Are my headbanging days over?
I went to the doctor, and the doctor said...
Hello!
It’s been a busy run over in the O’Connor household—lots of travel, life-y stuff, and appointments (more on that soon).
Let’s hit the creative updates…
VAMPIRES ON MARS #3
The metal covers are in!
I hope the picture does them justice because they look GORGEOUS in person.
Again, huge shout-out to Fernando Pinto, Ellie Wright, Federica Mancin, Marta Gasperoni, and Federico Sabbatini for their fantastic covers.
The floppy versions are scheduled to arrive sometime this week, so we’ll be heading into the fulfillment stage soon!
I’ll keep late pledges open for a little longer, so if you want to grab a copy, it’s not too late.
SWARM OF EYES
Mixing for the EP is *crossing fingers* done!
After we officially close the books on mixing, it’ll be mastered, and we’ll put the final touches together on the whole package.
We’re going to create a launch event for the release—digital copies, CDs, a special “Japanese” import version of the EP, t-shirts, and more.
One of the things I miss in today’s music landscape is that releases just kinda…happen. It’s very anticlimactic. So we’re putting together ideas to give this release some energy and excitement. So, stand by and keep an eye out!
And speaking of music…
ON MY MIND
One of the appointments I’ve been running to this last month has to do with my neck and shoulders, and seeing what’s going on there.
Cutting to the chase: One of the X-rays showed that my C3 and C4 disks in my neck have naturally fused together!
So that’s fun.
The doctor said it may have been something I was born with or something that happened over time. At this point, there’s no way to tell.
When I asked, “Could it have been 35 years of playing music and headbanging?” He said, “It didn’t help.”
This was another moment—in a growing list of moments—that have had me thinking it’s time to slow down, if not stop, throwing my head around like a manic on stage.
In the last 9 months, I have:
Had post-gig neck soreness that lasted days, when it usually goes away the next day.
Finished a gig and felt a pop followed by a radiating, warm sensation spread from the top of my neck and out. This was followed by a nauseous feeling that built as I sat and tried to settle.
Woke up with a stiff neck that would not release for a week. I tried heat, cold, and massage gun treatment, and nothing got it to break. And this was on top of a solid amount of Advil.
That last stiff neck out of nowhere led me to see a doctor and get under the hood to see what’s going on.
I’ve also been seeing a massage therapist for close to 7 years with the goal of getting my left shoulder to loosen up.
I’ve worked with some good, strong women who have gone after these knots in my shoulder like they owe them money, and while it’s gotten better, it’s never been “fixed.”
Again, 35 years of slinging a guitar over my left shoulder have had an effect.
I knew the “needing to slow down” was coming…but now that it’s here, it’s got me feeling some certain ways.
In case it’s unclear, I LOVE playing guitar the way I play it.
Since I started playing live, I felt it was my duty to give everything I had while on stage.
I love the sweat. I love the physicality of performing metal. And while I know art isn’t a competition…I love playing a set with a “follow that” mentality.
One of the things I’m most proud of with Swarm of Eyes is that, even as the “old man band,” we put on a helluva active, energetic show.
So, if I’m not throwing my head around like a lunatic anymore…or I pull it back…then what?
It’s an interesting crossroads. One that my overthinking brain can’t wait to dive into!
And I realize I may be getting ahead of myself. I have 4 weeks of physical therapy to sink my teeth into, and some at-home stretches and routines to do, and hopefully that will help relieve the stress and tightness in my shoulder and neck.
I honestly thought I’d stop playing live before I ever had to deal with neck issues…but somehow—and luckily—my playing career has outlasted my assumptions.
I’ve said it several times—Swarm of Eyes has been a gift. I thought my regular gigging career was done before I turned 40.
Swarm will officially turn 14 in September, which is truly amazing. Over the years, I’ve gotten to play with and create music with musicians—friends—I truly admire.
I KNOW I’m a better musician and artistic collaborator because of this band.
How fucking lucky am I that at fifty-fucking-two (next month), I can still say I’m improving on my craft…on things that bring me joy…on things that I’m passionate about.
I’m just left feeling so damn grateful. Even when things get tough or frustrating, I try to remind myself of the alternative.
So yeah, we’ll see what the next few months bring. But I am left with this bigger question: If I truly say goodbye to headbanging…
…what do I do about the hair?!
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HENRY
Tracy and I went on vacation last week, and while we were away, our friend house- and Henry-sat for us.
Apparently, Henry was none too pleased with us being gone so long and let his frustration be known…by tearing up his bed.
Look, don’t tell Henry this…but I think his little temper tantrum was kinda cute.
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COOL THINGS TO SUPPORT
Blazing Blade of Frankenstein 1-4 - complete first arc!
Sword & sorcery meets gothic horror, with Mary Shelley’s monster cast as a wandering barbarian. This issue: Frankenstein vs. the Mummy!
Clay Adams from Fried Comics is a dear friend, mentor, and calming, supportive voice. So I’d be supporting this regardless.
Bonus—this series is also a TON of fun.
BLAZING BLADE OF FRANKENSTEIN is an episodic graphic novel that casts Mary Shelley's monster as a wandering barbarian fighting for the fate of a savage land.
In a world of magic, mystery, darkness, and doom, a lone hero strides the plains of fantasy. Man, monster, and myth, he is life born of science--created from death itself.
He is Frankenstein.
And the fate of a universe rests in his hands.
Grab a copy of a helluva good time created by even better people!
A Thousand Cuts #1: A brutal & bloody supernatural thriller
A sentient sword curses a young woman with a dark past, to kill or be killed, spiralling her down a path of violence, & revenge.
This is what I love about social media and Kickstarter. This campaign came across my feed, and it looked cool. I followed the link, checked out the Kickstarter campaign, and got hooked.
I really dig this bit from the campaign: This is not a hero’s journey. A Thousand Cuts is a descent—a battle of wills between a young woman trying to escape her past and a cursed, sentient sword that won’t let her! Every kill twists the blade deeper, warping her morality, until the line between survival and slaughter will blur beyond recognition.
Looks cool! Sounds cool! And this is the type of stuff we support in this dojo!
Made in Delco - A Comic Anthology
Delco: 1) An abbreviation for Delaware County, PA. 2) An attitude and way of life particular to the residents of said county.
The driving force behind Made in Delco is Jimmy Gaspero. For years, he’s spotlighted indie creators through Comic Book Yeti's Cryptid Creator Corner podcast.
And now he’s here, creating his own stories—so it’s time to reflect all the energy he’s given to the industry back on him!
He’s created this 10-story anthology with a bunch of fantastic creators, and I can’t wait to be hit with the deluge of Jimmy’s worlds.
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UNTIL NEXT TIME
What will be the update on my neck?
Will the Vampires on Mars comics arrive on time?
Will Henry like his new bed?
SO MANY QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED!!
All the best! Make the thing!
AND LISTEN TO METAL!!
I've been having some aches and pains myself! It certainly is a bit humbling. But even if you have to dial back the headbanging, you can still keep the hair. Maybe you just go the wizard route and grow the beard out too? Then you can be a guitar playing wizard! :D
Getting older sucks. I feel you, man. But awesome that you have done all you have so far, and I'm sure it's not over! Just need to find adjustments that work...