Ultima Parody Songs

Transcript from Ultima Online Celebrity Chat at Stratics, featuring Midas, 6/5/2000
(edited for readability)

<Aesop> Alrighty lets get started

* Aesop smiles

<Aesop> Good evening and welcome to Ultima Online Celebrity Chat. UOCC is a forum wherein we bring to you celebrity guests from the UO community, ranging from website administrators, OSI personnel, counselors, seers, and even roleplayers and PKs from your own shard! They drop by to answer your questions about UO, their experiences in it, and about their own contribution to the community.

<Aesop> Our system is similar to the UOHOC chats. All you have to do is /msg a designated question taker with your question or comment. However, when it is your turn, rather then a moderator pasting your question in the chat, instead we set +voice to you and allow you to talk with the celebrity guest yourself!

<Aesop> Tonights guest is Midas, from the Ultima Online Mp3 Parody site. http://www.digiphobia.com/ultimasongs/.   While we are waiting for questions lets listen as our guest introduce himself..

* Aesop pokes midas

<Midas> Haha... hi everyone!  Glad you could all make it...  Before we start, I'd like to thank the folks at Stratics for inviting me to this!

<Midas> Hopefully you guys have some questions to ask, so forward them on in...

<Midas> I guess I should do a little rap about how this whole thing got started...   A few months back, several of the regulars over at the Uhall on Stratics board were all joking about various song titles, classic songs, that they thought would make funny UO songs...

<Midas> So, we talked, and I took notes, took more notes, and we came up with an idea for one that I thought "hey, I can do that pretty quick"... so I did!

<Midas> It was really done as more of a joke than anything else... but everyone liked it so much, I did another, then another...and here we are today, I suppose. It's really taken on a larger life than I expected... ;)

<TheMAG_Eu> Go ahead {UGS}Fyren[AoTWC]

<Midas> And I think we've got some questions...

<{UGS}Fyren[AoTWC]> Are you ever going to do the Bohemian Rapsity song that you have been planning for so long?

<Midas> Haha - actually, yes!

<{UGS}Fyren[AoTWC]> Woohoo!

<Midas> I've started work on it, stopped, started again...  It's going to be a tough one to do, as you can guess.   I sort of have mixed emotions about it...

<{UGS}Fyren[AoTWC]> Why?

<Midas> When I do it, I really want it to be 'right'... and if I do it 'right'...  It'll be VERY hard to follow up...

<Midas> I might have to retire at that point.  ;)

* {UGS}Fyren[AoTWC] nods
<{UGS}Fyren[AoTWC]> Thanks.

<Midas> Thanks for asking...

<Aesop> Go ahead Carman666

<Midas> Hi Cartman!

<Cartman666> Midas, do you electronically alter your voice in any of the songs?

<Midas> Hmmm, how do you mean?

<Cartman666> You seem to have a good range of vocals and I was wondering how you did it

<Midas> Ah, well, first of all - thanks!

<Cartman666> yw

<Midas> Actually, I don't 'alter' my voice range-wise at all, that's just me, I guess.   In the recording process..   I will use electronic reverbs, and other effects... but nothing that actually alters my range, so to speak...  Does that make sense?

<Cartman666> Sure... thank you!

<Cartman666> Nice work

<Aesop> Good Question Carman =) Thank you!

<Midas> Thank you very much!

<Spacial> Go for it Pharcyde :)

<Midas> Hi Pharcyde!

<Pharcyde> Hiyas first off great work :)

<Pharcyde> What sort of class do you like to play in Ultima Online?

<Midas> Actually, a few different ones...

<Pharcyde> Whats your favorite then :)

<Midas> ;)  I have 2 that I play the most, 1 is actually Midas, who is a 'jack-of-all-trades' type...

<Pharcyde> Cool i like that style as well :)

<Midas> hiding, stealthing, alchemy, fishing - weird combination...  ;)

<Pharcyde> =] ok thanks!

<Midas> My other is a straight-ahead mage.  Thanks for asking!

<Roggy> hi!

<TheMAG_Eu> Go ahead roggy

<Midas> Hi there!

<Roggy> first of all, i love your songs

<Midas> thanks!

<Roggy> ok i have about 4 questions...

<Midas> haha

<Midas> shoot

* TheMAG_Eu grins

<Roggy> first of all, are you planning on doing more songs?

<Midas> yes, yes YES

<Midas> absolutely, yes!  ;)

<Roggy> I figured you would have lol

<Roggy> ok second, will you be doing the new songs on more current titles or classic songs

<TheMAG_Eu> haha

<Midas> Some yes, to be sure...

<Roggy> eh?

<Midas> yes, newer songs are 'in the queue', to be sure

<Roggy> ok

<Midas> I've had many requests to do some newer material, so those are on their way...

<Midas> along with some more classics too

<Roggy> if my good friend the bot allows i will continue :)

<Midas> haha

<Midas> please do

<Roggy> what titles are you working on currently?

<Midas> Wow, the list is long, actually, of things I want to do...  Actually working on... I would say... "Message In A Bottle" - with a flash video, to accompany, no less!

 <Midas> and "Losing My Connection" - again with a video... and...

<Roggy> hehe

<Krelin> D'oh!

<Midas> "Don't Smack Me Down" (Don't Bring Me Down, by ELO)... and...

<Roggy> lol

<Midas> something to Eminem's Slim Shady song, I think - may take the plunge into rap for a second or two... ;)

<Roggy> alright!!

<Midas> Oh, and Santana's 'Smooth' too. ;)

<Roggy> ok last question, have you heard of the Shadowclan orcs?

* Arithon grins

<Midas> Yes!

<Roggy> ahh, i am one of them, would you maybe think of a song to do about them?

<Midas> Ugh.

<Roggy> it would be pretty hard to do i know...

<Midas> ;)

<Midas> You just never know... ;)

<Roggy> but man would it be repeated in the fort! :-)

<Midas> Haha!

<Roggy> well, if you want too, come down as an orc on siege and check it out

<Midas> Will do! thanks!

<Roggy> thats all i have to say thx

<Roggy> rock on!

<Midas> hehe - thanks again for the questions Roggy...

<Roggy> no prob.

<Aesop> Thank you Roggy

* Joshua_Rowan waves

<Midas> Hey Joshua! ;)

<Joshua_Rowan> Howdy!  Just a quick question for you (multi-part).

<Midas> So what's on your mind, Josh? ;)

<Joshua_Rowan> Do you play in a music band in real life? And if so, how much influence do they play on your parody songs.

<Midas> Yes, I do have a band in R/L!  The name of the group is Mainframe -  you can find a link to our site at the Parody Song site

<Midas> We used to play in Dallas quite a bit, then began to focus on our original material a bit more and have been working on a new CD (hope to have it finished soon)

<Midas> As far as it's influence on the parodies... very little, actually... that work has been basically me... while not working on the CD except to say that some of the parodies are songs that I've played live in various cover bands historically so that gives me some background and exposure to the material

<Midas> I hope that soon

<Joshua_Rowan> So you play a lot of Police and Queen songs with them?

<Midas> the guitarist for the band

* Joshua_Rowan oops

<Midas> haha

<Midas> Used to play quite a bit of those, Police more than Queen... People used to tell me I sounded like Sting... *shrug*  Its a comparison I can live with, to be sure... ;)

 * Joshua_Rowan agrees with "people" :)

<Midas> thanks ;)

<Joshua_Rowan> Thanks for the answers!

<Midas> Thanks for the questions!  ;)

<Viconia> Hey Midas

<Midas> Hi Viconia!

<Viconia> What shard/shards do you play on?

<Midas> Today, primarily Chessy... When I started, I played Cats... but some friends that I met in-game moved to Chessy, and I tagged along and have been there ever since...

<Viconia> Have you ever played on Baja?

<Midas> Never played Baja - is that where you play?

<Viconia> Yea

<Midas> I've heard quite a bit about the shard - you enjoy it there?

<Viconia> Yes

<Viconia> I joined a cool guild, The Dark Tower

<Midas> that helps sometimes...

<Viconia> Maybe you should drop by on Baja sometime

<Midas> How long have you played there?

<Viconia> Also, You in a guild with Midas?

<Midas> Actually, no - Midas in not guilded... ;)

<Viconia> I played baja for over 2 yrs

<Midas> My other main character is... but the guild to which he belongs... doesn't like characters like Midas... ;)

<Midas> Midas is a fun character for me he's quite the rascal... ;)

<Aesop> Thx for your question Viconia!

<Midas> Thanks Viconia!

<Caperon> Hi midas :p

<Midas> Hi Caperon - nice to see you!

<Midas> So what's on your mind there, Caperon? ;)

<Caperon> You work a lot with titles involving looting and such. What is your views on the recent "Pvp zones" added to future uo2 or Uwo And to uo in general....

<Midas> You mean you noticed? ;)

<Caperon> Is it for who listens to the music or is it from your own expression

<Midas> Good question... I've had a lot of people ask why I do so many looting songs... roxxor songs, etc... rather than roleplayer songs...

<Caperon> minus 1

<Midas> to me, it's a question of what seems funny to me... There's just not much that strikes me as being funny about roleplaying...

<Caperon> I like roleplayingith =]

<Midas> ;)

<Midas> the whole thing for me has been, so far...

<Caperon> still havn't answered the question..... It is based more on views of pvp

<Midas> Ah, my humble apologies... ;)

<Midas> My personal views on pvp, are that I don't mind it at all - I'm neither terribly good at it...

<Caperon> np you can talk about whatchalike =] I'd like to know why looting also

<Midas> Hmmm... It seems to me... there's just more humor available in that subject...

<Midas> I don't personally agree or disagree with the playstyle... to each their own, I suppose...

<Caperon> How about a pvp server ?

<Midas> I think (for whatever that's worth) it's hard to separate the two styles... but hard to keep them together (pvp and non-pvp, that is).   I'm not sure we know yet how well strictly pvp servers will do, or even survive.  I look at the Ren patch... and I see a lot of people that aren't playing Felucca anymore - it's pretty dead...

<Caperon> That about wraps that question up i suppose.. Im just curious of your subject and how it relates in your songs

<Aesop> Thx for the Question Caperon!

<Midas> Thanks Caperon!

<Midas> Hi Sapphire!

<TheMAG_Eu> Hmm

<Midas> Hmm  ;)  Sapphire's not with us?

<TheMAG_Eu> She left us

<Aesop> Eeps

<Midas> Whoops

<Aesop> Wrong button I suppose

<Midas> I hate it when that happens  :)

<Spacial> Go for it Pharcyde :)

<Pharcyde> woohoo my second question :P

<Midas> haha! fire away

<Pharcyde> do you plan on making a cd compilation of all your mp3s on the site...would be pretty cool if it was a decent price

<Midas> Man, what a great question!

* Pharcyde imagines driving to school listening to midas on his new cd player :)

<Midas> I have been considering this and talking to various people about what would be required to actually do that: legal, financial, etc...

<Pharcyde> well it would probably be worth it :) if you did make one

<Midas> I'd love to do it - I have some ideas for artwork and packaging... ;)

<Pharcyde> how long would it take ? estimate atleast :)

<Midas> Actually, not very long at all - if I was satisfied that there'd be no legal problems... it could be released within a matter of a few weeks thereafter, I would think...

<Pharcyde> ok great..

<Midas> ;)

<Midas> so can i put you down for 20 copies?

<Pharcyde> hehe

<Midas> ;)

<Pharcyde> maybe not thatm uch

<Midas> k - 19 it is

<Pharcyde> 2 or 3 would do me good :) hehe

<Aesop> Hey pass 'em out in school!

<Midas> ;)

<Pharcyde> hey! ok will do =]!

<Aesop> Thx Pharcyde!

<Midas> Thanks for the question Pharcyde!

<Pharcyde> ill set up a booth :P ok bye

<Midas> haha

<Amber> Following up Pharcyde's question - would you publish your CD's too England and such places as well as the states ??

<Midas> sure, why not?

* Aesop grins

<Midas> the same questions would apply, with regards to copyrights and approvals... but i don't see why not... ;)

<Amber> eheh cool =-)

* Amber nods

<Amber> thats great =) thanks for that.

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> Hey Midas

<TheMAG_Eu> Go ahead

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> Got 2 questions for ya

<Midas> Hehe - hi FHLD

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> 1) Is any of Mainframe's stuff on Napster?

<Midas> I don't believe so, no - though I heard a report that a few of the Parody Songs were... ;)

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> hmm ok

<Midas> There are some mp3 samples of the Mainframe songs at our site, if you'd like to check them out... in fact, one of them is the complete song...

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> Ok now for number 2 :)

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> 2) What are your personal feelings on Ultima Online emulators? Are you planning to do any parodies on them?

<Midas> never crossed my mind - you mean the shard emulators?

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> Yes Non-OSI shards

<Midas> probably not *shrug* I did mention 'private shards' in "Prepatchday", but that may be as close as I get... ;)

<Four-Headed_Lump_Dog> ok, thanks

<Midas> *special thanks to Bim for the lyrics on that* ;)

<Midas> Thanks for the questions!

<Aesop> Thx FHLD

* Four-Headed_Lump_Dog bows

<Karac> Hi there Midas!

<Midas> Hi Karac!

<Karac> I have a quick question for ya

<Midas> ok

<Karac> maybe 2

* Karac grins

<Karac> What's your favorite type of music? and what sort of groups have inspired your music

<Midas> hehe

<Midas> Favorite band of all time would have to be The Dan Reed Network (I know, you probably never heard of them... ;)

<Midas> other influences would probably be... some of the older rock stuff like... Rush, Queen, Journey, Dream Theatre, Yes... a little bit of everything, actually... ;)

<Karac> ahhh cool!

<Midas> :)

<Karac> Thx for the answer!

<Midas> My pleasure!

<TheMAG_Eu> Go ahead cara

<Midas> Hi cara!

<Cara_DF> Hi ho I have a little question

<Midas> ok! ;)

<Cara_DF> do you yourself have been inspired by your own experiences in UO - i mean the looting ones or have you jsut chosen them cause they are the most humorous ones? :)

<Midas> Both, actually... ;)

<Midas> I confess...

<Midas> ;)

<Cara_DF> so you are yourself a mean looter? :)

<Midas> A mean looter? no - a very nice one, thank you very much.  ;)

<Amber> lol

<Cara_DF> hehe well thanks midas :)

<Cara_DF> and you still sound like sting ....:P

<Midas> Thanks!! ;)

* TheMAG_Eu grins

<Aesop> Thx for your question Cara! =)

<TheMAG_Eu> Go ahead ladydeath

<LadyDeath> Buenos nachos :)

<Midas> And tacos to you!

<LadyDeath> Hehe

<Midas> ;)

<LadyDeath> I got a request and kinda a question?

<Midas> go ahead!

<LadyDeath> First the request thingie- Can you guys make a tamer song?? Pleeeeeease?

<Midas> Hehe - could be - I've had a few requests for something like that... ;)

<Midas> Any suggestions?

<LadyDeath> Yes, in napa we say, all kill no skill :)

<Midas> ROFL! ;)

<LadyDeath> That could be the chorus! hehe

<Midas> Anything can happen...

<LadyDeath> Everyone would love it I'm sure :p

<Midas> It all depends on the original song to be used as a basis...

<LadyDeath> Ahhh

<Midas> the things I try to look for is a title and lyrics that can be 'turned'... to UO themes easily while still sounding and doing justice to the original...

<Midas> so, if I can find one that works for tamers, you bet. ;)

<LadyDeath> Do Nookie by limb bisket that could be used very funny

* Aesop thinks

<LadyDeath> And the question was your inspiration but that was asked so here's a different one

((Midas gets booted from IRC for a moment... ))

<Destiny> Rut Roh

<Midas> Ouch, that hurt  ;)

<LadyDeath> o u got booted  :/

<Midas> indeed i did... ;)

<LadyDeath> K question is  What shard do you guys play and do you still? Kinda wondering if we pked you guys heheh

<LadyDeath> Everyone told me to ask this dont take offense :)

<Midas> haha, none taken!  actually, I play primarily Chessy at the moment... you?

<LadyDeath> Napa Valley

<LadyDeath> "The trouble shard" =)

<Midas> *wonders if he ever looted LadyDeath*  ;)

<LadyDeath> Probally Hehehe

<Midas> hehe if i did.  no offense...  ;)

<LadyDeath> LOL

<LadyDeath> none taken

<LadyDeath> Thanks for hearing me out man :)

<Midas> thanks for your questions!

* Aesop chuckles

<Spacial> Oooh, my turn :)

<Midas> haha

* Spacial grins evilly

<Midas> uhoh indeed... ;)

<Spacial> What instruments do you play, and how long have you been playing them?

<Midas> Primarily guitar and keyboards (and vocals), of course...

* Spacial nods

<Midas> have played drums, but not well enough to do it in front of anyone... ;)  I've been playing piano/keys for about 20 years, I guess - and guitar for, say... 10 I guess...

<Spacial> Yup, I know how you feel (about the drums anyway), I'm musically illiterate

<Midas> ;)

<Midas> well, you know a gruntload more about computers than I do, I'll bet... ;)

* Spacial chuckles

<Spacial> Well. Thanks for answering my question :)

<Midas> My pleasure - thanks for asking!!

<Midas> And, since it looks like our time is running out, I'd like to make a quick earth-shaking announcement...  ;)

<Midas> Tonight, I'm very excited to announce... That the first ever completely original rock song composed using UWO: Origin as a theme can shortly be found at my site!

<TheMAG_Eu> Woohoo

* TheMAG_Eu claps

<Aesop> ditto =)

<Midas> Special thanks from me to Joshua Rowan at Stratics for asking me to do it...

* Neo_Orion claps

<Midas> and helping out with a critical ear...

* Spacial cheers

<Midas> I'm really excited about the song, and I think you'll like it too... so if you have a second, please head over there and check it out... Thanks again to everyone for coming - hope to see you all again sometime!

<Midas> oh

<Midas> url

<Midas> ;)

* Amber claps

<Midas> www.digiphobia.com

<Midas> you can find me there and some other great content too... thanks!

<Aesop> Alrighty

<Aesop> Thank you to our guest Midas for coming :)

<Aesop> Thank you for attending tonight's UOCC. Remember, UOCC occurs every other Monday night at 7pm CST. The log of tonight's chat will be posted tomorrow on http://uohoc.stratics.com.

<Aesop> Please feel free to join us here in #ultima-online at any time of the week for help in game, the latest UO news, or just to chat. Have a nice evening.

<Aesop> Please email Aesop@uo.com with suggestions for future guests or topics

<Aesop> Thank you all and Good Night =)

<Aesop> Midas may be around after the chat to chat with you all =)