- Title: Fullerton
- Artist: Trex
- Timespan: 1996
- Theme: piano practices in fullerton
- Length: 72:12
- Tracks: 43
- Lyrics: 20
- MP3s: 43 play all locally
- Rating: **½ [2.5] (1 rating) rate this album
Track List
- I Can't Count
- Caffeinighted
- Counting Laps
- Ramanoodling
- No Added Value
- Apple
- Speed Limit
- Easy Riter
- Baby Ditty
- War Paint
- Aquaduct
- Anahohum
- Rootine
- Cheesywood
- City Driving
- Country Driving
- Nice Run
- Creaks
- I Got Monday
- Pretty Eh
- Mouth Guitar
- I Don't Really Want It
- I'll Be Okay
- Left for Dead
- Are You Blue
- Drink Less Coffee
- Brush
- Hackish Rite
- Smog Alert
- Securidad
- Snack Time
- Lunch Time
- Early in the Morning
- That Stunk
- Rise and Dine
- Halfternoon
- Lasso
- Wrist Pads
- Inspiration
- Wrist Pads 2
- Last Intro
- How Fun Is This
- You Get the Point
Notes
This is a bunch of piano jams and a cappella song ideas that I recorded in Fullerton during late 1996. I was on business travel for several months. Each day, I had lots of time to kill after work, so I'd jog (or rollerblade) to the nearby college's piano practice rooms.
This daily routine of exercise and creative productivity has stuck with me through today. I'm very thankful to my 1996 self that I got it going.
Songs
I Can't Count
- Fullerton track 1
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 3:50
- Travis Emmitt - piano, vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is a piano jam spliced together from two parts. The lyrics refer to my sloppiness. The music is okay.
I'm guessing this was recorded a few days (or minutes) before "I Got Monday". This would place the date in early October 1996, which was during my second trip to Fullerton.
Lyrics to "I Can't Count":
i can't count i can't count i can't count
Caffeinighted
- Fullerton track 2
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 4:41
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is a jam that turned a bit "poundy". When I chose the title, I attributed the banging to lots of caffeine. It's unlikely that that was recorded at night, though; I usually jogged to the piano practice room during the day. So I'm not sure what the title means; something about caffeine at night?
Counting Laps
- Fullerton track 3
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 2:38
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
My motel had a pool. Every evening for a few weeks, I swap laps. It was a short pool, so I had to swim lots of laps in order to get a decent workout.
The music is repetitive and kinda trancy, but loses it at the end.
Ramanoodling
- Fullerton track 4
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:56
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is definitely noodling. The "rama" in the title refers to my habit of eating raman noodles. I didn't know how unhealthy they were.
No Added Value
- Fullerton track 5
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 2:11
- Travis Emmitt - piano, vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
The lyrics pretty much sum up Trex. Like the music, they're completely unnecessary to anyone. However, they exist, so are documented just like all the other stuff that goes on tape.
Lyrics to "No Added Value":
no added value no added value no added value no added tunes why must you listen? why can't you just turn the tape recorder off? no added value and i am laughing because i have made you listen to me playing every time no added value no added value there's no added value there's no added value there's no added value there's no added value...
Apple
- Fullerton track 6
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:18
- Travis Emmitt - eating
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I was eating an apple, and was being intentionally annoying about it. For this and the rest of the songs, I'm not sure if they were recorded in October or November.
Speed Limit
- Fullerton track 7
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:35
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I was trying to play this simple riff faster and faster and soon reached my limit. It's pretty bad.
Easy Riter
- Fullerton track 8
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:21
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
The title is a pun on Julian Cope's "Rite" recordings. The music attempts to have the same intense trancy feel. However, it's too sloppy to maintain much of a groove for long.
Baby Ditty
- Fullerton track 9
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:35
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This simple piano ditty was kinda catchy but didn't go anywhere.
War Paint
- Fullerton track 10
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:59
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Semi-melodic banging, not too bad. I think the title refers to the aggressive, repetitive pounding.
Aquaduct
- Fullerton track 11
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:55
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
The title is an intentional misspelling; on the way to the beach I often passed an aqueduct in a Mexican neighborhood (hence the "aqua"). The music is pretty, but kinda sad.
Anahohum
- Fullerton track 12
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:41
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I lived near Anaheim, which was full of traffic. The traffic was hectic (like this short piece of music), but Anaheim itself felt boring ("ho-hum").
Rootine
- Fullerton track 13
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:10
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
When I was living in Fullerton, I became a big slave advocate of routine. Yes, it could get boring (like this song), but it allowed me to get a lot done. I recorded lots of music (this Trex stuff) but also created my first web sites, posted my first songs on the internet, and exercised enough to lose 35 pounds.
I don't know why I misspelled "routine" in the title. Perhaps I was trying to stay that routine is the root of productivity?
Cheesywood
- Fullerton track 14
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:35
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I felt Hollywood was cheesy. So was this song idea. Fortunately, it was short.
City Driving
- Fullerton track 15
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:47
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is how it felt to drive in the city. It was crazy. At the time, I wished my work were closer so that I could jog to it. After work I always jogged to dinner and chores instead of hopping in the dreaded car.
Country Driving
- Fullerton track 16
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:58
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Country driving was also a little nerve-racking because of being in the desert. However, there was more beauty to see once I got used to it; this is represented by how this song turns melodic (though slightly cheesy).
Nice Run
- Fullerton track 17
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:11
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
After swimming became boring, I started jogging every day. This little "run" on the piano has nothing to do with jogging, but I like puns, so puns you get.
Creaks
- Fullerton track 18
- recorded: 1996-??-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:26
- Travis Emmitt - sound effects, talking
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I was squeaking or creaking something, but I have no idea what. It sounds like a cross between a balloon and a fan. Maybe it was just my shoes?
Lyrics to "Creaks":
all right, that's enough of that
I Got Monday
- Fullerton track 19
- recorded: 1996-10-06
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:13
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
These a cappella lyrics are about my long distance relationship. I was in California, and "my baby" was planning to come visit me from New Jersey.
According to my records, "my baby" visited me on 1996-10-17, which was a Thursday. This suggests that the final "Thursday" mentioned in the lyrics was that day (1996-10-17).
Since I count out at least a full week's worth of days beforehand (starting with Monday), I'm guessing that I recorded this on a Sunday a week and a half before she arrived. That means I probably recorded this on 1996-10-06. It could have been a week or two (or more) earlier, but I don't think I would have been counting the days so precisely if that were case. So, 1996-10-06 is my best guess.
Lyrics to "I Got Monday":
[scat] i got monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday i got monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday i got [scat] i got monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday i got monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday i got monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday, sunday i got monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, until i can see my baby
Pretty Eh
- Fullerton track 20
- recorded: 1996-10-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:20
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Silly lyrics with fake mouth noises.
Lyrics to "Pretty Eh":
so far it's pretty eh and you are pretty eh too so far it's pretty eh and you are pretty eh too
Mouth Guitar
- Fullerton track 21
- recorded: 1996-10-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:14
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Distorted, boring beat-box noises. Mercifully short.
I Don't Really Want It
- Fullerton track 22
- recorded: 1996-10-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:25
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Simple rhythmic idea. Dumb lyrics.
Lyrics to "I Don't Really Want It":
i don't really want it i don't really need it i don't really want it i don't really need it [scat]
I'll Be Okay
- Fullerton track 23
- recorded: 1996-10-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:31
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I guess I was cold from swimming? Or else I had on the air conditioning too high? It certainly wasn't very cold outside; it was about 75 every day when I was there.
Lyrics to "I'll Be Okay":
brr it's cold but i'll be okay brr it's cold but i'll be okay brr it's cold but i'll be okay brr it's cold
Left for Dead
- Fullerton track 24
- recorded: 1996-10-25
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:22
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I have no idea what these lyrics mean. Perhaps I was refering to a road kill?
My notes say I wrote these lyrics on 1996-10-25. However, I'm a little skeptical of that date, since I left Fullerton on 1996-11-08, and there are a lot of songs between this one and when I left.
Lyrics to "Left for Dead":
am i all skinned and left for dead? am i all skinned and left for dead? [scat]
Are You Blue
- Fullerton track 25
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:18
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I probably wrote out these lyrics beforehand, because they'd be tough to remember. The bridge, on the other hand, was probably an improv, which is why it collapsed.
Lyrics to "Are You Blue":
why must i spend my time alone staring at the phone am i blue blue blue how about you are you blue? why must i dwell on the years that have long since passed am i obsessed obsessed with my youth with my youth and how 'bout you how 'bout you? 'cause i wonder if i'm the only one who ever feels nostalgia one i wonder if i'm the only one who doesn't do good
Drink Less Coffee
- Fullerton track 26
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:32
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I was hyper.
Lyrics to "Drink Less Coffee":
[scat] drink less coffee
Brush
- Fullerton track 27
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:07
- Travis Emmitt - vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
The lyrics refer to my feelings of having a "double life". I'd spend a boring day in a huge, impersonal office building staring at computers, but then after work I'd go jogging and/or swimming, play some music, and eat at fun Asian restaurants. Sure, I guess we all have lives like that, but not all of us are manly enough to sing about it!
Lyrics to "Brush":
brush my teeth and be on my way noone knows what i'm gonna do today
Hackish Rite
- Fullerton track 28
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:12
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is another attempt at creating piano trance similar to Julian Cope's "Rite" projects. It's boring, though. Very, very boring. Fortunately it's over in a little more than a minute.
Smog Alert
- Fullerton track 29
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:56
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
There was a lot of smog in California. I guess you knew that. Either that, or you're brain damaged from all the smog intake.
The music really has nothing to do with smog, but hey, it's a neat title, so it stays.
Securidad
- Fullerton track 30
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 3:39
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
The title is Spanish for "security". People were wondering about my safety while jogging through "Mexican" neighborhoods. I wasn't worried, though. I never had any problems in all the months that I was there.
Snack Time
- Fullerton track 31
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:37
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is a fast instrumental version of "Lunch Time". I'm not sure why I placed it several songs later. Maybe I recorded this on a different day?
Lunch Time
- Piano Picks track 2
- Fullerton track 32
- started: 1996-08-??
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:13
- Travis Emmitt - piano, vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is a silly but kinda catchy little piano and vocal ditty. The lyrics are shaped like a circle, so that they can be sung forever. Who would do that, though?
Some notes suggest this was written in August 1996. I'm guessing that was just the lyrics, because it appears on the tape labeled "October - November 1996".
Lyrics to "Lunch Time":
lunch time, lunch time it'll probably also be my dinner fine, that's fine maybe i'll get a little thinner, fine, look fine maybe i'll find a little sinner, mine, all mine about time, yes almost time for lunch time, lunch it'll probably also be my dinner fine, that's fine maybe i'll get a little thinner, fine, look fine maybe i'll find a little sinner, mine, all mine about time, yes almost time for lunch time
Early in the Morning
- Piano Picks track 3
- Fullerton track 33
- started: 1996-08-??
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 7:21
- Travis Emmitt - piano, vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is the piano-based demo for "First Thing in the Morning", which I recorded as Tripecac on Where's My Muse.
It's kinda sloppy (especially the solo), but the heart-felt essence of the song is definitely there. To me, this feels like the centerpiece of the Fullerton recordings.
Some notes suggest this was written in August 1996. I'm guessing that was just the lyrics, because it appears on the tape labeled "October - November 1996".
Lyrics to "Early in the Morning":
INTRO: this is just a little dinky demo VERSE: i get up early, brush my teeth and take a shower put on my clothes and have a bite to eat wave to my mirror and i try to feel empowered as i pull my fancy shoes onto my feet walk to my car and turn on the radio but they are hyper, mentally diapered they don't say anything i don't already know but they're making money quote being funny unquote CHORUS: first thing in the morning i hate them, i hate them VERSE: drive to the bus stop and i take my place in line i check my watch about 200 times i don't know anyone so i just read my book sit by myself, don't really mind finally get to work and i'm the only person there that's the way i like it; colleagues annoy me they don't say anything i don't already know and all they talk about is work and money CHORUS: i go to work and put my hours in and i hate it, i hate it i go to work and put my hours in and i hate it, i hate it VERSE: i get home early, lay around and watch tv i call my friends and talk about old times keep on wondering what has happened to me because i planned to be productive in my prime now all i seem to care about is prime time nbc my keyboard and my brain are collecting dust i don't do anything i don't already do no one to force me to try something new CHORUS: last thing in the evening i hate me, i hate me i regret the way i used the day i'm wasting, i'm wasting away SOLO: VERSE: i worry that i'm already metamorphing into something someone as boring as them i'll be just a number without creativity fattened up for slaugher like a hen they just wanna use me to solve their own problems but i can't even solve my own some of that fat i know is my own fault i'm not treating myself much better than they are i don't say anything you haven't heard before my muse is gone, my muse is dead i don't say anything you haven't heard before my muse is gone, my muse is dead i can't even solve my own oh i can't even solve my own CHORUS: first thing in the morning i hate it, i hate it last thing in evening i hate it, i hate it first thing in the morning i hate it, hate it
That Stunk
- Fullerton track 34
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:02
- Travis Emmitt - talking
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I guess I wasn't happy with "Early in the Morning".
Lyrics to "That Stunk":
that stunk
Rise and Dine
- Fullerton track 35
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:57
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Each morning I had continental breakfast in the motel's coffee room. The food was free, so I also kept some for lunch. The only food I had to buy was dinner, which was usually $4.95 buffet at the local Mongolian grill.
The music doesn't really match the title except maybe for the chiming bell-like melody (like an alarm).
Halfternoon
- Fullerton track 36
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 3:31
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This almost-pretty melody is supposed to represent the sweet fading of the day. I got out of work early (around 4 or 5), so had half of an afternoon to myself each day. It was kinda of sad to be by myself all the time, even during "fun time", but I tried to make the most of it by exploring the area and staying productive.
Lasso
- Fullerton track 37
- started: 1996-09-??
- lyrics: 1996-10-13
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 3:01
- Travis Emmitt - piano, vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This was the first vocal song that I recorded in Fullerton. I recorded it in two parts (one with vocals and one focusing on melody), and then unartfully meshed them together for this version.
The lyrics refer to an artist getting insecure about a talented girlfriend.
My notes say that the lyrics were written on 1996-10-13. However, parts of the music were recorded in September. I'm guessing the final bits were from late October or early November.
Lyrics to "Lasso":
if she writes a better song than me i'll feel so low, like my identity has been lassoed, stolen away from me oh, i'm the writer, she's the reader i'm the grower, she's the eater 'cause i produce and she consumes oh, i'm the writer, she's the reader i'm the grower, she's the eater 'cause i produce and she consumes and if the roles reverse then it's perverse but i can handle it
Wrist Pads
- Fullerton track 38
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:06
- Travis Emmitt - talking
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I started rollerblading when I was in California. Great place for it (given the weather and lack of hills).
Lyrics to "Wrist Pads":
i got my rollerblading gear on actually wearing my wrist pads as i play that's how seriously i take this song
Inspiration
- Fullerton track 39
- started: 1996-10-16
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 1:21
- Travis Emmitt - piano, vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Neat idea, except I kept coughing. I was trying to make fun of non-creative people. At the same time, I was saying that I didn't feel creative at work.
My notes say that I wrote the lyrics on 1996-10-16. I'm not sure when I recorded it, though.
Lyrics to "Inspiration":
if you've got silence then you can produce but if you've got images and voice in your head then all you can do is sit in your room watch tv and consume inspiration doesn't come on a work day inspiration doesn't come on a work day inspiration doesn't come on a work day inspiration doesn't come on a work day cubicle, cubicle, all you get is cubicles, cubicles where's the circle? where's the fuzz? cubicle, cubicle inspiration doesn't come... inspiration doesn't come on a work day
Wrist Pads 2
- Fullerton track 40
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:04
- Travis Emmitt - talking
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
I guess I felt like I had a good excuse for playing poorly (the wrist pads).
Lyrics to "Wrist Pads 2":
all right, i'll wing it this is an improv keep in mind i have my wrist pads on
Last Intro
- Fullerton track 41
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:45
- Travis Emmitt - piano
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This musical improv introduces "How Fun Is This", which was the last song I recorded in Fullerton.
How Fun Is This
- Fullerton track 42
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 12:36
- Travis Emmitt - piano, vocals
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
This is a weird, epic, abstract piano improv over which I read some notes and lyrics that I had scribbled down in a notebook. The music is all over the place. The lyrics too. Oh well.
This is the last song I recorded in Fullerton. I flew back to Alexandria on 1996-11-08, so this and all the songs before it were recorded before then.
Lyrics to "How Fun Is This":
how fun is this? 0100111 words are approximations how fun is this? the fat cat sat on a log millions of monkeys how fun is this? one over two is two over four how fun is this? if you've got silence then you can produce but if you've got images and voices in your head if you've got silence then you can produce but if you've got images and voices in your head then all you can do is sit in your room and watch the tv and consume inspiration doesn't come on a work day inspiration doesn't come on a work day inspiration doesn't come on a work day inspiration doesn't come on a work day oh no how fun is this? how fun is this? how fun is this? how fun is this? 01101101100001100 how fun is this? how fun is this? words are approximations the fat cat sat on a log millions of monkeys how fun is this? how fun is this? one over two is two over four how fun is this? if you've got silence then you can produce but if you've got images and voices in your head then all you can do is sit in your room and watch the tv and consume inspiration doesn't come on a work day inspiration does not come on a work day inspiration doesn't come on a work day cubicle, cubicle all you think is cubicle where is the circle and where is the fuzz? how fun is this? 0100110100110110 words are approximations how fun is this? the fat cat sat on a log millions of monkeys how fun is this? one over two is two over four
You Get the Point
- Fullerton track 43
- recorded: 1996-1?-??
- location: Fullerton
- length: 0:02
- Travis Emmitt - talking
- mp3: download listen locally (flash player)(HTML5 player)
Final words from Fullerton. If they were refering to "How Fun Is This", then they's a joke!
Lyrics to "You Get the Point":
you get the point