Practical Insanity

Musicians

Donny Gruendler – Drums (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Jody Whitesides – Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Synths/Additional Drum Programming
Jeff Van Dyke – Additional Drum Programming (12)

Video

All The Things:

Director: Byron Turk

Falling In:

Director: Byron Turk
Illustrator: Kim Whitesides

Credits

Writer: Jody Whitesides
Publisher: Too Much Music
Producer: Jody Whitesides
Mixer: Jody Whitesides
Mastering: George Leger III

Notes

Art Director: Rad Bielicki
Photographer: Ed Ouellette
Editor: Rad Bielicki

All The Things:

Meaning: We get down sometimes, the trick is to bounce back.
Trivia bit #1: A former guitar student of mine was the director of the video, while in film school.
Trivia bit #2: Was told on a major Los Angeles radio station that my backwards guitar solo was done better than something backwards by the Beatles.

Closer To Ourselves:

Meaning: Be honest and open with the people around you.
Trivia bit #1: Was told by an A&R person that the piano intro was extremely cool.
Trivia bit #2: A different A&R person said this song needed a pre-chorus that was twice as long – which is why it’s 8 bars in the released version.

Favor Me:

Meaning: Unrequited teenage love.
Trivia bit #1: Originally written for a teen female artist.
Trivia bit #2: First song where I had a breakdown chorus.

Tabloid Affair:

Meaning: We all fantasize about dating a celebrity right?
Trivia bit #1: Difficult to sing live due to the rapid fire lyrics, this is where P90X helps a lot – stamina.
Trivia bit #2: One of my favorite bridge sections – ever.

Falling In:

Meaning: Someone is so into you, they watch you sleep – not creepy like.
Trivia bit #1: The melodic guitar riff was created as a dare that guitarists couldn’t slap and pop like a bassist.
Trivia bit #2: Have been told this song makes me a victim of my own coolness.

Going Around:

Meaning: Breakup, get back together, rinse, repeat.
Trivia bit #1: To play the main guitar riff requires a 7string guitar.
Trivia bit #2: Based on several relationships I had at the time it was written.

Days of Our Lives:

Meaning: Complete compliance and adventure with your better half.
Trivia bit #1: Drum part in the bridge took Donny 20 minutes of practice time to do what I asked for – awesome job.
Trivia bit #2: A performance of this song is what got me connected to Maurice Starr.

Searching For You:

Meaning: Actress stalking at it’s finest.
Trivia bit #1: If I were to stalk an actress it would probably be Jessica Biel – but no I won’t.
Trivia bit #2: Irony, I’ve been stalked, by a guy – it’s not pleasant.

Material Things:

Meaning: Get control of your life.
Trivia bit #1: Written after an old friend went to rehab.
Trivia bit #2: The verse contains and odd chord change that was inspired by a Van Halen song.

Tracking Motion:

Meaning: Let your mind wander its own path.
Trivia bit #1: Originally written for a DVD menu soundtrack.
Trivia bit #2: Never played this live at a show, but the backing tracks to play are part of the setlist.

Splitting The Scene:

Meaning: When you’ve finally had enough of someone’s antics.
Trivia bit #1: The woman I wrote this about ended up losing all her friends, who weren’t really friends, when she latched onto me.
Trivia bit #2: My first song where I programmed out the entire drum part and kept it in a commercial release.

Say Goodbye:

Meaning: Stand tall no matter the event.
Trivia bit #1: One of my favorite guitar solos to perform.
Trivia bit #2: Was the closing song on the Practical Insanity tour – leave ’em on an energetic note.