Broken Few

Hi guys. Haven’t posted for a while because I’ve been consumed with University, reading and persuing my musical dreams. What we are doing in the next few months with the band is everything Ive ever wanted to do. Its a rapturing experience for me, since all I actually care about is music. Its what I think about when I wake, and fall asleep.

Lots more posts and content at:

http://www.brokenfew.co.uk

Sheffield tomorrow. Ace.

Ordinary Days

Hi guys. Haven’t posted anything for a while, but I have been incredibly busy. As I’ve mentioned, I’ve recorded an EP with my drummer Arron which will be released via Tear it Down Collective soon. That is exciting. I’m trying to be prolific this year, and it seems to be working. I’ve contributed to the best part of 15 songs in the past 4 months.

I’ve also been really busy with my proper band. We’re edging closer to a name, and closer to the gig. I’ve been recording demo vocals for Dan all week. We did new live demos on Tuesday and they sound great. You wouldn’t know they were live. They’re tight and crisp.

I spent Easter Sunday with my good pals Jord and Greg. We awoke at Greg’s feeling very rough after a night at Industy and Independant. It was a weird night. I think all of the students were home for Easter so few people were about. We decided to go for a few drinks on Sunday. We headed to the Ivy House, talked about touring, favourite Bad Religion albums and the likes. It was a lot of fun. A local legend from Leatherface showed up a couple of hours/rounds into the session. Frankie can really tell a story. I’d met him briefly before at gig’s I’d put on. Trivia fans may be interested to know that we used his compressor on the first set of recordings my old band ever made. Should have mentioned that really.

He talked for hours about tours with D4, Hot Water Music and Avail. Hard to believe someone could have experienced so much. He’s a lucky guy. After about 7/8 pints, we went back to Greg’s for pizza (but we picked up a bottle of cider first of course.) The walk back felt like Poland 1946. Freezing cold, deserted. We wandered shivering through the Sunderland streets.

On of the best days I’ve ever had.

I’m going on a road trip with my pals Ben, Hub and James tomorrow. We’re headed to see our favourite band, Propagandhi in Sheffield, Bristol and London. Haven’t graced those locations for a long time now, so it’ll be nice to see the sights again, then finish the day off with my favourite band playing. I’ll take my camera. And some whisky. And my risky business sunglasses.

These are Ordinary Days.

A febrile shocking violent smack

There’s this band. And they make my brain feel funny. Does anybody else get that? A lot of bands from the same era do it to me actually, but one in particular is almost like a religious experience. Does anybody else feel like that when they hear a particular band? I hope so. Its a feeling of such uplifting joy. You anticipate your favourite parts… and when they drop… your brain feels funny.

When I listen to the words and the melody, it really affects me. Its almost like a chemical reaction happening in my head. Especially when these extremely erudite lyrics grace topics like confusion and delerium. Things like that. Also, when I take the lyrics in the context of the author… it all adds to the experiance even more. Were these words written while this person was on drugs or  even out of their mind to an extent? Is the same true for when the chords and the melody came together to form this hypnotic and beautiful peice? Is that somebody at their most honest?

The band I’m refering to (one songwriter in particular if truth be told) regularly addresses literary themes from the american classics in their songs. I cant help but let this factor also add to my enjoyment. Its like another layer of an onion. Is the author referring to himself in the context of the character of these novels, or is this reading too much into it? Is it necessarily the pinnacle of self indulgence to relate to the protagonist of a classic novel? An energetic, enigmatic genius?

One of the songs is about 8 literary geniuses who cracked. If the author is relating these people to himself, is that not disgustingly self important? You’d initially think so. What emerges to me is indescribable beauty. Pounding drums. Simple and extremely effective guitar lines. Hypnotic melodies and soaring harmonies. And within this musical shell is a tiny window, a glimpse into the mind of another genius.

The music is so layered, and the lyrics to poignant. I think taking the music in the context of the author is a very powerful thing to me.

I’m now discovering that the feeling I get can’t even be translated into words. I can’t accurately describe it. Its this post, and about a million other factors. Does anybody else get this feeling? A visceral jolt? A chemical reaction in the brain? I get it a lot.

How’d you like them apples?

So Tuesday was St Patricks day and the eve of Jonny’s 21st birthday. St Patricks day has, since college, been a pretty epic event for me. When I was 17 years old I got myself very worked up about the whole thing. I wore a green NOFX shirt to college and changed the images on my forum to those of four leafed clovers and leprichauns. We really wanted to go out to a certain club in Sunderland. But we got ID’d. Rich 1 was with us. Those days were cool.

When I was 18, myself, Jonny, Chris, Beth, Rich 1, Ash C, Ashley Moody, Bec and many more sat in Pure all night long. I have very fond memories of this night. It was a lot of fun. One of the truly fun nights out I’ve ever had. I miss those days. When I was 19, we went to infusion early and spent a lot of time there, then headed to baroque and various other venues. Mallan, Jonny, Chris and Dunbar were present. That was a lot of fun. It was soured slightly by a certain someone, but I don’t let that get to me really. Looking back I should have been flattered.

Last year was not so great. Lots of Leeds people around, but the night fell flat. It was a shame really. This year lived up to expectations. We hit Skates, got very drunk and danced the night away. I almost wore that green NOFX shirt for tradition purposes. I chose not to in the end. Some things are better off dead.

I edited together this video that we shot for “The Grind” about a year ago and never released. Its fairly surreal. Be warned.

Big Face Small Face

Its been an odd week. I’m almost finished University for the year, and as such, have decided its almost pointless to make the effort to attend. I am a maverick. I like to get my material, and do it my way. Thats how I work. Thats how I have succeeded for all of these years. I don’t need to waste my precious time in the presence of lecturers and people of knowledge. I take that information, and I act upon it. I figure it out in my own terms. I’m a maverick. Like John McCain. Ahem.

I’m still recording my opus. Hopefully that is 1 recording session away from being complete. Just need some lyrics now.

Speaking of lyrics, myself, Jord and Greg met up on Tuesday this week for a writing session. Greg quickly put the brakes on this by inviting us to the Ivy House before hand. Andy Malone was there and we all talked about bad gigs and “Jack’s Creation”. Funny stuff. We then took the party to Gregs house, listened to our own songs for all of 30 minutes then got the whisky and vinyl records out. I felt very poorly the next day. Jord went head first into a plant pot.

We went to Industry at Campus last night. Good to see lots of people out. It ended up being a fun night, though the bands put a damper on the experience to some extent. Still, it was a lot of fun. The next one will surely be better. I took lots of photos. Black and white makes everything look better.

A young Ronny Barker meets Art Garfunkel…

So we had a good time the other day when we travelled to Skates for an evening out and about in Newcastle. Really a hilarious time was had, by myself anyway. I love it when people I dont usually see are out, and this was one of those occasions. My friend Daniel was out. He plays in this acoustic band (see earlier posts). I talked to him a lot about bands, tours and also about doing some guest singing on my new project. I’m currently recording that right now and its going very well. I was just mixing it a few seconds ago actually.

I went down to our practice space to record at 9am today. Lots to get done you see. I re-recorded one song for the 3rd time. This time I think we captured it though. Maybe one little thing to dub over, which is a little sloppy but maybe I’ll just put that in with acousitc. We shall see how it sounds I suppose.

Also out and about was my friend Graham who is pictured above. He was in this cool band with Daniel that I never got to see and has been recording full band demos for this other acoustic dude I know from Durham. I’m excited to hear that. We’re going to see Former Cell Mates at the Angel tonight in Durham. That should be interesting. I’ll try to take some picture for the blog.

Good times. Stay positive.

Juicy Wednesdays

We decided it would be a good idea to support Greg’s Launch Night of “Industry at Campus” (though I am looking forward to the comically titled “Juicy Wednesdays” more than anything.) And it was a lot of fun. I hadn’t been to (excuse the use of such old fashioned language) Manor Quay in about 3 years and it had changed a lot from the grotty venue it once was. Its now filled with homogenised, pseudo-American clutter of the “Route 69” variety. Each to their own I guess.

I had a good night. Plenty of people out to chat with. Even young Arron Holmes. Chris Mallan was out of control and singing “Guys and Dolls” while I gave him a piggy back ride. That still tickles me. At one point I found myself reading the Guardian online. I think I actually am middle aged. £1 singles were great. Managed to limit the damage done the next day.

I’ve been recording some music for a new project which is very exciting. A huge departure from my usual crap. Its an interesting artistic pursuit that’s for sure. Lots of thought going into it. Having trouble trying to find the time to record the damn thing though. I have a couple of hand-ins this week at Uni and am a little behind on the seminar program. What a nightmare.

I have a guest Animal Rights Law lecture now. Gotta run.

Define: Instinctual Harmonies

You know what job I’d hate? Cleaning windows like these guys. Thats a photo of 3 men absailing down a glass building, cleaning windows. I’m scared of heights as it is. But to be dangled from a rope. Thats downright ridiculous. I have tried to confront my fear of heights on numerous occasions throughout my 21 year existance. I climbed to the top of the Vatican (yes. The Pope’s house) and to the top of “Les Tour De Eiffel” (yes. The Eiffel tower).

Anyway. This week lots was accomplished. I finished reading my book this month and started my next. I sat an exam in Solicitors Accounts, I submitted (and completed in 6.5 hours) a drafting assessment for Property Law and Practice and I travelled to Newcastle with my collegues Greg and Jord to get some gear fixed. Bad news price wise for Jord. Lots of things gone wrong with them there amps. My bass is pretty much okay, but some soldering is in order I think. John’s workshop is really cool. Its in some industrial space near the Offquay rooms/the cluney. Impressive array of equipment. Clearly a seasoned professional.

We decided to go on a hunt for a part which we needed to fix the door on our practice room. We ended up in an industrial estate yet again. First in a location near the port, then off to this place in Leechmeer. A bit of wild goose chase truth be told, but preferable to resorting to B&Q pricing (and sickly employees – I’m looking at you Alan.)

What else did I do this week? I practiced a fuck of a lot with my other band. I got incredibly drunk at a house party and was subsequently sick (and continued to be sick the next day). Its been a crazy productive week overall. Like I say, 2009 is definately my year. Just keeping myself busy. Set your goals, as they say.

I wrote a new song for my other band too. I hadn’t contributed musically to this band, since I’m always scared I’m eventually going to run dry of ideas. Mike says, creativity is a learned behaviour, and ideas will constantly evolve as I invest more time into creative pursuits. I hope that is true. He is a wise guy. The song that I managed to write is really great. Very proud of it. Just need to write a bunch of lyrics for both my bands. Pressure is very much on.

So it goes…

I hate this place, but I love these chords…

I’m very busy these days. My life is incredibly hectic. Sometimes you wish you could go 5 minutes without someone bothering you by phonecall, text, twitter, facebook or even MSN. For a recluse like me, its a difficult thing for me to deal with. I can get snappy when not left alone for a bit. That being said I’ve had a pretty good week. Nice to hang out with Rich and Helen, and had a good time with Greg, Jord, Jonny, Dunbar and Malone on a few nights out.

The only downside being feeling wounded the next day.

So this week is a bit of a break from that crazy lifestyle. I just want to get my assessments handed in, get some reading done, and write some good music/lyrics over the next 2 week break from band practice. I think the last one is today, then we resume in March with a full scale learning attack. This is exciting. Its all coming together in front of my very eyes.

I am having an excellent year. So far, all the things I set out to do are being toppled (except my ZNet emails! Shit!).

The new propagandhi album dropped. It is beautiful. They defy expectations every time. I must have listened to that record about 50 times in the past week. Insane. I think it will undeniably be the best record of 2009. Following them around on tour with my friends Ben and Hub is going to be crazy. I cannot wait for that, nor can I think of a better treat before my exams.

Pretty Good Year

I wrote “Athiest Peace” in the snow whilst stumbling home from a drunken night out. Isn’t that cute? Not particularly I suppose. But I did it. The past week has been fun but a lot of hard work. I’m still trying to stick to the 10 things what I think will make this year markedly better than the last, and 2 months in it seems to be working. I am incredibly busy with university, but managing to keep up (just) which is good.

I have issues when I have a drink. I can either stand back and enjoy it, or I can ascend onto some sort of higher quest for righteousness, where any little thing will be pulled apart and beated down based on the rationale that if you don’t combat that behaviour, you actively, implicitly support it. A cross to bare when you (a) are incredibly drunk and (b) end up pointlessly attacking the few people you actually like.

Thats the lawyer in me. Writing like that. It’s weird to pick up on little things like that. I studied English Language at college. For all it was boring, areas of it fascinate my somewhat. Legal writing intrigues me because I deal with it daily. It is rife with complexity, and can be either incredibly vague or painfully specific.

I’m now playing guitar in my “other band”. That is a lot of fun. It inspires me to take part a lot more and offer suggestions. I think I’m good at that. I find the process fulfilling. My enthusiasm has increased incredibly for the project.

Me and Mike watched a documentary about religion by Bill Maher. It was very interesting, and highly amusing.