I went from having a job one day to nothing the next. I cancelled a lot of other things. My schedule was booked with them for at least 3 months in advance so everybody else I work with thought that I was going to be gone for a while and have all got other people to fill my spot. So needless to say, I am shambling big time. Kind of scary with a family to take care of and a house to try and pay for.
One good note though... Spock's is cranking out the music. We have been writing a hell of a lot and demoing out all of our stuff. So, there is going to be a new Spock's record sooner rather then later now. That's all I got so it is time to move. The music is kicking ass let me tell you. This new record is really going to rock. There are some parts that are so heavy. The big Epic which is called "A Flash Before My Eyes" is turning out amazing. As much as I always think that we should stay away from an epic on each record we always seem to do one. This record will be no exception. I think it will be close to 30 minutes! So stay tuned.
Alright everybody, thanks for reading my sob story. Thanks to everyone who has ordered the "Live and Acoustic" CD/DVD More updates soon. All the best, NDV
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March 13, 2004 - Hello all. - Today, March 13th is my beautiful wife Tiffany's birthday. She deserves some huge props for putting up with my sorry ass for all these years. I couldn't have found a better person to spend my life with and to share my music with. SO LET'S ALL PUT OUR COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS TOGETHER AND SEND HER A GIANT HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY! - NDV |
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| March 2, 2004 - Hello!!!! How is everyone? I hope well. I want to thank everyone who has written in with such nice reviews of the CD/DVD. I am lucky to have such great people around me to help put these kind of things out there. Tell your friends!! Everything else has been relatively slow. Except for the fact that both of my kids had birthdays in February and I got slammed with that, but they had fun. It is also TAX time here in the US and that sucks no matter how you slice it. Lot's of paper work and other stuff to sift through. I have my tax appointment today for the band. Here's hoping we don't owe the government any money. I think we've all paid them enough anyway. Don't you? Oh well. That is life.
Tears for Fears is even slow right now. They are going through some record company stuff that is putting all the promo gigs we were supposed to do on hold. Hopefully that will be fixed soon and we can get back out there. I know the guys are ready to go. I wish I had more news but that's all I know. I have been just waiting around to get a phone call telling me where to be. I love this business!!!
One thing that has been good in all this waiting is that I have had time to write and work on more material with Spock's. We are doing some really good things. It is fun seeing the other guys really get into it. Dave is on FIRE! There is a title to a song there I think but it is true. Where has he been hiding all these years. I'm pretty confident that we will be making a great record this year. For all you happy people in Germany there is a mail order company called JUST FOR KICKS that is now selling the NDV DVD/CD. I asked them to describe what they are all about about and I was told that "we are a German mailorder / distributor for everything that rocks" Does that mean I have achieved rocking status?! How cool! Don't forget that we are still taking all orders here for everywhere that delivers mail so keep them coming in. If any of you have been having problems with this site over the past few days it is because I have been in the process of changing servers. Everything should be all changed over now so keep coming back. I have been working on the jams page and will have a lot more in there in the coming days. Make sure to check out the www.spocksbeard.com TAKE CARE EVERYBODY!! NDV
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| February 16, 2004 - HEY HEY HEY!! How goes it everybody????
Here's what's happening on the DVD/CD front. The DVD's took a little longer to finish then the CD's. Typical, but I have no control over that. I'm on my way to pick up the whole order today. Here in the States, today is a national holiday. Presidents Day. So, all of the post offices are closed. Now I know the site says today is the official release date, and it is, just the product is being shipped first thing tomorrow morning. It's my fault. I didn't realize a long time ago when I put that date up on the site that today was an official holiday. But don't new releases always get released on Tuesday's anyway? Isn't that how the big boys do it ? :) :) I am making light of it I know, but I just want all of you who have pre-ordered to know that I can't thank you all enough and you will have your product very soon.
Not too much happening on the TFF front. We were supposed to go back east last week to do radio, but that got canceled. It looks like we're going to San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle this week for radio. Hopefully there wont be any changes. I don't know much after that. Very boring update huh?!
I went down to San Diego yesterday to do some playing, filming, and recording with the MKB band. That's the Mike Keneally band for those of you who don't know. Mike is just about done with his new record "DOG" and we were filming for some additional stuff for his DVD that will be coming with the limited edition of the record. It sounded really good. We set up in his manager's living room and recorded to Pro-Tools. 16 tracks. We should of just recorded the whole record like that:). For all of you in the SO. CAL. area, there is an MKB Band gig at the Baked Potato here in LA on the 28th of this month. Please come to the gig. It is always a great time. Go to www.keneally.com for more info.
OK everybody, thanks for your time and I will be back in touch again soon. Make sure you go and check out www.spocksbeard.com Take care, NDV
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| January 29, 2004 - Hello all, I just wanted to say thank you to everybody who has ordered the DVD/CD so far. I really appreciate it and I can't wait to get them out to you all. They should be ready pretty soon now.
I have been getting some great e-mails so far. There have been a lot of comments on how good the site looks. That is because John Boegehold totally RULES!! YEAH!!!! He 's good at it isn't he. I am very happy with the way it all turned out and I owe a lot to that man. Some other great e-mails I have been getting are about the toilet paper in Europe. I love it. Keep them coming. The e-mails have been basically about how they DO have soft toilet paper over there. Maybe they do, but just not at any of the venues I have played at. Funny subject. I love that people are writing me about it :)
I'm going to be writing more notes on the JAMS page in the coming few days. That page is about half done. I didn't realize how many records were on there I guess, so it is taking some time to really write something good about each one. I will be doing more this weekend to have up early next week.
The TFF rehearsals are going well. This should be a fun gig. I'll keep you all updated on the progress of that. Go check out the Spocks site www.spocksbeard.com I have a new update there today also. OK everybody, thank you again for ordering the DVD/CD if you have. If you haven't then jump on over to the BUY page to pick it up and be sure to tell all your friends and relatives. It will make a great gift :) hint hint......... NDV
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| January 24, 2004 - Welcome to the new website and thanks for coming. Here you'll find a boatload of info about Nick, from his band Spock's Beard to his solo work and various side projects. Check out the Jams page to see and hear examples from all the records he's played on or been involved with over the years. Go to the Skins page to see what gear Nick uses. Also, check out the extensive FAQ. Send Nick an email. Just have fun surfing around!
To celebrate the launch of this new site, NDV is proud to release his new DVD & CD NDV Live & Acoustic, both featuring Rick Musallam (from the Mike Keneally Band) on guitar and vocals. Click here to find out what songs are included, to hear some excerpts, and most importantly, how to buy these two special items which for now, are only available on this website.
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| NEW!!!! |
NDV
LIVE & ACOUSTIC
Separate DVD and CD (different songs on each) recorded live on Nick's 2003 acoustic tour with guitarist Rick Musallam. |
| Click here for track lists and more info |
| Live & Acoustic is available only from this site. Click here to order! |
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