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Hot Cross Buns

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Parabola

We Are The Waffles

They won't get that far

[Method of Madness]

He has a bucket.

[SirDudley]

Clearly you underestimate the power of rock, Method.

I mean, Queen nuked Apokolips. Even though it's non-canon.

[jwhouk]

I would have posted the new poll/thread, but I'm a bit busy trying to go to college now.



UW-Whitewater Class of 1989

[Method of Madness]

It's all good.  I'm happy to.

MSU Class of 2010

[Akima]

I mean, Queen nuked Apokolips.

Bismillah, NO! 

[SirDudley]

I mean, Queen nuked Apokolips.

Bismillah, NO!  

Well, not with Bohemian Rhapsody. The song used was The Show Must Go On. By a Flash Rogue named Pied Piper. Yes, a magic flute nuked a planet with the power of Queen.


That said....it was in Countdown to Final Crisis. Which....sucks. A lot. And then some.

[Method of Madness]

Well of course not Bohemian Rhapsody.  If he had used that song, the Source Wall itself would have shattered.

[SirDudley]

Well of course not Bohemian Rhapsody.  If he had used that song, the Source Wall itself would have shattered.

Still, if memory serves, that little stunt by Pied Piper is THE single-most amount of damage done to Darkseid's home world that's either canon or non-canon. Not even Superman has ever done that much damage. Yeah, Freddie Mercury has done more damage to Omega Darkseid's backyard than even the Man of Steel.

tl;dr Not even The New Gods can take Freddie Mercury at full force and walk away unscathed.

[Kugai]

Take me (Amir) down to the river.

[Method of Madness]

Did you guys do this on purpose?  Because I appreciate it ^_^

[foolsguinea]

The power of rock is pretty impressive, but sanitary napkins is funnier.

[Tova]

If only there were a scissors option.

[akronnick]

I think it may be time for Marten to find some better folks to play with.

Or just sell his guiar and be done with it.

[Welu]

I thought it would take longer for people to rip on Marten for doing the exact thing they've been ripping on him for not doing for months/years/your personal time-frame based on how long you've been in the forums versus when you noticed said ripping.

[iduguphergrave]

I think Amir and Hanners are just a little overexcited about the band being together. Chin up, Marten!


(...also Happy Comic Birthyear to me! (doesn't quite roll off the tongue does it))

[DSL]

Don't overthink it, Marten. Just do it.
Now to go follow that advice for myself ...

[cesariojpn]

Wait, how did Amir get clean? Or is Hanners learning to work with the funk?

[Border Reiver]

(...also Happy Comic Birthyear to me! (doesn't quite roll off the tongue does it))

And also the year I enlisted.

[Skewbrow]

Hmm. Looks like I will spend this comic week in graduate school. End of innocence years, kinda.

[stoutfiles]

I thought it would take longer for people to rip on Marten for doing the exact thing they've been ripping on him for not doing for months/years/your personal time-frame based on how long you've been in the forums versus when you noticed said ripping.

I personally wanted Marten to do something a little more career oriented, like going to a local college to get a useful degree.  Library job isnt going to cut it much longer.  A better career and less time sitting around the coffee shop and bar would be good for him.

"Getting the band back together" is a fun hobby, but a hobby nonetheless.  However, I'm glad he's doing something, even though it's not the best use of his time.  I guess in QC world, adding Sven and Marigold to the band makes it world famous somehow, but being grounded to reality I would not suggest he put his time into making the band more than a hobby, especially after today's comic.

[snubnose]

Haha todays comic is great ! 

[VonKleist]

I concur. But does it mean they suck?


I wish they´d get a singer and really get something started.

[Method of Madness]

Hey, just because Marten wasn't trying to make a crazy awesome song doesn't mean he didn't.

[Black Sword]

So random question, but does some ethnographer know why the tribesman found the dissonance of tuning instruments the best part?

I think Amir and Hanners are just a little overexcited about the band being together. Chin up, Marten!


(...also Happy Comic Birthyear to me! (doesn't quite roll off the tongue does it))

Happy Comic Birthyear for me too!

I would have posted the new poll/thread, but I'm a bit busy trying to go to college now.



UW-Whitewater Class of 1989

Hi dad!

[Is it cold in here?]

Hannelore has drive and is a quick study. She could reach professional competence if she hasn't already. She's nervous about performing in public but she has the courage of a bullfighter and might overcome her fear.

Marten is capable of persistence. If he sticks with guitar like he stuck with Faye, he can get pretty good if he has talent.

Do we know about Amir's musicianship?

Recruit some good people and there's real potential.

[TheBiscuit]

Hey, just because Marten wasn't trying to make a crazy awesome song doesn't mean he didn't.

Can he successfully repeat what he did the first time though?

[pwhodges]

The Lost Chord

[Method of Madness]

Hey, just because Marten wasn't trying to make a crazy awesome song doesn't mean he didn't.

Can he successfully repeat what he did the first time though?

Only if his guitar is equally as untuned as it was today.

[TinPenguin]

I wish they´d get a singer and really get something started.

Because obviously you can't possibly make music unless you have a singer.

[stoutfiles]

I wish they´d get a singer and really get something started.

Because obviously you can't possibly make music unless you have a singer.

With two guitars and drums I don't see many haunting instrumentals in their future.

[DSL]

Get Hannelore started on" Row row row your boat" and build from there.

[Border Reiver]

I wish they´d get a singer and really get something started.

Because obviously you can't possibly make music unless you have a singer.

With two guitars and drums I don't see many haunting instrumentals in their future.

fine - Get Hanners to learn bagpipes - she's already learned the drums and the gong.  If you can't make a haunting or inspiring sound on the pipes you'll at least drive away all the music critics.

[wrwight]

I thought it would take longer for people to rip on Marten for doing the exact thing they've been ripping on him for not doing for months/years/your personal time-frame based on how long you've been in the forums versus when you noticed said ripping.

I personally wanted Marten to do something a little more career oriented, like going to a local college to get a useful degree.  Library job isnt going to cut it much longer.  A better career and less time sitting around the coffee shop and bar would be good for him.

"Getting the band back together" is a fun hobby, but a hobby nonetheless.  However, I'm glad he's doing something, even though it's not the best use of his time.  I guess in QC world, adding Sven and Marigold to the band makes it world famous somehow, but being grounded to reality I would not suggest he put his time into making the band more than a hobby, especially after today's comic.

This is why you would never make it in music, though it seems that's far from your priority. Pop music (used in the general sense to separate it from orchestral or choral, what I generally call "legit music") is about 10% what you know (talent), 30% who you know (connections), and 60% combined ambition and perseverance. I was in a band for 7 years. I ended up quitting for various reasons, but the guitar player (and since I quit, the only founding member never to have quit the band) had the most drive to succeed in music that I've ever seen in anyone. He was my best friend for about 15 years or so, and honestly didn't have a lot of drive for anything else, but he was dedicated to music, specifically to the idea of his band being successful. I've never seen him work so hard at anything else.

This year, Stand Your Ground (the band I'm talking about, if it isn't obvious) has made their first national US tour a success, played several festivals, and very soon (30 Aug), they will release their Rite of Passage/Mediaskare debut album, Despondenseas. If any of you are fans of heavier music, you might recognize that record label as home to bands like Bury Your Dead, As Blood Runs Black, Reign Supreme, It Prevails, etc.

Anyway, that was quite a long tangent to say that I fully believe that music is a valid career choice, and a difficult one. Also, it's one of the most rewarding things you could possibly do.

Also, guitar, bass guitar, and drums can put together some pretty kick-ass instrumentals (especially with the help of loop pedals, and possibly laptops), but I agree that it would be better if they got a vocalist. Then again I am a vocalist, so maybe I'm biased.

[Throg]

wrwight speaks the truth. 

My wife's cousin is an indie musician -- drummer, songwriter -- and he's incredibly driven and hardworking.  Everything from video game music to musical riffs for use in professional sports to his band, going on the road, on tour, networking with music industry execs, other musicians -- he works long long hours, but at the same time he's living his dream. 

Does Marten have what it takes? who knows if Jeph will take it there, but there's already an established character who knows the ins-and-outs of the music biz.

[jwhouk]

I would have posted the new poll/thread, but I'm a bit busy trying to go to college now.

Hi dad!

That won't actually happen until next week.

[SirDudley]

Hmm...methinks Hanners convinced Marten to let Amir use his shower. That or Hanners used the fire hose on Amir. Or some combination of the two.

Anyhew, I had a feeling getting back together with the band might be a bumpy ride with a lot of rough edges around. Let's hope the trio breaks out the Sandblasters of Hardcore Rock (tm) and smooth everything out.

[Kugai]

So from the sound of it Marten made his guitar gently weep


 

[idontunderstand]

I thought it would take longer for people to rip on Marten for doing the exact thing they've been ripping on him for not doing for months/years/your personal time-frame based on how long you've been in the forums versus when you noticed said ripping.

I personally wanted Marten to do something a little more career oriented, like going to a local college to get a useful degree.  Library job isnt going to cut it much longer.  A better career and less time sitting around the coffee shop and bar would be good for him.

"Getting the band back together" is a fun hobby, but a hobby nonetheless.  However, I'm glad he's doing something, even though it's not the best use of his time.  I guess in QC world, adding Sven and Marigold to the band makes it world famous somehow, but being grounded to reality I would not suggest he put his time into making the band more than a hobby, especially after today's comic.

This is why you would never make it in music, though it seems that's far from your priority. Pop music (used in the general sense to separate it from orchestral or choral, what I generally call "legit music") is about 10% what you know (talent), 30% who you know (connections), and 60% combined ambition and perseverance. I was in a band for 7 years. I ended up quitting for various reasons, but the guitar player (and since I quit, the only founding member never to have quit the band) had the most drive to succeed in music that I've ever seen in anyone. He was my best friend for about 15 years or so, and honestly didn't have a lot of drive for anything else, but he was dedicated to music, specifically to the idea of his band being successful. I've never seen him work so hard at anything else.

This year, Stand Your Ground (the band I'm talking about, if it isn't obvious) has made their first national US tour a success, played several festivals, and very soon (30 Aug), they will release their Rite of Passage/Mediaskare debut album, Despondenseas. If any of you are fans of heavier music, you might recognize that record label as home to bands like Bury Your Dead, As Blood Runs Black, Reign Supreme, It Prevails, etc.

Anyway, that was quite a long tangent to say that I fully believe that music is a valid career choice, and a difficult one. Also, it's one of the most rewarding things you could possibly do.

Also, guitar, bass guitar, and drums can put together some pretty kick-ass instrumentals (especially with the help of loop pedals, and possibly laptops), but I agree that it would be better if they got a vocalist. Then again I am a vocalist, so maybe I'm biased.

Just want to thank you for this post, really inspirational. You rock, man/lady.


On a side note, the idea of starting a song with the guitar tuning to a chord while the bass and drums groove is a pretty cool idea. Probably been done many times, but still.

[stoutfiles]

I thought it would take longer for people to rip on Marten for doing the exact thing they've been ripping on him for not doing for months/years/your personal time-frame based on how long you've been in the forums versus when you noticed said ripping.

I personally wanted Marten to do something a little more career oriented, like going to a local college to get a useful degree.  Library job isnt going to cut it much longer.  A better career and less time sitting around the coffee shop and bar would be good for him.

"Getting the band back together" is a fun hobby, but a hobby nonetheless.  However, I'm glad he's doing something, even though it's not the best use of his time.  I guess in QC world, adding Sven and Marigold to the band makes it world famous somehow, but being grounded to reality I would not suggest he put his time into making the band more than a hobby, especially after today's comic.

This is why you would never make it in music, though it seems that's far from your priority. Pop music (used in the general sense to separate it from orchestral or choral, what I generally call "legit music") is about 10% what you know (talent), 30% who you know (connections), and 60% combined ambition and perseverance. I was in a band for 7 years. I ended up quitting for various reasons, but the guitar player (and since I quit, the only founding member never to have quit the band) had the most drive to succeed in music that I've ever seen in anyone. He was my best friend for about 15 years or so, and honestly didn't have a lot of drive for anything else, but he was dedicated to music, specifically to the idea of his band being successful. I've never seen him work so hard at anything else.

This year, Stand Your Ground (the band I'm talking about, if it isn't obvious) has made their first national US tour a success, played several festivals, and very soon (30 Aug), they will release their Rite of Passage/Mediaskare debut album, Despondenseas. If any of you are fans of heavier music, you might recognize that record label as home to bands like Bury Your Dead, As Blood Runs Black, Reign Supreme, It Prevails, etc.

Anyway, that was quite a long tangent to say that I fully believe that music is a valid career choice, and a difficult one. Also, it's one of the most rewarding things you could possibly do.

Also, guitar, bass guitar, and drums can put together some pretty kick-ass instrumentals (especially with the help of loop pedals, and possibly laptops), but I agree that it would be better if they got a vocalist. Then again I am a vocalist, so maybe I'm biased.

You understand the work needed to get a band off the ground, yet you disagree with me.  Marten is incredibly flaky, Amir himself is "questionable content", and Hanners is just having some fun.  Not one of them has the dedication to be great, and you have to be great to make a real career out of music.  I mean, Jeph can pull 180s on all his characters to make them succeed, but based on what we know about the band members they have no chance.

[Is it cold in here?]

No lack of dedication from Hannelore: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=887.

Marten would certainly have to change. If he's actually figured out what he wants from life, that change may be forthcoming.

[Tova]

You understand the work needed to get a band off the ground, yet you disagree with me.  Marten is incredibly flaky, Amir himself is "questionable content", and Hanners is just having some fun.  Not one of them has the dedication to be great, and you have to be great to make a real career out of music.  I mean, Jeph can pull 180s on all his characters to make them succeed, but based on what we know about the band members they have no chance.

We have never before seen how Marten acts when motivated by a real life goal, so I think that what we know about Marten isn't quite enough to determine whether he can make a career out of music.

From what we know about Marten, he doesn't have the dedication to make a real career out of much at all except a librarian or office flunky, so by your logic he shouldn't try anything.

I think it's a bit rich to constantly complain that he has no goals, then when he selects the one obvious goal open to him, to complain "No, not that!"

[Carl-E]

On a side note, the idea of starting a song with the guitar tuning to a chord while the bass and drums groove is a pretty cool idea. Probably been done many times, but still.

Grateful Dead, St. Stephen, from Skeletons in the Closet.  

At least, it always sounded that way to me!  

[Is it cold in here?]

We have never before seen how Marten acts when motivated by a real life goal

Does Faye count?

If a relationship with Faye had been a goal in the usual sense, he might have pursued her more directly and risked rejection. On the other hand, whatever he was doing in place of openly courting her, he sure stuck with it for a long time.

[Monkey Says Yes]

Hey, cool music stuff today!  Maybe Deathmole's onto something big!

Interesting how Marten's pursuing his love of music again as Jason and Kurt in Multiplex are going to film their movie.  Creativity!  Yes!

[stoutfiles]

No lack of dedication from Hannelore: http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=887.

Marten would certainly have to change. If he's actually figured out what he wants from life, that change may be forthcoming.

There's a difference between dedication and having fun.  Once Marten stopped, she stopped.

You understand the work needed to get a band off the ground, yet you disagree with me.  Marten is incredibly flaky, Amir himself is "questionable content", and Hanners is just having some fun.  Not one of them has the dedication to be great, and you have to be great to make a real career out of music.  I mean, Jeph can pull 180s on all his characters to make them succeed, but based on what we know about the band members they have no chance.

We have never before seen how Marten acts when motivated by a real life goal, so I think that what we know about Marten isn't quite enough to determine whether he can make a career out of music.

From what we know about Marten, he doesn't have the dedication to make a real career out of much at all except a librarian or office flunky, so by your logic he shouldn't try anything.

I think it's a bit rich to constantly complain that he has no goals, then when he selects the one obvious goal open to him, to complain "No, not that!"

-I figured getting with Faye was a real-life goal, and that was guarded flirting and then bitter resentment.  We've seen him motivated but we've never seen him give 100% effort.  I'm not sure we ever will.

-I think he should shoot for a low risk, achievable career goal.  However, it has not been said that Marten is trying to make a career out of this, he might just want another hobby.  Which is fine, for now anyway.

-When he fails, and he will unless multiple characters pull 180's, then he'll be back in the coffee shop that much older having accomplished nothing.  I wonder when characters like Faye and Dora are married off and Marten is still that guy trying to keep the band alive and working at the library.  I don't care if he has a hobby, but I want him to grow up a little as far as his future's concerned. Yes, Jeph is not going to let Marten fail at life, but if Marten was a real-life person his most likely outcome would be failing at life if he continues down this path.  If you had Marten as a real-life friend, you wouldn't be the least bit worried about his future?

[wrwight]

I thought my particular first-hand real life example of the guitarist in my old band was similar enough that yes, I see the work involved, and yes, I disagree with you. I think if Marten gets serious about the band, which it seems like he will, given Jeph's recent interview where he said he wanted to develop Marten's character, I think he can hit that exact balance of talent, connections, and ambition to really get the thing going. Having Sven's songwriting career already established is a huge benefit to Jeph in making the story arc believable, since it gives him a fairly good connection to the recording industry without having to conjure one out of thin air. I think all the pieces are in place for this to work, and I think maybe we'll probably see the band have a small amount of early success, which will ignite a fire inside Marten that we haven't seen before. Given that (as previously stated) I've seen this happen in real life, I know this isn't terribly farfetched.

[BlueMark]

Librarian is a real career, especially in an academic setting. Does Marten have any passion for Library Science? Of course if Marten wanted to do that he'd have to return to school and get at least a Masters in Library Science. Not sure that would mesh well with being an Indie rock god ... but I suppose you can't be too successful and still be indie ... but why not? Odder things have happened - Brian May went on a 30 year sabbatical in his doctoral studies in astrophysics to become a member of Queen and one of the greatest guitarists of all time - he finished his PHD in 2007 and is currently Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.  LOL, I don't suppose that sounds much like Marten, who probably aims a bit lower ... I have a cousin who went from Wall Street banker to pop star, of sorts - as a member of Straight No Chaser - America's most successful a cappella band. Ok, that's low hanging fruit, but they are pretty spectacular despite the essential dorkiness of their artform. Would it be credible for Marten to pursue a serious career ... only to abandon it at the first hint of indie success?  Hmmm ...

[Method of Madness]

I wonder if Marten will succeed in retuning his guitar in an awesome manner again?  Also, I'll be born about two thirds of the way into panel 3* in tonight's comic, if anyone cares.

*"Panel 3" implies a comic with four full sized panels.

[TRVA123]

I personally wanted Marten to do something a little more career oriented, like going to a local college to get a useful degree.  Library job isnt going to cut it much longer.  A better career and less time sitting around the coffee shop and bar would be good for him.

Depending on the economical climate of the QC verse going back to college might not be the most economical solution either. If their economy is anything like ours there would be no guarantee that there will be jobs available when Marten graduates. He'd probably have to take out student loans to attend school.

If Marten wanted to have a career that required a higher education, such as being a doctor or a physicist, then going back to school would be a good idea and he would have the drive to work hard. Marten doesn't seem interested in anything that requires a graduate degree; and honestly its probably better if those people who aren't driven would not go to grad school and leave the spaces for the passionate applicants.

The Marten we know hasn't expressed serious interest in anything except for music or writing a music blog. While he could get a masters in music composition or in guitar, or he could get a journalism degree, neither of these degrees are required to succeed or land jobs in the music industry. In fact with the time delay and the debt Marten would probably incur pursuing these degrees it wouldn't be worth it.

I

[Carl-E]

I just realized - this week begins with my wedding, and ends with the birth of my first child. 

She follows the comic, too...


Both events happened in grad school.  Two different grad schools, actually. 


Best ten years of my life!