Daedalus

Tom Pained-Music That Matters!

While the world reels and careens far away from the tact it should have, Tom Pained stands askance, modern Alt-Rock sometimes Hip-Hop artist looking towards the heavens for the enlightenment overdue. Absorbing and filtering all he/we see into melodies and rhythms of our days mutual and apart, trying to paint clearly with poetry and gall, he calls it how he views it from his hopefully objective perch above the fray.

With no certain musical age his master, like an alchemist he seeks to blend the notes of decades and the grime of the times into aural gold that will last long after his bucket’s been kicked. No mean trick it is to admit but with eyes on this prize he aims to rise to the occasion, for your pleasure and fancy, not to mention intellect and dancing as the ship is going down. Smiling from his life’s boat where muzak’s in the brig, he’s dedicated to sailing you through the straits of life public and his own, hoping that in the end you’ll see exactly what’s in his heart, on his mind in these days that just don’t seem to rhyme.

Influenced mainly by such bands as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, Van Morriison, Stone Temple Pilots, Stevie Winwood, The Stranglers, Graham Parker, as well as Hip-Hop and Rap, Tom thrives on variety of style more than a consistent sound; his voice is the consistently recognizable thread running through all he creates. This can be heard in his debut effort, the "concept" album "States" (below), which explores the various "states" of all our existences, "From love to hate/and all in between/A gamut of emotions/Through body and soul/A raging stream", as well as on the album  "Spectrum".

A clue to where Tom Pained's message is coming from is the writings of Thomas Paine, that great American patriot whose book, "Common Sense", basically ignited the American Revolution,. He once said, "The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion", a primary tenet of the concept of Democracy that so many countries aspire and have aspired to but seem to be forgetting fast. The good man would be "pained" today to see how things stand.

But along with this influence in Tom Pained's mind, some Rock philosophy once uttered by The Who's Pete Townshend eternally blazes: "Rock and Roll is always prepared to offer itself up as the tinder wood to the fire that will help burn away all the crap in this world." This is a driving force of Tom's compositions, and lyrics especially.These ideas fuel Tom's artistic "fire" that hopes to at least get people to think about how they might "burn away all the crap in this world".

However, don't be put off by all this seriousness; May you dance while thinking about Tom's message, and in the essence of his songs perhaps find some refuge from the storms, and courage to go on.

Below are previews of all Tom's songs from his 3 albums "States", "Spectrum", and "Hats Off to...". You can buy songs for $1 and the whole album for $8.00. One song, however, "Blue of Time" can be heard in its entirety because it's a very special tune: it was concieved at Bron-y-aur Cottage in Wales, England, which Tom once had the great pleasure to visit. The cottage is renowned to Led Zeppelin fans because it is the spot where the band wrote all of the acoustic songs for its 3rd and some from the 4th album, including "Stairway to Heaven".

Below are links for all Tom's videos, as well as lyrics, and information and credits for each song. All artwork can be enlarged with a simple click of the mouse.

May you enjoy exploring the website!

YOU CAN ALSO HEAR FULL VERSIONS OF A SELECTION OF SONGS FROM HIS 3 ALBUMS ON "TOM PAINED RADIO" 

https://www.jango.com/music/Tom+Pained

Subscribe to Tom Pained's Newsletter at the bottom of
this page for updates on new music and video releases.

 

Tom Pained's Music & Videos

 

"STATES" - A "Concept" Album

     

Tom Pained's "States" is a "concept"album that explores the various meanings of the word "States", and their manifestations in all of our lives. As one part of the short, poetic title track puts it:

"From love to hate
And all in between
A gamut of emotions
Through body and soul
A raging stream"

Employing an array of instruments, the songs have various genres, from straight ahead Rock to Pop to folk to eclectic to Hip-Hop and much in between. Tom Pained is an artist for today's world who is talking about the times we now live in, and will live in. His songs proffer alternative visions, well- deserved critiques, philosophical meditations, and above all, a desire to respect all views of the world, so long as their guided by a sense of decency and providence. He is not angry, just ready for change for the good of all.

 

Produced by Tom Pained.

Recorded, mixed and mastered at his home studio

CD Artwork done by Bulat Beksultanov

Song Artwork done by Tom Pained

All instruments and drums/drum programming played and done by Tom Pained, except:

"Backlash": Drums - Sebastian Schmidt, Bass - Stephan Frei; "Alternative Facts": Swiss Oergili (Accordion) - Dominik Flueckiger, Fiddle - Eve Wey; "Tell Me 'bout Your God": Electric piano - John Bauers; "What I Hate Is Hate": Clavinet - John Bauers; "Elections", "We Cannot Return", and "Blue of Time": Violin - Barbara Wilde; "Love, Come & Walk with Me": Violin - Barbara Wilde, Piano & backing vocals - Steve Loesche; "2045": Drums - Joe Reina; "Well Done": Rhythm guitar, drum programming & bass - Sean O'Gara

 

SONGS FROM "STATES"

(Click on artwork to enlarge)

VIDEOS
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Backlash 4:29 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

What I Hate Is Hate

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Power of the Press 4:53 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Another Day

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Elections 5:33 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

2045

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Alternative Facts 4:05 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Tell Me 'bout Your God

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Tell Me 'bout Your God 4:38 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Elections

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
What I Hate Is Hate 4:45 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Alternative Facts

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Another Day 7:10 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

The Times They Are a' Changin'

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
We Cannot Return 5:10 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Backlash

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
The Eyes of Heather 4:44 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

The Eyes of Heather

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Mind Full of Rain 4:15 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Love, Come & Walk with Me

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Monday Morning Quarterback 4:04 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Blue of Time

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Blue of Time 7:01 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Rocks & Gravel

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Love, Come & Walk with Me 4:41 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

Israel

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
2045 5:04 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
States 0:39 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $0
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Well Done 5:06 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

"SPECTRUM"

The Second Album

"Spectrum" is just that - 17 songs displaying a vast pallete of styles. From straight-ahead, modern, and folk Rock to ballads , folk, and pure Pop to Eclectic, Funk and even Ska, it is an effort that prides itself on variety instead of a consistent style and genre. But what does not vary is Tom's always identifiable voice.

There are a rainbow of souls who contribute to the songwriting and playing, adding even more hues to these musical statements.

Produced by Tom Pained

Recorded, mixed and mastered at his home studio

CD & Song Artwork by Tom Pained

All vocals, instruments, drums/drum programming by Tom Pained, except:

"How in the World Would I Know" & "Whatchya Gonna Do for Me?": Drums - Joe Reina, Bass & Backing vocal - Sean O' Gara, Electric Guitar & Backing Vocal - Charles Dzugan; "Rule of the Hammer": Acoustic Guitars, Bass & Drum Programming- S. O'Gara, Piano - "Rave", Backing vocals: S. O' Gara,C. Dzugan, Pained; "Roxanne": Piano - Steve Loesche; "I Wish It Was": Acoustic & Slide Guitar, Bass - S. O'Gara, Drums - Frank Giannini, Piano - Andrew Wyatt; "Still Got Hope": Bass - Stephan Frei, Fiddle - David Rimelis, Drums - Sebastian Schmidt; "Why Do I?": Bass - S. Frei, Drums - S. Schmidt; "Shapes of Things": Violin - David Rimelis; "Dear Mom": Drums - J. Reina, Guitars & Bass - S. O' Gara; "Soldier": Drums - J. Reina; "Star of Bethlehem": All Instruments - C. Dzugan; "On the Line": Guitar - S. O'Gara, Sax - Tony Salumbene, Drums - J. Reina, Piano - Andrew Wyatt; "Stavin' Off the World (Again): Lead Guitar - Ricki Koechli, Drums - J. Reina

 

All songs written by Tom Pained, except:

"Whatchya Gonna Do for Me?": C. Dzugan/S. O'Gara/J. Reina/Pained; "Rule of the Hammer": S. O'Gara; "Roxanne": The Police; "Shapes of Things": The Yardbirds; "Dear Mom": Ed Horton/S. O'Gara/J. Reina/Pained; "Soldier": E. Horton/C. Dzugan/J. Reina/Pained; "Summer Soldiers & Sunshine Patriots": Lyrics: Steve Loesche, Music: Pained; "Star of Bethlehem": Music: C. Dzugan, Lyrics: Pained

     

SONGS FROM "SPECTRUM"

(Click on artwork to enlarge)

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
How in the World Would I Know? 3:12 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Whatchya Gonna Do for Me? 3:14 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Rule of the Hammer 3:16 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Roxanne 2:45 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
I Wish It Was 3:15 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Still Got Hope 4:36 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Why Do I? 4:06 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Shapes of Things 3:11 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Take Your Liberty 4:03 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Dear Mom 5:11 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Soldier 5:19 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Summer Soldiers and Sunshine Patriots 5:12 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Star of Bethlehem 4:20 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
On the Line 4:16 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Can't Make You Mine 4:36 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Hurtin' Me 4:06 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Stavin' Off the World (Again) 4:28 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

"Hats Off to..."

A mini-album of 7 cover versions of Tom Pained's favorite songs!

This is a special set of recordings of songs Tom has loved his life long. The plaintive ballad renderings of the Police's "Roxanne" and the country legend Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again" will move you, and Tom has made the Yardbirds' iconic classic "Shapes of Things" his own with his psychedelic folky interpretation. The low-down, barebones version of the traditional tune "Rocks and Gravel" will arrest you, as will Tom's intense interpretation of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero". The full-out Rock song Harry Nilsson envisioned when he wrote "Jump into the Fire" is even more of one here, and Tom's chilling and passionate version of Bob Dylan's unsurpassable "The Times They Are a-Changin'" will open your senses to this song again.

Here’s more on each tune:

Rocks & Gravel

A traditional tune based on the version done by the Canadian folk duo Ian & Sylvia Tyson on their 1962 debut album "Ian & Sylvia". The lyrics strongly suggest that the song is a “work song”, a song which Black slaves in the U.S. sang to mock the “captain” or foreman of the field workers in such a way that he wouldn’t know he was the subject of the satire. But the song also elucidates the overall injustice of slavery.

The Times They Are a-Changin’

Tom renders this ageless and forever relevant tune rather differently than Dylan’s 1964 original. Choosing not to play a harmonica, Tom oscillates between vigorous and tender strumming, making this rendition more emotional. That it’s done on a 12-string instead of a 6-string acoustic also gives it more power.

Jump into the Fire

It’s said that Harry Nilsson really wanted to make this 1971 song rock, and although he did achieve that, Tom makes it rock even harder. Though the bass line that holds it all together remains true to the original, the guitar layers, arrangement, and middle break show that Tom has made the song his own.

Shapes of Things

It’s generally believed that this 1966 Yardbirds classic is the first environmental protest song, therefore including it on Tom's 2022 “Hats Off to…” is absolutely appropriate. The message is as powerful as it was then, but musically Tom has changed the military 2-step of the beat to a 3/4 time psychedelic folk ode of sorts, employing a sitar and strings, and especially violin, to make it so. This is a very original interpretation.

Roxanne

Influenced by a version of Roxanne that Sting performed live only playing an electric guitar on an 80’s album “The Secret Policeman’s Ball”, Tom has altered the instrumentation to a piano, and a bit of guitar. The outcome is a unique and moving version of this 1979 hallmark tune by The Police.

Working Class Hero

Tom sticks with the 12-string guitar that John Lennon used in this 1970 tour de force from his first solo album. The rigged game of life under capitalism, under “The Machine”, as Lennon painted it, is conveyed with equal force here by Tom. The addition of a violin, Celtic flute, bass, and tympani drums only add to the intensity and poignancy of this song of revolution.

Today I Started Loving You Again

It is the version by John Fogerty (of Credence Clearwater Revival fame) that appeared on the 1973 “Blue Ridge Rangers” album that Tom first heard, and it never left him. Trying to make it even more plaintive than Fogerty’s, or Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owen’s 1968 original, Tom succeeds in plucking the listener’s heart strings by emitting the pain of loneliness and longing so embedded in this great country ballad.

     

SONGS FROM "HATS OFF TO..."

(Click on artwork to enlarge)

Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Rocks & Gravel 3:28 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
The Times They Are a-Changin' 3:13 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Jump into the Fire 4:28 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Shapes of Things 3:14 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Roxanne 2:45 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Working Class Hero 4:46 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00
Title Duration listen Now Lyric Info Buy Song
Today I Started Loving You Again 3:44 Lyrics Song Info Buy .m4a $1.00

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