Chris Brooks: feeding the master plan



News:
01-02-2008:
Time to stop and reflect. My best wishes go to Chris Brooks, as he tells it like it is:
Making sacrifices to get ahead in the world

The dawning of a new year is always a time for reflection of the past, hopes for the future, and that question of "what the hell am I gonna do to make this year better than the last?".

I don't mind admitting that I have not enjoyed a single year since 2002 or 2003. With a soul-destroying marriage breakdown in 2003/4 and finally divorce in 2005, followed by a couple of years of financial hardship, struggling for meaning in life, bouts of anxiety and clinical depression (which I am getting better at overcoming), interspersed with momentary feelings of great hope, encouragement and confidence that I can rise above all this and do what I feel God put me on this earth to do, its as if the devil (whether you personally believe in such things or not) has been working overtime to get me to quit.

But I won't.



The current times are tough. I've found the financial pressures of living in these times to be a huge source of sadness and worry. I feel I have very little to show for my life besides some creative achievements. Housing and rent are priced ridiculously in Sydney. Wages do not go up at the same rate as the things we buy with them. Music more often than not does not pay well anyway. Personal debt is rising in epidemic proportions and every year sees a bigger struggle for many than the last. It's a hard time to have hope in. But I do.

In order for me to get ahead of the rat race, its time to make some tough decisions and sacrifices and to make myself a priority.

I've moved out of my current apartment and will be commuting between the homes of two very caring people who have agreed to put me up a few nights per week each. I've had my phone and internet disconnected. I've sold some gear. I will keep the essential stuff in the boot of my car, a guitar at each house I will guest at, and will (after taking care of my own food and living expenses - I don't want to be mothered) pool as much money from saved rent as I can to transcend the hardships that have overtaken me in an effort to save money and regain some dignity and prosperity. I will be ruthless in getting ahead. I will be single minded in cutting every financial corner that I can. I want freedom, to create, and to enjoy life. And it hasn't been that way.

What it means for music I don't know just yet. I want to go through this year as I have described and do what I must so that I can give more to my music. I think it will be character building and a challenge - and I do love those. It's already frustrating not having a space to create though.

I will still be active online thanks to internet cafes and whatnot. And I will sure be promoting the shit out of anything I do because it's the saving grace of my sanity!

I post this purely to be honest about the fact that it's gonna take some time and work to get to where I want to be. Stay tuned.


12-11-2007:
Chris Brooks posted some recent tour photos from the War Machine gig.


31-10-2007:
Chris Brooks with the and War Machine at Gaelic Theatre - 64 Devonshire st Surry Hills (Sydney), Tuesday November 6, 8:00PM

Chris says:
"Steve is a student there and no one rotates a whammy bar quite like him - and his playing rules the dragonlands (hmmm dragonlands - good name for a power metal band!). Lots of Yngwie/Dio/Symphony X inspired material with guitar trades aplenty. I get to revisit my favorite Yngwie licks and get reaquainted with the harmonic minor modes! See you there! Chris will have CDs with him on the night if you wish to purchase one."



25-09-2007:
Following on from Kryptica, super Aussie Chris Brooks returns to stake his claim as top guitar player with this video release. Chris solos over a seemingly common backing track that has a Larry Carlton feel - not that this sounds like Larry Carlton

Chris Brooks solos over Larry Carlton style track


20-09-2007:
Chris delivers his challenging piece Kryptica from Fedd the machine

Kryptica (performance)



Masterplan: If you missed this CD the first time around (shame on you)...now's your chance to own a copy. The CD is now available again http://www.chrisbrooks.net/order.html


13-09-2007:
Chris Brooks, recorded live at The Cat and Fiddle Hotel on Sept 5 2005 with the Sydney band Feeding the Addiction.

Three Wishes solo


03-09-2007:
Chris Brooks jamming to an Em rock track that Vinnie Moore also played over for a guitar magazine. This was filmed for fun at Steve Paoli's house. This was about the 5th take and there was stuff Chris Brooks liked in each one. If it was just audio I would have combined takes to create something Chris Brooks really liked. This type of playing bodes well for the upcoming CD!

Chris Brooks Jamming in E


29-08-2007:
Another interview from the fingers of Dave B aind instrumentalcase.com... this time Chris Brooks stands toe to toe with the dedicated guitar nutter!

Chris says:
For playing, I say find your own voice. There's already a John Petrucci and at least 7,000 Yngwie Malmsteens (though only one original). It's not an easy thing but varying your influences and understanding their playing rather than duplicating it is important. In the business vein, consider all the ways that you can make money from your craft because the original scene is tough and only the guys at the top make money. Being a working musician is an admirable thing and there's no shame in playing in bar bands and doing recording sessions for musicians in your town as a means to do what you really love. If you do the instrumental thing like me, consider learning how to set up your own label because it can be profitable, and the small guitar labels out there don't have much money or resources anyway.



27-08-2007:
The new album "Ascension" by Aussie metal band Lord will starting hitting stores in Australia today. The album features two guest solo from Chris Brooks on the tracks "Rain" and "Through the fire". Chris Brooks had fun playing on the tracks.



16-08-2007:
Still a chance to help Chris win. Chris says:
My friends outside Oz - now you can vote and help me!
With the competition in the MusicOz Awards (What are the Music Oz Awards?) heating up, we've had a LOT of interest from my supporters in other countries who want to vote too but can't because of the overseas thing.

So, we've set up a PayPal donation of $0.95 US so that we can place a vote on your behalf! Because you're overseas, you wouldn't be eligible for the guitar prize, but you get the warm and fuzzy feeling inside of helping a true artist! :)

The 95 cents covers the 30c fee I get hit with per transaction. The rest goes straight on to my phone bill!!! check his web site http://chrisbrooks.net/home.html for details Thanks for your mind-blowing support! Chris


14-08-2007:
Help Chris Brooks win Aussie guitar competition. Chris says:

I'm #3, and I really want you to have this guitar! The support for my MusicOz campaign has been staggering (I'm currently in third place!), but I need your support too! And besides helping me, you have a shot at winning an awesome electric guitar with your creative and witty responses!

The Musicoz Awards are the largest and most credible awards event for unsigned and independent artists in Australia. They give vital recognition, exposure and development opportunities to Australian artists who are finalists and winners at this event. Artists are selected and judged by some of the music industries finest from major labels, independent labels, booking agents, artist managers and record producers. Artists successfully entered into these awards have the opportunity to secure a recording deal, advertising packages, National TV performance, publishing & production deals and more.

How to vote for me and maybe even win yourself a guitar!
Vote for me in the people's choice category and not only do you give me a shot at some recognition and opening a few doors, but you get the chance to win a Maton Mastersound Electric guitar with $1500! Keep it, sell it, donate it to charity - whatever suits you.

To enter and therefore vote for me in the People's Choice award at the 2007 MusicOz Awards, SMS the code chri1 (that's the letters c h r i and the number 1) and then a brief reason why you think I should win (in 10 words or less) e.g.: "chri1 he even gave God a guitar lesson!" to 19708000.

The most creative answer will win a Maton Electric Guitar valued at $1,500. The artist with the most votes will win the People's Choice National Musicoz Award for 2007. Voting is reflected in the Musicoz Top 10 Charts.

GET VOTING NOW and please repost this bulletin to all your friends! This is so important to me and I value your friendship and support!

SMS "chri1" to 19708000



20-07-2007:
Chris Brooks is writing a new CD, Chris says:
Having made a breakthough in some personal issues that just made music un-fun for me for quite some time, I've finally been getting back into writing for a new solo album. I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you'd like to hear on it.

These are the things I'm definitely doing, so no need to repeat them if you agree:

~ There will be a band instead of me playing every last note of every instrument!
~ There will be a bit more rock-fusion experimentation & chord changes
~ There will be some cool acoustic vs electric trade offs ala "Axiom", only better!
~ There will be a cover tune - haven't decided on which one yet though
~ There will be a mix of known and lesser-known guests musicians
~ I wont be hurrying this out - I have to like what I'm writing, but I would like this out in early 2008 budget permitting.


Visit Chris on MySpace to feedback http://www.myspace.com/chrisbrooksmusic

28-06-2007:
A crazy guitar CD deal coming you way...FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED TIME OFFER: Chris Brooks "The Master Plan" CD, plus Various Guitar Greats "The Alchemists II" CD!! SPECIALLY PRICED DOUBLE PACK! Includes CDs, booklets, jewel cases as normal. Our Price $15.99 for both CDs! Save $12, Ships in 3-5 days. http://chrisbrooks.net/order.html

18-06-2007:
Some training spaces available

Three lesson spots available with Chris Brooks
Body: Want to learn guitar from me?
I have some openings in my weekly schedule that will enable me to take on 3 private students. Lessons would take place in Castle Hill on a weeknight.

The way I teach:
I am a 'concepts teacher'. This means, I look at the areas of your playing that we both agree need work, and then I advise and provide material on how to develop and improve those areas with plenty of examples. I give you the tools to make your playing better and I give you practical ways of applying EVERYTHING I teach.

Whether you're an intermediate wanting to know what exciting lead guitar is all about or get some serious chops together, an advanced student who wants to find their own identity on the instrument, or a beginner who has big goals and is prepared to work at them, I can help you.

The way I do not teach:
I do not sit there with my finger on the CD player for half and hour skipping back and forth to write out licks you can find on the internet. You can get better value for your money and time by picking my brains to understand WHY certain licks, scales, techniques work and sound good. Searching for the tabs for your favorite Satriani licks is somtething you can do in your own time for free! Sure, songs are something we HAVE to look at to understand and benefit from (it is why we play music after all!), but I want you to get the most from your time in my lessons.

If you are interested in one of the rare spots, please drop me a line to tell me who you are and what you hope to achieve in your lessons. Facts that might aid me in understanding where you're at:

Name, age, location, years spent playing, goals, the kinds of things you're practising now etc...

Lessons cost $30 per half hour, but I feel they can be of much greater value than that.

Chris


15-06-2007:
Chris Brooks says:
If my CD isn't the BEST one you buy this weekend...
Body: ... then at least there's the free strings! Buy either "The Master Plan" or "The Alchemists II" CDs from the Chris Brooks store
www.chrisbrooks.net/order.html (fully secure, driven by PayPal) and get a FREE set of electric guitar strings! Please specify guage when ordering (9s, 9-46, 10s, 10-52, 11s, 12s). Offer valid for orders received within the next seven days. You must specify your guage to receive strings with your order. This is how we know you're responding to this offer!
Need more convincing? Read reviews of the music at http://chrisbrooks.net/press.html


Which reminds me I need to add this one to the recommended list too.

29-05-2007:
Chris Brooks gun for hire:

Professional guitar work on your recordings...
I've had a few requests of late through myspace from artists requesting my guitar work on their projects, so I thought I'd make it known that I AM available to lay down guitars for your demo or album projects.

What do you get when you hire me?

1. Great guitar work. I work hard on every project that comes across my desk because I don't want my name associated with shoddy work. I take the time to get it right, and then polish it up and make sure it's suitable for public consumption. Through my solo album and the other CDs I've appeared on, there are probably about 25,000 little plastic discs out there with my work on them. No, it aint a lot compared to the big guns, but I approach everything I do as thought the entire world will hear it. When you get a solo back from me, you can count on the fact that I've listened to it a million times and picked it to bits before letting it go out there.

2. Professional attitude. I treat your project with respect because your music is important to you. I'm one of the most humble and self-evaluating people you'll work with, and I pride myself on the service I give to my clients.

3. Affordable rates. You CAN afford to hire me. Message me for a quote.

4. Prompt service. Whilst you can probably understand that your project wont be the only thing on my plate, I do my best to make sure you get results in a reasonable timeframe.

5. It's easy. The internet makes this kind of recording easy for everyone. You simply give me a backing track of the sections you want me to play over, and I upload the finished guitar parts as separate tracks for you to add to your mix.

Most people seem to want to hire me for lead work, and that's fine. It's more affordable for you to lay down your own rhythm tracks rather than pay me to learn the parts you already have down to a T, but I am open to any kind of guitar parts you need.

Write to me today if there's something we can work on together. It doesn't matter if it's pop, country, shred, metal, whatever.

Chris


26-05-2007:
Another MySpace special offer for low cost CD's from Chris. NB This is a strictly limited offer to Chris' myspace friends. http://www.myspace.com/chrisbrooksmusic

13-05-2007:
Chris Brooks is looking for a drummer and keyboard player for his live band! Chris will be playing his solo prog/rock/fusion instrumental material live music around Sydney this year and he wants to put together a great backing band. He's looking for people who likes his music and want to work with him.

Keyboard player: you need great sounds ranging from sweet pianos to progy synth tones and strings. Two keyboards would be nice but one is fine if you know how to change sounds at the drop of a hat. You need to be great at soloing for trading off with Chris and your need to know your way around your scales and chords.

Drummer: must play technically enough to pull off the live material with feel and groove. You'll be the engine of the band and you need to be on with your timing, chops and odd-times. Chris likes drummers like Virgil Donati, Terry Bozzio, Mike Portnoy, Dave Weckl, Deen Castronovo.

The gigs are not massive pay days but a labour of love, musically exhilirating and an opportunity to put this kind of music in front of people that don't get to see it live very often. Initially the gigs will be every 4-6 weeks. Nothing too grueling there. You can still do all your other projects as long as you can make time for rehearsals and gigs. If your interested, drop Chris a line at MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chrisbrooksmusic


16-04-2007:
For fans who've yet to hear the full range of Chris's playing should note that Chris has added a new track from Mark Boals(one of the voices in rock):

Quite a few people have asked me to add the song I wrote with/for Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Mark Boals to my page, so I have obliged. It's the 5th song on my player.

The tune is called "Fly" and it was the opener on Mark's "Edge of the World" album (2002). It was also featured on a Frontiers Records compliation called "Rock The Bones", though they misconstrued the press release for the album (which, ironically I wrote for Mark's album promotion!) to make it look like Tony MacAlpine was the guitarist on this song (Tony played on most of the rest of the album). Vinny Appice from Heaven & Hell, Dio, Black Sabbath played drums and Erik Norlander played keyboards. The performances are a bit simpler (esp. on drums) than I wrote it but there you have it...

Enjoy it if you like lots of high vocal notes!

Chris


14-04-2007:
Also there is a special offer for MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chrisbrooksmusic friends of Chris Brooks. The offer is only open until 19th of April 2007: http://chrisbrooks.net/myspace_special.html. Take my word for it this is a great CD!

13-04-2007:

Masterplan: If you missed this CD the first time around...now's your chance to own a copy. The CD is now available again http://www.chrisbrooks.net/order.html

The CD will also be available from guitar9 http://www.guitar9.com/themasterplan.html in due course.

23-02-2007:
Chris Brooks wants you!
I will be playing my solo prog/rock/fusion instrumental material live around Sydney this year and I want a great backing band to cut the heads off our audiences.

The run down of what I need...

Keyboardist - you need great sounds ranging from sweet pianos to proggy synth tones and strings. Two keyboards would be nice but one is fine if you know how to change sounds at the drop of a hat. You need to be great at soloing for trading off with me and your need to know your way around your scales and chords.

Second guitarist - you need at least one gig-quality guitar and a decent sounding amp and effects (reverb, chorus, delay etc). *Good* combos are fine for the kind of venues we'll be playing. You'll be creating chunky rhythms, playing some odd lead lines and lots of clean chordal textures. If your playing is great but your gear aint quite there maybe we can still talk.

Drummer - I'd like to hear from any drummers technical enough to pull off my material with feel and groove. You're the engine of the band and you need to be on with your timing, chops, and odd-times. Mike Portnoy and Virgil Donati styled stuff is definitely on the menu but so long as you kick ass I'll consider you.


11-01-2007:
It's finally on it's way - The Alchemists II...Liquid Note Records (UK) presents 15 tracks and over 75 mins of guitar bliss. Chris Brooks wrote and performed the album's opening track "Unruly Elements" which also features Joe Chawki on 2nd lead guitar. You can hear a snippet on http://myspace.com/chrisbrooksmusic

Chris has been out for a while due to life difficulties...However he's now back on track taking pre-orders on the next pressing of his popular solo album "The Master Plan", which is finally going to be back in production....pre order now. Chris also says he'll be doing more stuff this year.

09-05-2006:
Chris Brooks appears on theis demo track - Chrism - Runeland: A Power Metal Saga
Chapter III: The Messenger

23-12-2006
Chris has a new track set for release this year for the compilation "Alchemists II" which will be released some time this year. The piece features some guest lead guitar by another young guitarist named Joe Chawki.

24-12-2005:
Chris Brooks was taken to hospital on Monday December 12 after a gallbladder attack even worse than the one he had in August. The doctors tried 3 days of antibiotics and painkillers to try to calm down the wayward organ enough to operate in the new year, but it had to be removed on Friday instead. Chris was released from hospital yesterday and is in good spirits despite some pain.

His web site design has been updated, Here is his old web site design:


06-11-2005:
Not new, but an interview with Chris. So when is the new CD coming?

11-08-2005:
Chris was recently invited to contribute a track to the upcoming instrumental compilation album "The Alchemists II". Chris will be submitting a couple of songs to the excellent Liquid Note Records to let them choose the best one for the album. Look out for more news on "The Alchemists II" in the near future.

16-05-2005: Chris is now working with Sydney based band "Feeding The Addiction".

Background:
Chris Brooks follows in the footsteps of Australia's finest guitarist like Frank Gambale, Brett Garsed and Tommy Emmanuel.

He got into playing listening to the shred guitarists of the mid 80's. He enrolled at Sydney's Australian Institute of Music learning new musical styles including classical, jazz and fusion.

He focused on instrumental music and in 2002 released the critically acclaimed "The Master Plan")on which he plays all instruments.



He was then picked up by Mark Boals and "Ring Of Fire". You cand read an interesting interview with Chris on the get ready to rock website.

Check out his web site for a full bio his current album
releases. Sample tracks from
The Master plan. Chris has also added some free lessons

Comments

  1. Thanks for you support in spreading the word about my music. It's truly appreciated. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
    Chris Brooks

    ReplyDelete

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