Only clowns can record in this studio...

Hello folks,

Yes, before you ask I know the blog entries have been a little thin on the ground recently, but never fear, I’m never too far away with a quick update.

There’s lots going on at the moment (as always) and since Thriller Killer we’ve had a couple of engagements including an ill-fated acoustic show and a studio session.

First of all, apologies to people who turned up to the “While Other Bands Park Vans” gig, we had to pull the plug on that one due to technical issues that were not of our making. A shame because we’d worked hard on getting a set together for that show and I think it could have been really good. But despite turning up on time and trying out best to help out the impromptu sound engineer, we felt that the equipment provided wasn’t up to the job. So we didn’t play. In the event, it was pity because the place was pretty rammed. So muchos apologies but we’ll do another acoustic show later in the year all being well.

Onwards and upwards, as I frequently remark, and we have turned our attention to recording some new songs that have recently been invading our live set. So it was off to Noisebox studios on Easter Sunday to record some drummage, bassage and guitarage. Noisebox is one of those typical Manchester recording studios based in some freezing warehouse full of refitted PA speakers and studio gear from 1976, with limited comfort, electric heaters and massive spiders. We felt entirely at home. It was recommended too us by our friends “Orphan Boy” who recorded an album there. That evening, I started to put together some rough mixes of these two new tracks on the computer ready for electronic tweaking, string and wind parts, guitar overdubs and vocals. No idea when these tunes will be completed but I’ll be sure to post them up here for your entertainment.

Its nice to get back home and into the spare bedroom and knuckle down to some serious production because with all the gigs and the promotions, I actually haven’t had a lot of time spare, and in reality that is what I enjoy the most. The two new tracks are called “The Observatory” and “Invisible Man”. We’ve had “Invisible Man” since the Hard Rock Café gig, and “The Observatory” is the first decent tune from 2008 to appear from a clutch of ideas that came from Christmas writing sessions.

On top of that, we are still pottering around with ideas for the “In 2000” tune which I wanted to re-write due to having crap lyrics and a lack of direction, and there’s another newbie called “Goodnight, Goodnight” which I’ve just started to demo which I think might sound good – a sort of electronic Parklife/It Must Be Love cum 1920’s Ragtime. …Maybe…. Anyway, there are plenty of ideas floating around.

There are a few changes to the gig calendar – the date of the Glossop gig at the Moon and Sixpence needs to change – I don’t know when it’ll be yet, possibly August. Also, the headline show at the Ruby Lounge looks like it might have to move as well, and as this is a big event for us, I’ll be promoting this one to the max when I know the new date. Stay tuned for that one.

In the meantime, London fans need to know that we are playing The Troubadour on the 3^rd April – and that’s NEXT WEEK!! So I hope we’ll see as many of you as possible and please message me if you are coming so I can get all excited!! AND YOU CAN ALL WISH ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY IF YOU LIKE. Is that clear enough? Industry folk should get yourselves down that night too, and if I get chance I’ll be phoning round to make sure you’ve got it in the diary…so beware, the TMC bandwagon is on its way!

Incidentally, here’s a few records that I’ve been listening too this week that I love…and that have inspired recently written songs….

Blur -  “blur”  - It was never my favourite Blur album but I recently realised that the last three or four tracks are amongst the best ones they ever did – “Strange News Fro Another Star”, “Moving On” and “Essex Dogs”. I’ve got strong recollections of standing in a muddy field as Blur headlined at Glastonbury in 1998 listening to Essex Dogs and people not really getting it. I loved it, so screw them.

Crowded House – “Time on Earth”  - The latest CH album is full of classic songs with great lyrics, although the inclusion of the track “English Trees” is a mystery to me because its rubbish. Luckily, I love “pour le monde”.

Goldfrapp – “Seventh Tree” – Two or three tracks really stand out  - “Clowns”, “Happiness”, and the other one that I can’t remember the name of right now. But is it as good as “Felt Mountain”…. No. And will Mark ever stop singing “Only clowns will play with your balloons…” The boy has an obsession. Those goddamn Clowns!

Ben