I wish I had no penis, no sexual drives, or motives, and no alluring qualities to others. I wish I was incapable of love and hate and all the sparks in between. These cause mental loops that bend logic and position. I want to like people, a middle ground, get along in the nice world where I could be content.
I feel like that guy from the first Matirx film, the one who wanted to be wired back into the dreamworld and not remember a thing. Ignorance. Bliss.
I wish I could stop chasing stupid dreams, not have to be someone I'm never going to be. I wish I didn't have to rely on anyone else. I want to worry about debts and and homes and work. I want to get drunk at the weekend with drunken friends who talk about sport, TV and breast, but nothing deeper, without actually being dependant on alcohol.
I wish I could throw a punch without thinking, protect the honour of young ladies in distress, not care for consequence, not be a coward.
This Christmas, old Saint Nick, I would like my mind back.
x
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
...continued madness.....
Hello Again.
Since yesterday afternoon , when I started rambling nonsense about space and atoms, I have continued to confuse myself to the point where I hope I can now be calm. After attempting to sleep for quite some time last night I was forced to eventually get up, put on a light and sit in an early morning trance.
I get fairly obsessive about a lot of things, loose a lot of sleep and look grizzly for days on end, but these are usually things like recording music, my own personal future, experience and relationships with others. But over the last couple of days increasing thoughts about the size of the universe and such like has pushed my craziness buttons to new extremes. But in the end, out of all of this I think surprisingly what I have come away with is a slight opening towards religion.
I can't get my head around the idea of something being infinite, so lean towards the idea that this universe or cosmos even, I dunno really, having had a start. And I suppose ultimately having an end. But what starts EVERYTHING? If the universe started with the big bang, with a tiny pin sized spec that contained the means and tools to create everything just blowing up and expanding beyond reason, then what made it start. I have read some other theories about how it might have all kicked off, but with every new one I have to keep asking why the first action happened, I feel like a four year old child, constantly repeating myself. Maybe something did intentionally start it all, a creator? But it's nigh on impossible to take in any idea of an overall god when the religions we are fed these days consist of fairy tales and huge amounts of utter nonsense.
I think I may have settled down a bit now, with every thought coming to a dead-end I have to give up, I am never going to have the means to go back billions of years to see the start of it all, to ask questions back then, and in my life time I wont ever be able to travel to the furthest reaches of the universe to see whats going on there. It's a bit of a nuisance, but one we all have to suffer. Human life looks to be a tiny ink dot on the long, long rope of time, so we just have to fire on with it. All we appear to have for certain are our senses, keep them all happy and tingling for as long as we are alive, then maybe we'll get some answers when we croak, or maybe the lights will just go out forever, we will never know. But thankfully the thing that turns me on the most is music, and I get to make it and perform it so I can be a happy little beaver for now.
At least I now have a hobby when I'm not playing music. Part-time geek.
xxx
Since yesterday afternoon , when I started rambling nonsense about space and atoms, I have continued to confuse myself to the point where I hope I can now be calm. After attempting to sleep for quite some time last night I was forced to eventually get up, put on a light and sit in an early morning trance.
I get fairly obsessive about a lot of things, loose a lot of sleep and look grizzly for days on end, but these are usually things like recording music, my own personal future, experience and relationships with others. But over the last couple of days increasing thoughts about the size of the universe and such like has pushed my craziness buttons to new extremes. But in the end, out of all of this I think surprisingly what I have come away with is a slight opening towards religion.
I can't get my head around the idea of something being infinite, so lean towards the idea that this universe or cosmos even, I dunno really, having had a start. And I suppose ultimately having an end. But what starts EVERYTHING? If the universe started with the big bang, with a tiny pin sized spec that contained the means and tools to create everything just blowing up and expanding beyond reason, then what made it start. I have read some other theories about how it might have all kicked off, but with every new one I have to keep asking why the first action happened, I feel like a four year old child, constantly repeating myself. Maybe something did intentionally start it all, a creator? But it's nigh on impossible to take in any idea of an overall god when the religions we are fed these days consist of fairy tales and huge amounts of utter nonsense.
I think I may have settled down a bit now, with every thought coming to a dead-end I have to give up, I am never going to have the means to go back billions of years to see the start of it all, to ask questions back then, and in my life time I wont ever be able to travel to the furthest reaches of the universe to see whats going on there. It's a bit of a nuisance, but one we all have to suffer. Human life looks to be a tiny ink dot on the long, long rope of time, so we just have to fire on with it. All we appear to have for certain are our senses, keep them all happy and tingling for as long as we are alive, then maybe we'll get some answers when we croak, or maybe the lights will just go out forever, we will never know. But thankfully the thing that turns me on the most is music, and I get to make it and perform it so I can be a happy little beaver for now.
At least I now have a hobby when I'm not playing music. Part-time geek.
xxx
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Screaming at the stars
Hello.
I have come to the conclusion that science is not good for my mind. Learning any new interesting scientific issue always seems to take me one step closer to madness. But sadly I'm hooked. I am Amy Whinehouse and physics is my crack.
At school I never really gave a shit about it, dropping all subjects as soon as I had the chance, but these days I find myself drawn to every late night documentary with a hint of a geek factor and buy New fucking Scientist magazine most Fridays. I have a thirst, not so much for learning equations and the likes (E=Mc etc etc is as far as I go), but for the ideas and facts. I recently discovered that there is a planet in another solar system that is bigger than Jupiter but due to its mass it could easily float on water. THAT'S FUCKING NUTS. When you think about it, it really boggles.
I often go into these loops of thought about how fucking massive the universe is and daft unmanageable issues like that, compare them to the insignificant shite in every day life, then decide that I am in fact a massive bollock. We may be small, but in context to our lives, the things we go through (imagination, love, death, murder etc) are huge and are really the only things that matter. I'm more than likely never going to get to try and float a planet on an ocean for a giggle, so might as well stick to plain old beer and sexual unfulfilment. I could twat on for days about this shite, but as I say to begin with, I feel it would send me proper mental.
Once again BBC4 has played it's part in my wanderings. Tuesdays nights recently have been comprised of two main TV shows for me, Visions of The Future and The Martians and Us (I think that's what its called anyway). Last night on Visions of The Future there was talk of creating these Nano-bot devices out of a tiny number of atoms, these were little machines that could be injected into our blood streams to target diseases and combat general ill-health, really really small things that could be controlled by man, inside the body, made from the atoms of bacteria and such like. The benefits of these were huge, but as usual there is a massive downside. Something so powerful could easily be used for weapons, super advanced chemical warfare destroying us cell by cell. Or alternatively, like all bactertia, these Nano-bots could multiply until they consumed all living cells on earth. Its a horrible dilemma, advancing the human race, as well as putting us in extreme danger. I guess it's more of a human nature issue, we are right bastards when it comes down to it, and will find destructive qualities in all advances.
The other show is all about the history of British Sci-fi, so I find myself now wandering book shops looking for odd books about Utopian societies on far away planets. Every idea raised confuses and excites me in equal measure, most probably due to my own naivete or lack of knowledge.
X
I have come to the conclusion that science is not good for my mind. Learning any new interesting scientific issue always seems to take me one step closer to madness. But sadly I'm hooked. I am Amy Whinehouse and physics is my crack.
At school I never really gave a shit about it, dropping all subjects as soon as I had the chance, but these days I find myself drawn to every late night documentary with a hint of a geek factor and buy New fucking Scientist magazine most Fridays. I have a thirst, not so much for learning equations and the likes (E=Mc etc etc is as far as I go), but for the ideas and facts. I recently discovered that there is a planet in another solar system that is bigger than Jupiter but due to its mass it could easily float on water. THAT'S FUCKING NUTS. When you think about it, it really boggles.
I often go into these loops of thought about how fucking massive the universe is and daft unmanageable issues like that, compare them to the insignificant shite in every day life, then decide that I am in fact a massive bollock. We may be small, but in context to our lives, the things we go through (imagination, love, death, murder etc) are huge and are really the only things that matter. I'm more than likely never going to get to try and float a planet on an ocean for a giggle, so might as well stick to plain old beer and sexual unfulfilment. I could twat on for days about this shite, but as I say to begin with, I feel it would send me proper mental.
Once again BBC4 has played it's part in my wanderings. Tuesdays nights recently have been comprised of two main TV shows for me, Visions of The Future and The Martians and Us (I think that's what its called anyway). Last night on Visions of The Future there was talk of creating these Nano-bot devices out of a tiny number of atoms, these were little machines that could be injected into our blood streams to target diseases and combat general ill-health, really really small things that could be controlled by man, inside the body, made from the atoms of bacteria and such like. The benefits of these were huge, but as usual there is a massive downside. Something so powerful could easily be used for weapons, super advanced chemical warfare destroying us cell by cell. Or alternatively, like all bactertia, these Nano-bots could multiply until they consumed all living cells on earth. Its a horrible dilemma, advancing the human race, as well as putting us in extreme danger. I guess it's more of a human nature issue, we are right bastards when it comes down to it, and will find destructive qualities in all advances.
The other show is all about the history of British Sci-fi, so I find myself now wandering book shops looking for odd books about Utopian societies on far away planets. Every idea raised confuses and excites me in equal measure, most probably due to my own naivete or lack of knowledge.
X
Monday, 19 November 2007
Bloody bloody....
His lip began to quiver
as he gave in to rage
and spilled a million white cells
across a blackened page
He seen this as the answer
to questions always asked
He'd find perfect couplet
by tearing out his heart
as he gave in to rage
and spilled a million white cells
across a blackened page
He seen this as the answer
to questions always asked
He'd find perfect couplet
by tearing out his heart
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
PONEY RIDEZ!
This past weekend we played our biggest gig ever. Supporting Idlewild at Fat Sam's live in Dundee.
A few weeks ago we supported The Departure in Edinburgh and Dundee. The gigs were super sweet, and the Departure were an amazing live band and all round grand human beings. The day after the Dundee gig, whilst we were still in a mild state of post-orgasmic chill, we received an e-mail asking if we would support Idlewild in Dundee. We promptly said "Awooga, a hell yeeah!". So Saturday came, we recruited one Daniel Quinn from local indie kings Dave? to help us sound-check while Markie worked hard in his hellish day job, then we hit Fat Sam's and did all the technical tomfoolery. Doors were at 7.30pm, we were to go on at 8pm, so from about 6pm we sat upstairs in the venue, quietly drinking and climbing anything that could be climbed and killing the minutes. 8pm came along, we trotted out expecting the early comers and venue staff to be standing in a mostly empty room, we were wrong. The place was darn busy, we played in front of a few hundred people and were happy as Annie!
The rest of the evening was filled with blagging VIP passes, stealing headline acts rider and playing Frisbee on a tanked up Ned street. Glory.
Next up we are off to Glasgow (I hope, once again day jobs are putting the trip under threat), then its back in Dundee again to play at The Doghouse as part of the venues 25 band unsigned extravaganza. Going to be sweet. I'm sure we will go down like a lead balloon in front of an indie happy crowd, but I look forward to the challenge.
I look mighty forward to winter gigging. This time of year always gets me. I feel like some kind of sentimental old woman saying it, but the chill in the air, the red cheeks and fairy lights on dark nights, all that sort of early winter stuff makes me feel strangely romantic. Even the shit stuff, bus journeys home from work, half pissed and feeling sorry for yourself, it all feels slightly more magical against a nippy and dark back drop. As much as I'm sure it is a great time for gathering, I always find it's a time when being sad and lonely has its perks. You feel more justified in being miserable at this time of the year, and its easier to slip under the radar and do what you like when everyone else is getting cosy and festive. And an obvious drink problem can be disguised as "Festive Spirit".
Merry October to all.
A few weeks ago we supported The Departure in Edinburgh and Dundee. The gigs were super sweet, and the Departure were an amazing live band and all round grand human beings. The day after the Dundee gig, whilst we were still in a mild state of post-orgasmic chill, we received an e-mail asking if we would support Idlewild in Dundee. We promptly said "Awooga, a hell yeeah!". So Saturday came, we recruited one Daniel Quinn from local indie kings Dave? to help us sound-check while Markie worked hard in his hellish day job, then we hit Fat Sam's and did all the technical tomfoolery. Doors were at 7.30pm, we were to go on at 8pm, so from about 6pm we sat upstairs in the venue, quietly drinking and climbing anything that could be climbed and killing the minutes. 8pm came along, we trotted out expecting the early comers and venue staff to be standing in a mostly empty room, we were wrong. The place was darn busy, we played in front of a few hundred people and were happy as Annie!
The rest of the evening was filled with blagging VIP passes, stealing headline acts rider and playing Frisbee on a tanked up Ned street. Glory.
Next up we are off to Glasgow (I hope, once again day jobs are putting the trip under threat), then its back in Dundee again to play at The Doghouse as part of the venues 25 band unsigned extravaganza. Going to be sweet. I'm sure we will go down like a lead balloon in front of an indie happy crowd, but I look forward to the challenge.
I look mighty forward to winter gigging. This time of year always gets me. I feel like some kind of sentimental old woman saying it, but the chill in the air, the red cheeks and fairy lights on dark nights, all that sort of early winter stuff makes me feel strangely romantic. Even the shit stuff, bus journeys home from work, half pissed and feeling sorry for yourself, it all feels slightly more magical against a nippy and dark back drop. As much as I'm sure it is a great time for gathering, I always find it's a time when being sad and lonely has its perks. You feel more justified in being miserable at this time of the year, and its easier to slip under the radar and do what you like when everyone else is getting cosy and festive. And an obvious drink problem can be disguised as "Festive Spirit".
Merry October to all.
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Scratching the Surplus
Hello.
After a little delay due to mixing and our own fussiness our new demos are up on our myspace page for all to enjoy, or not enjoy.
So far the feedback we have received has been super swell, we are mega grateful for the support. And we are also very grateful to those who have helped us sell out our allocation of tickets for our gig with The Departure at The Westie this coming Wednesday. It is going to be fantastisch! To say I'm excited would be rather wide of the mark, I think I may explode in my attempts to sleep on Tuesday night.
I'm glad the songs turned out how we wanted them to, loud and a bit sexy, as up until the moment I heard them finished on Thursday I was in quite a little stormer. Reading music press never fails to get me more wound up than badger with a stubbed toe. It began on Wednesday night reading the NME. Having all these twats in shit bands hark on about how different they are really is begining to grate, if you make music that obviously rips someone of, but you do it well, then just hold your hands up, don't claim to be "re-inventing the wheel". Bollocks. Then I read some reviews by Dundee's premier music reviewer. Someone who I never really take exception to, it would be like be offended by a semi-literate child, but reading some of his latest reviews I was shocked at a serious wave of arrogance creeping into his half-arsed scribblings. This is most likely due to many of the bands on the scene taking his approval as some sort of grand badge of honour.
I then picked up a copy of a national music magazine, flicked to the Dundee section, and had a study. Once again the fella writing it has taking a terribly unattractive and snobby stance, once again putting spotlight a certain type of band (friends and family really) and disregarding everything else. This typical of the current set up around the city. You have your alternative indie types, they wont give you a second look if your prime influences ain't obscure and American and if you don't consider yourself to be "post"-somethingorother. This section probably scoff and snigger into their art portfolios at the mention of the other types of indie in the city. Though on the other hand you have the fairly tight knit group who see any experimentation as evil black magic wrong doing. The indie is indie is guitar bland selective.
I love bands from both sides of this divide, but struggle to get along with the attitude of either.
So we have set up our selves in a new category. Bands with no mates who suffer extreme disillusions of grandeur. Hail.
Har tee har.
It's not just the music media which has caused me confusion of late, watching 24 hour news and reading papers I can't help wondering if it's all just one big social experiement to see how we react when prompted to see things from a particular viewpoint. I was half expecting to see a video of some Burmese monks being shot the other day then have the news reader tell me of the great struggle of the militery and their battle against these religious terrorists. Just to fuck with us. Trouble is though, most would probably just agree. Scary stuff.
x
After a little delay due to mixing and our own fussiness our new demos are up on our myspace page for all to enjoy, or not enjoy.
So far the feedback we have received has been super swell, we are mega grateful for the support. And we are also very grateful to those who have helped us sell out our allocation of tickets for our gig with The Departure at The Westie this coming Wednesday. It is going to be fantastisch! To say I'm excited would be rather wide of the mark, I think I may explode in my attempts to sleep on Tuesday night.
I'm glad the songs turned out how we wanted them to, loud and a bit sexy, as up until the moment I heard them finished on Thursday I was in quite a little stormer. Reading music press never fails to get me more wound up than badger with a stubbed toe. It began on Wednesday night reading the NME. Having all these twats in shit bands hark on about how different they are really is begining to grate, if you make music that obviously rips someone of, but you do it well, then just hold your hands up, don't claim to be "re-inventing the wheel". Bollocks. Then I read some reviews by Dundee's premier music reviewer. Someone who I never really take exception to, it would be like be offended by a semi-literate child, but reading some of his latest reviews I was shocked at a serious wave of arrogance creeping into his half-arsed scribblings. This is most likely due to many of the bands on the scene taking his approval as some sort of grand badge of honour.
I then picked up a copy of a national music magazine, flicked to the Dundee section, and had a study. Once again the fella writing it has taking a terribly unattractive and snobby stance, once again putting spotlight a certain type of band (friends and family really) and disregarding everything else. This typical of the current set up around the city. You have your alternative indie types, they wont give you a second look if your prime influences ain't obscure and American and if you don't consider yourself to be "post"-somethingorother. This section probably scoff and snigger into their art portfolios at the mention of the other types of indie in the city. Though on the other hand you have the fairly tight knit group who see any experimentation as evil black magic wrong doing. The indie is indie is guitar bland selective.
I love bands from both sides of this divide, but struggle to get along with the attitude of either.
So we have set up our selves in a new category. Bands with no mates who suffer extreme disillusions of grandeur. Hail.
Har tee har.
It's not just the music media which has caused me confusion of late, watching 24 hour news and reading papers I can't help wondering if it's all just one big social experiement to see how we react when prompted to see things from a particular viewpoint. I was half expecting to see a video of some Burmese monks being shot the other day then have the news reader tell me of the great struggle of the militery and their battle against these religious terrorists. Just to fuck with us. Trouble is though, most would probably just agree. Scary stuff.
x
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
SLIP THE NET THE NET THE NET!
Holla.
We at Descartes have been attempting to record some more demos at our favorite underground bunker, Seagate studio. This is going swimmingly. We have four tracks almost done, and hope to have them nailed by this coming weekend.
We are getting a bit over excited with vocals, adding as many backing vocals as the four of us can do. This slows down recording a bit but we hope it will come out sexy.
In one newie (I Am The Snake!) we have a Capella four way bark-off. Which in theory is going to sound like the Futureheads meets The Horrors, but will perhaps end up sounding really daft. But hey, take a risk. I'm also trying to convince the chaps to put a backwards intro on Ice-Nine, so It sounds as if the song is falling in on its self before it even begins, I think I'll win them over.
I was inspired to throw in as many fucked up ideas as I could after watching a documentary on Factory Records the night before we started. The way that Factory came into being and insisted on remaining totally free of all the shit going on around makes modern day music seem really silly. Even the most anti-establishment of today's bands will probably still have a "PR guy" and be forced to tone down in some way by whoever is releasing their records. That's not to say that today's music scene is the way it is for no reason other than gain. Things change, the Internet and all the other mad technological and social advances (if you can call them that) have changed the way music is recorded, released and listened to.
It baffles me how any music ever got heard before the Internet. Its hard enough trying to get people to listen to your music when it's available free and easy over numerous websites so I can imagine many young creative types went insane back in the day.
This t'internet lark is very much double edged though. Being able to get your own music out to the world from the comfort of you bedroom and having the means to discover bands without being prompted by the music press is grand. But, it is also an arena for some twats to rope young people on the hunt for the next big thing with their side-sweep hair cuts and punctuation filled names. I have never heard a We Smoke Fags song, though I noticed they were a featured band on some myspace thing, and had about 10 million friends. They had pictures with nice hair and posed like they we're slightly autistic, yet pretty as hell. Others like Haduken! and Does it Offend You, Yeah seem to follow a similar pattern. Test-Icicles were ace. Klaxons are amazing. But throwing a dance beat behind some difficult noises does not make this new crop innovates in the slightest.
Anyone who comes across pictures of us may well be spitting at their screen reading this, between us we own a fair few leather items, have a hefty mass of hair, and wear our jeans in a manner which will undoubtedly leave us childless. We are partial to the dress up box. I just hope people actually listen to our music, and see what we're trying to do. The sort of people who in the past have called us posers or what ever else may well have a point, but we fucking mean what we do. We sing about things that mean something to us, and try to turn our mass of influences into something new, without totally raping them. I'm sure we all have issues with girls (or boys), eyes meeting across disco floors, unrequited love and the rest and we do sing about this sometimes, but some days I wake up being more bothered about twitchy fingered scientists or the things inside the heads of passing businessmen. Not to write about these things as well would be dishonest. If the people who write albums worth of songs about girls and pubs think solely about girls and pubs then fair enough, but that is a scary thought.
I find myself being constantly indecisive these days. Regarding pretty much every issue I come across. I could probably sit an argue with myself until I slowly died whilst rocking back and forward looking at a wall, but instead try to just take each thing as it comes. So as contradictory as it may sound after a hefty rant like that, I find it hard to get my point across because things stop making sense halfway through a chain of thought. I think people should not be allowed to get filthy rich whilst others are starving, that's an obvious ethical point, but how to enforce this? There are many work shy scrounging bastards that would benefit in a take from the rich and give to the poor scenario. But then others work a seven day week for peanuts, they deserve better. It feels like everything ends in one big catch 22 situation. In music, is signing to a major label like selling your soul to the devil? In some cases it would be. But then just signing to an indie label because it's an indie label is surely simple snobbery, but then again......it could go on forever. Make a point, I'll send myself loopy thinking about it.
Jesus.
Anyway, recording is going well, har har harrr har.
x
We at Descartes have been attempting to record some more demos at our favorite underground bunker, Seagate studio. This is going swimmingly. We have four tracks almost done, and hope to have them nailed by this coming weekend.
We are getting a bit over excited with vocals, adding as many backing vocals as the four of us can do. This slows down recording a bit but we hope it will come out sexy.
In one newie (I Am The Snake!) we have a Capella four way bark-off. Which in theory is going to sound like the Futureheads meets The Horrors, but will perhaps end up sounding really daft. But hey, take a risk. I'm also trying to convince the chaps to put a backwards intro on Ice-Nine, so It sounds as if the song is falling in on its self before it even begins, I think I'll win them over.
I was inspired to throw in as many fucked up ideas as I could after watching a documentary on Factory Records the night before we started. The way that Factory came into being and insisted on remaining totally free of all the shit going on around makes modern day music seem really silly. Even the most anti-establishment of today's bands will probably still have a "PR guy" and be forced to tone down in some way by whoever is releasing their records. That's not to say that today's music scene is the way it is for no reason other than gain. Things change, the Internet and all the other mad technological and social advances (if you can call them that) have changed the way music is recorded, released and listened to.
It baffles me how any music ever got heard before the Internet. Its hard enough trying to get people to listen to your music when it's available free and easy over numerous websites so I can imagine many young creative types went insane back in the day.
This t'internet lark is very much double edged though. Being able to get your own music out to the world from the comfort of you bedroom and having the means to discover bands without being prompted by the music press is grand. But, it is also an arena for some twats to rope young people on the hunt for the next big thing with their side-sweep hair cuts and punctuation filled names. I have never heard a We Smoke Fags song, though I noticed they were a featured band on some myspace thing, and had about 10 million friends. They had pictures with nice hair and posed like they we're slightly autistic, yet pretty as hell. Others like Haduken! and Does it Offend You, Yeah seem to follow a similar pattern. Test-Icicles were ace. Klaxons are amazing. But throwing a dance beat behind some difficult noises does not make this new crop innovates in the slightest.
Anyone who comes across pictures of us may well be spitting at their screen reading this, between us we own a fair few leather items, have a hefty mass of hair, and wear our jeans in a manner which will undoubtedly leave us childless. We are partial to the dress up box. I just hope people actually listen to our music, and see what we're trying to do. The sort of people who in the past have called us posers or what ever else may well have a point, but we fucking mean what we do. We sing about things that mean something to us, and try to turn our mass of influences into something new, without totally raping them. I'm sure we all have issues with girls (or boys), eyes meeting across disco floors, unrequited love and the rest and we do sing about this sometimes, but some days I wake up being more bothered about twitchy fingered scientists or the things inside the heads of passing businessmen. Not to write about these things as well would be dishonest. If the people who write albums worth of songs about girls and pubs think solely about girls and pubs then fair enough, but that is a scary thought.
I find myself being constantly indecisive these days. Regarding pretty much every issue I come across. I could probably sit an argue with myself until I slowly died whilst rocking back and forward looking at a wall, but instead try to just take each thing as it comes. So as contradictory as it may sound after a hefty rant like that, I find it hard to get my point across because things stop making sense halfway through a chain of thought. I think people should not be allowed to get filthy rich whilst others are starving, that's an obvious ethical point, but how to enforce this? There are many work shy scrounging bastards that would benefit in a take from the rich and give to the poor scenario. But then others work a seven day week for peanuts, they deserve better. It feels like everything ends in one big catch 22 situation. In music, is signing to a major label like selling your soul to the devil? In some cases it would be. But then just signing to an indie label because it's an indie label is surely simple snobbery, but then again......it could go on forever. Make a point, I'll send myself loopy thinking about it.
Jesus.
Anyway, recording is going well, har har harrr har.
x
Monday, 10 September 2007
Finding Match Sharpness
It is now a mere five little days until we get back to gigging again at The Moorings in Aberdeen. Thank Christ!
Although the break has been useful in that we have been able to compose a shit load of new songs, some finished, some very unfinished, it has been a nightmare being away from the live buzz. Standing on stage and causing some reaction in people is one of the greatest feelings I have know. All the rest involve nudity or untamed animals, but the less said about that the better. The banter of traveling to away games whilst our driver/drummer slowly goes insane with the stress of keeping us playful kiddies under control is a treat. Sound-checks are always a relaxing experience I have found, they make you feel a little special. Then the wait to go on, trying to remain is some fit state, and enjoying the pre-match entertainment. All blissful, all missed.
Back onto the topic of new material. There is a lot of it. We fitted a couple of new songs into our last few gigs, and they have now been touched up and finished, then we have a batch of unheard nuggets that I cant wait to blast out of a meaty sound system. Once again I think we have progressed and created something new. There has been a massive injection of sex into these new songs, listening back to rough tape from practice I find my hips being to thrust like they are completely free from my body. We have also began to piss around with time structures and rhythms, which is very evident on a track currently called "Scratch the Surface".
Due to this influx of newness we have gone and booked some recording time at our friendly local studio, no idea how we will afford this, but it's going to be massive.
The sun is out in Dundee again, but I am stuck in work, next to a large window, just to taunt me. Bastards.
xx
Although the break has been useful in that we have been able to compose a shit load of new songs, some finished, some very unfinished, it has been a nightmare being away from the live buzz. Standing on stage and causing some reaction in people is one of the greatest feelings I have know. All the rest involve nudity or untamed animals, but the less said about that the better. The banter of traveling to away games whilst our driver/drummer slowly goes insane with the stress of keeping us playful kiddies under control is a treat. Sound-checks are always a relaxing experience I have found, they make you feel a little special. Then the wait to go on, trying to remain is some fit state, and enjoying the pre-match entertainment. All blissful, all missed.
Back onto the topic of new material. There is a lot of it. We fitted a couple of new songs into our last few gigs, and they have now been touched up and finished, then we have a batch of unheard nuggets that I cant wait to blast out of a meaty sound system. Once again I think we have progressed and created something new. There has been a massive injection of sex into these new songs, listening back to rough tape from practice I find my hips being to thrust like they are completely free from my body. We have also began to piss around with time structures and rhythms, which is very evident on a track currently called "Scratch the Surface".
Due to this influx of newness we have gone and booked some recording time at our friendly local studio, no idea how we will afford this, but it's going to be massive.
The sun is out in Dundee again, but I am stuck in work, next to a large window, just to taunt me. Bastards.
xx
Monday, 13 August 2007
Smoking Pistols
Last night I watched a documentary on Hawkwind. 70s mentalist psychedelic rock. Wild shit.
There was trips down memory lane to the times when Lemmy would stay up for a whole week, get lost, have to hitch-hike to gigs across America and also about the time when their poet/singer went mad, bought some guns then chased the band out of a hotel with a large knife.This made me think also of the other nutters of the time would live insane lives and put on mental shows. Bowie would change his entire personality from time to time and Michael Jackson had a monkey. These people were all fucking nuts, but they still made amazing music and were recognised for doing so.
And now I think about the modern high profile music scene. Doherty is in the papers all the time, but he is really a pretty predictable smack head these days, otherwise what is there?You could never imagine Alex Turner aiming a loaded gun at a journalist or any of Franz Ferdinand wearing an all in one pink cock suit.As long as bands are getting the press they want and making sure the have a well dusted coke nose then all is rosey. Obscure poetry about a whole lot of mind bending shit has now been replaced by tales of the everyday. Things that happen to everyone. Fair enough, a little bit of this can be good, but where the fuck has the escapism gone?
Fuck it, I'm off to buy a cape and ride through Dundee screaming "Burn the little people" at the top of my voice while brandishing a large flame.x
There was trips down memory lane to the times when Lemmy would stay up for a whole week, get lost, have to hitch-hike to gigs across America and also about the time when their poet/singer went mad, bought some guns then chased the band out of a hotel with a large knife.This made me think also of the other nutters of the time would live insane lives and put on mental shows. Bowie would change his entire personality from time to time and Michael Jackson had a monkey. These people were all fucking nuts, but they still made amazing music and were recognised for doing so.
And now I think about the modern high profile music scene. Doherty is in the papers all the time, but he is really a pretty predictable smack head these days, otherwise what is there?You could never imagine Alex Turner aiming a loaded gun at a journalist or any of Franz Ferdinand wearing an all in one pink cock suit.As long as bands are getting the press they want and making sure the have a well dusted coke nose then all is rosey. Obscure poetry about a whole lot of mind bending shit has now been replaced by tales of the everyday. Things that happen to everyone. Fair enough, a little bit of this can be good, but where the fuck has the escapism gone?
Fuck it, I'm off to buy a cape and ride through Dundee screaming "Burn the little people" at the top of my voice while brandishing a large flame.x
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Slowing to a terrible halt.
Its August now. A month of not much at all for us.
The mighty P.C. Markie is off on holiday with his lady wife for the next two weeks. Michael John McFarlane is off to Ireland for the weekend, and we have no gigs for a month or so. Its going to be tough, yes sir-eeee.
Though this has given us the time to piss about with song new or half finished songs. Having a month to do it in is turning out to be a good thing, as its a total nightmare trying to create something original. Sitting at home with guitars and the likes feels terribly restricting sometimes, but with us been skint constantly we cant really afford the luxury of time and finance. I have got my old Yamaha keyboard out of the cupboard and am joyfully pissing about on that in my very own one fingered style. M.J.F currently has my synth (which I blew a chunk of student loan on a few years ago) and he is hopefully going to master it.
So come our next gig, Aberdeen in September, we are going to be Kraftwerk.
Ace.
The mighty P.C. Markie is off on holiday with his lady wife for the next two weeks. Michael John McFarlane is off to Ireland for the weekend, and we have no gigs for a month or so. Its going to be tough, yes sir-eeee.
Though this has given us the time to piss about with song new or half finished songs. Having a month to do it in is turning out to be a good thing, as its a total nightmare trying to create something original. Sitting at home with guitars and the likes feels terribly restricting sometimes, but with us been skint constantly we cant really afford the luxury of time and finance. I have got my old Yamaha keyboard out of the cupboard and am joyfully pissing about on that in my very own one fingered style. M.J.F currently has my synth (which I blew a chunk of student loan on a few years ago) and he is hopefully going to master it.
So come our next gig, Aberdeen in September, we are going to be Kraftwerk.
Ace.
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Burning Up in The Summer Drizzle
Awooha!
The world has been an odd place over the last week or two.
On the gig front, we played at Bannermans in Edinburgh on Sunday (15th), it was a swell venue, really dark and manky looking which suits our atmospheric needs, but sadly there was only about three folk watching us. Two of them were in other bands and the other was a very nice gentleman in a mini-skirt. A nasty hangover meant that the glare of the really over the top lights made me sweat pure German lager.
The following night (Monday 16th) we supported the might Nine Black Alps at The Westport Bar in Dundee. This was a blast, and a bit of an eye opener. This was the first time we have played with a proper big band, so seeing their rack filled with guitars and off limits drum-kit was all new to us. The band themselves where lovely chaps and they put on a cracker of a show, had forgotten how much I enjoyed their first album. The Sounds from Leeds were also on the bill, they also were lovely and shit hot. Like Elvis with a disco beat.
We hope that we impressed a few of the folk in attendance, though it did almost go tits up when I tried to climb around the monitors when I was meant to be singing. Playing bass, singing and balancing on my tip toes over the edge of a stage is a skill I have yet to master.
We also felt like right little rock stars when we got a spanking from the police for drinking outside the venue. Jeeez, sticking it to "the man".
At the start of last week we recorded a few more tracks at Seagate Studios in Dundee. This went well once again. I think we have found our new favorite place in the city.
We are playing in Aberdeen this Saturday with Jyro Jets from Inverness. Looking mega forward to this, Drummonds is le bomb.
Happy Summer Humping.
X
The world has been an odd place over the last week or two.
On the gig front, we played at Bannermans in Edinburgh on Sunday (15th), it was a swell venue, really dark and manky looking which suits our atmospheric needs, but sadly there was only about three folk watching us. Two of them were in other bands and the other was a very nice gentleman in a mini-skirt. A nasty hangover meant that the glare of the really over the top lights made me sweat pure German lager.
The following night (Monday 16th) we supported the might Nine Black Alps at The Westport Bar in Dundee. This was a blast, and a bit of an eye opener. This was the first time we have played with a proper big band, so seeing their rack filled with guitars and off limits drum-kit was all new to us. The band themselves where lovely chaps and they put on a cracker of a show, had forgotten how much I enjoyed their first album. The Sounds from Leeds were also on the bill, they also were lovely and shit hot. Like Elvis with a disco beat.
We hope that we impressed a few of the folk in attendance, though it did almost go tits up when I tried to climb around the monitors when I was meant to be singing. Playing bass, singing and balancing on my tip toes over the edge of a stage is a skill I have yet to master.
We also felt like right little rock stars when we got a spanking from the police for drinking outside the venue. Jeeez, sticking it to "the man".
At the start of last week we recorded a few more tracks at Seagate Studios in Dundee. This went well once again. I think we have found our new favorite place in the city.
We are playing in Aberdeen this Saturday with Jyro Jets from Inverness. Looking mega forward to this, Drummonds is le bomb.
Happy Summer Humping.
X
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Not a Dry eye in the House
It's T in the Park weekend. And for the first time in five years I'm not there. The pain is a little too hard to take. When tickets went on sale the first time I had money, but couldn't get a ticket, when they went on a second time I had money but couldn't get a ticket, but over the last two weeks when I have been uber skint I have been offered about 8 tickets. Bastards.
The whole weekend is always a big blurry,joy filled extravaganza of bands and beer and odd memories. But I'm not there. Tough.
Anyway, I have some more recording to look forward to, keep me going through this tough weekend. On Tuesday we are going back to Seagate Studios in Dundee (where we recorded our last demos) to touch up some old stuff and record some new tracks.
It's been an odd week in Descartes land, with lots of strange yet exciting snippets of news filtering through, such as chat with national radio DJs, big gig offers and interest from huge promoter chaps. Not sure what will come of any of these things but fingers crossed.
Things better kick into action soon, as I fully intend on playing at T in the Park next year.
Oh yes.
x
The whole weekend is always a big blurry,joy filled extravaganza of bands and beer and odd memories. But I'm not there. Tough.
Anyway, I have some more recording to look forward to, keep me going through this tough weekend. On Tuesday we are going back to Seagate Studios in Dundee (where we recorded our last demos) to touch up some old stuff and record some new tracks.
It's been an odd week in Descartes land, with lots of strange yet exciting snippets of news filtering through, such as chat with national radio DJs, big gig offers and interest from huge promoter chaps. Not sure what will come of any of these things but fingers crossed.
Things better kick into action soon, as I fully intend on playing at T in the Park next year.
Oh yes.
x
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Back from the moon, and under pressure.
Tonight, Tuesday 26th of June, we are playing a show at The Underground Bar in Dundee. This is our first home game for a while so I look mighty forward to it. We only found out about it yesterday morning so it's been a hectic one to plan for.
Over the last month or so we have been visiting Aberdeen and Edinburgh, trying to sow the Descartes seed into the hearts of those North and South of us. It has been fun. Though I'm sure one or two of us enjoyed it more than the rest (Paulo you DAWG!).
After tonight's gig we play Dundee again this coming Saturday as part of a two day new bands gathering which coincides with the cities annual "Blues Bonanza". I look so forward to causing as much trouble as possible. Dundee's blues bonanza is an event that takes place over one summer weekend in every year, and is something of an excuse for dead old middle aged knob heads to crawl out of their Holby City induced slumber and go out on the town. They get pissed quickly and stagger about trying to reclaim their lost youth, and no doubt have sex with the lights on for the first time in months. This is also a weekend when the number of pricks in the street having a pop at us for wearing silly clothes or having big hair almost doubles. I'm so glad I get to stand onstage with a microphone in front of the crowd. Oh yes I am.
About 20 minutes ago, a posh old man came into my work, right poncy old fucker who expected to be treated like a king, he pulled out his wallet to pay for a coffee costing a couple of pounds maximum and shows a wad of cash containing, at glance, surely more than £300. I can't help but feel it would be sweet justice if the old fucker got mugged.
So there you are McFarlane. Y'Happy? Are ya? Jeeez man.
LUVS.
Over the last month or so we have been visiting Aberdeen and Edinburgh, trying to sow the Descartes seed into the hearts of those North and South of us. It has been fun. Though I'm sure one or two of us enjoyed it more than the rest (Paulo you DAWG!).
After tonight's gig we play Dundee again this coming Saturday as part of a two day new bands gathering which coincides with the cities annual "Blues Bonanza". I look so forward to causing as much trouble as possible. Dundee's blues bonanza is an event that takes place over one summer weekend in every year, and is something of an excuse for dead old middle aged knob heads to crawl out of their Holby City induced slumber and go out on the town. They get pissed quickly and stagger about trying to reclaim their lost youth, and no doubt have sex with the lights on for the first time in months. This is also a weekend when the number of pricks in the street having a pop at us for wearing silly clothes or having big hair almost doubles. I'm so glad I get to stand onstage with a microphone in front of the crowd. Oh yes I am.
About 20 minutes ago, a posh old man came into my work, right poncy old fucker who expected to be treated like a king, he pulled out his wallet to pay for a coffee costing a couple of pounds maximum and shows a wad of cash containing, at glance, surely more than £300. I can't help but feel it would be sweet justice if the old fucker got mugged.
So there you are McFarlane. Y'Happy? Are ya? Jeeez man.
LUVS.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Balmy Nights and Dream Filled Days
I'm a borderline insomniac at the best of times, work, gigs, rehearsals, accidental drunkenness and a small social life all play their part, but over the last week or two I've taken the recommended number of hours and laughed in their face. On the odd occasion when I am left to my own devices to nab a few hours I find myself laying awake, twitching like Ian Curtis during a severe bout of bed bugs.
I blame this damn band. Since recording our latest demos my nightly attack is usually concerned with who to send demos to, whether they will actually get listened to and if so what are people going to think. Before that I was bothered by what songs to record, we have many, but what combination of four songs would create a beautiful 15 minute intense blast of what we are all about? It's not fun.
You constantly hear major bands and recording artists saying how they don't care what others think and that they don't bother reading their reviews and the likes, but I can't help thinking this is a load of balls. I follow this rule to a certain degree, when making music and writing I couldn't give a toss about anyone else, and when playing I don't care to act in a manner which pleases others, doing what the fuck we want is a prime aspect of this band, we could play certain songs and do certain acts (I don't mean fellatio) which would make lots of people jump up and down, but we wouldn't be doing what WE want. Surely honesty is the most important aspect to any good music.
But sadly I do care, once the songs are written and recorded I want people to understand what they are about and where they come from. If someone has a particular argument about why they are shit I want to be able to tell them exactly why they can fuck off. I'm sure that if we "make it" I will care less, as I wouldn't need to give a shit anymore, once you have a platform you can just let the music do the talking, but being the little guy you always have to be prepared to fight your corner. Something I shall gladly do.
It's a major character flaw, I'm sure of it, but one that's not going away anytime soon and although I may now resemble a scruffy, red eyed sleepless monster, I'm sort of glad it's there.
x
I blame this damn band. Since recording our latest demos my nightly attack is usually concerned with who to send demos to, whether they will actually get listened to and if so what are people going to think. Before that I was bothered by what songs to record, we have many, but what combination of four songs would create a beautiful 15 minute intense blast of what we are all about? It's not fun.
You constantly hear major bands and recording artists saying how they don't care what others think and that they don't bother reading their reviews and the likes, but I can't help thinking this is a load of balls. I follow this rule to a certain degree, when making music and writing I couldn't give a toss about anyone else, and when playing I don't care to act in a manner which pleases others, doing what the fuck we want is a prime aspect of this band, we could play certain songs and do certain acts (I don't mean fellatio) which would make lots of people jump up and down, but we wouldn't be doing what WE want. Surely honesty is the most important aspect to any good music.
But sadly I do care, once the songs are written and recorded I want people to understand what they are about and where they come from. If someone has a particular argument about why they are shit I want to be able to tell them exactly why they can fuck off. I'm sure that if we "make it" I will care less, as I wouldn't need to give a shit anymore, once you have a platform you can just let the music do the talking, but being the little guy you always have to be prepared to fight your corner. Something I shall gladly do.
It's a major character flaw, I'm sure of it, but one that's not going away anytime soon and although I may now resemble a scruffy, red eyed sleepless monster, I'm sort of glad it's there.
x
Saturday, 9 June 2007
Lump In My Throat
Descartes is a terribly amused little group at the minute.
We recorded a new demo EP last week at Dundee's Seagate studio. The end result was more than I had imagined. Much more. The help of Graham the genius producer was much appreciated as he made us sound huge, yet kept the chaotic live feel.
There are dodgy notes all over the place and bits of suspect timing but it all adds to the lovely feel. And the response from folk has also been tip top, our myspace page has been buzzing for days now, I love it. Currently trying to annoy some music industry types into listening, but that's a right tricky task.
Also, the man from Club NME Dundee just asked us to support The Departure in October. Oh my gawwd, The Departure. I love that band. The nostalgia of their first album and all the odd nights of my life that it sound-tracked brings a warm feeling to the chest. Can't believe we are getting to support them. Happy times.
Be Safe.
x
We recorded a new demo EP last week at Dundee's Seagate studio. The end result was more than I had imagined. Much more. The help of Graham the genius producer was much appreciated as he made us sound huge, yet kept the chaotic live feel.
There are dodgy notes all over the place and bits of suspect timing but it all adds to the lovely feel. And the response from folk has also been tip top, our myspace page has been buzzing for days now, I love it. Currently trying to annoy some music industry types into listening, but that's a right tricky task.
Also, the man from Club NME Dundee just asked us to support The Departure in October. Oh my gawwd, The Departure. I love that band. The nostalgia of their first album and all the odd nights of my life that it sound-tracked brings a warm feeling to the chest. Can't believe we are getting to support them. Happy times.
Be Safe.
x
Monday, 4 June 2007
Spelling and Basic Grammar
Tomorrow, Tuesday 5th June 2007, we are going into a little studio in Dundee to record some of our new songs. And mercy me, I can't wait.
Our first lot of recordings as the new and improved Descartes we're reasonably good, but they were the first songs we really ever wrote together, and we hadn't ever played live so didn't have a clue how things would sound. The nerves are there for all to hear.
BUT THIS TIME!!!! Oh this time, we are ready. Been playing a lot recently, learned to sing a bit (well, more a case of realising that we can't sing, so just screaming things out like caged beasts), and generally spent time writing. We are buzzing, and want to shove these new recordings right up the anus of this gasping scene which really needs a good youthful,energetic kick in the nose.
This week I have also gotten into ....And You Will Know Us By Our Trail of Dead, and Battles. Went out on a mad whim after hearing a ...Trail of Dead song on BBC6 music, bought one of their albums for a fiver from fopp. It took a couple of listens to get right into, but now I'm hooked. Bought the Battles album after hearing from many a source that it is the "new sound". I have no idea what to make of it, not even how to listen to it, but boy I enjoy it. Sounds more like a future film soundtrack than a contemporary music album. Wild stuff.
Peace Out sisters.
Our first lot of recordings as the new and improved Descartes we're reasonably good, but they were the first songs we really ever wrote together, and we hadn't ever played live so didn't have a clue how things would sound. The nerves are there for all to hear.
BUT THIS TIME!!!! Oh this time, we are ready. Been playing a lot recently, learned to sing a bit (well, more a case of realising that we can't sing, so just screaming things out like caged beasts), and generally spent time writing. We are buzzing, and want to shove these new recordings right up the anus of this gasping scene which really needs a good youthful,energetic kick in the nose.
This week I have also gotten into ....And You Will Know Us By Our Trail of Dead, and Battles. Went out on a mad whim after hearing a ...Trail of Dead song on BBC6 music, bought one of their albums for a fiver from fopp. It took a couple of listens to get right into, but now I'm hooked. Bought the Battles album after hearing from many a source that it is the "new sound". I have no idea what to make of it, not even how to listen to it, but boy I enjoy it. Sounds more like a future film soundtrack than a contemporary music album. Wild stuff.
Peace Out sisters.
Monday, 28 May 2007
Hometown Blues: Part Two.
Its now Monday. Two days since the last thrilling instalment.
We played at Dexters on saturday night. It was fair rubbish. Though the night in general was good as expected. The bands we were playing with, Cardiac and The Paranoid Monkeys, we amazing. Really mind blowing live bands. And as usual the people and staff of Dexters were ace. But no one was there. By the time we took to the stage at about 23.15 the few folk who had been there began to filter out, leaving a few folk stray folk and couple of our friends. We are hugely greatful to those who came down, though in that sort of situation it does feel like a bit of a sympathy fuck, like people come to see you because no one else will. I just pray that one day people will come see us due to loving our music. Though I guess thats up to us to create loveable music.
One day I will crack the marketing code, finding out how to get a load of people into a room infront of us, as I'm sure that given the chance we could blow the minds of many.
Anyway, we take to Aberdeen on Thursday for a gig at The Lemon Tree, which should be a step up from some of the venues we have played over the last couple of months.
AND....in six days, yes six little days, we are going to record four new songs. Four songs that eclipse anything we have done before, and that will hopefully prove to some people that Descartes will fuck you up. Yes we will.
x
We played at Dexters on saturday night. It was fair rubbish. Though the night in general was good as expected. The bands we were playing with, Cardiac and The Paranoid Monkeys, we amazing. Really mind blowing live bands. And as usual the people and staff of Dexters were ace. But no one was there. By the time we took to the stage at about 23.15 the few folk who had been there began to filter out, leaving a few folk stray folk and couple of our friends. We are hugely greatful to those who came down, though in that sort of situation it does feel like a bit of a sympathy fuck, like people come to see you because no one else will. I just pray that one day people will come see us due to loving our music. Though I guess thats up to us to create loveable music.
One day I will crack the marketing code, finding out how to get a load of people into a room infront of us, as I'm sure that given the chance we could blow the minds of many.
Anyway, we take to Aberdeen on Thursday for a gig at The Lemon Tree, which should be a step up from some of the venues we have played over the last couple of months.
AND....in six days, yes six little days, we are going to record four new songs. Four songs that eclipse anything we have done before, and that will hopefully prove to some people that Descartes will fuck you up. Yes we will.
x
Saturday, 26 May 2007
Hometown Blues
It's just gone 6pm, I have just finished work (familiar topic, boring bastard) and have to go sound check for a gig tonight at 6.30pm. Thankfully we are playing at Dexters Bar in Dundee which is about 100 paces from my work, so I have the opportunity to run off and grab some dirty food before we start, chips and cheese undoubtedly. A favorite. Perhaps with gravy, just to be a bit continental.
Playing hometown gigs at this stage in the life of Descartes is always an odd thing. At least when we play away we know that we will be playing to near empty rooms, but in Dundee you never can tell. The general gig going demographic of this city is odd. The most popular gigs are those by local bands with lots of friends who play a particular sort of indie, when bigger NME bothering bands hit town the students might surface but when more alternative local acts who are made up of groups of "Jonny no mates" you never can tell.
The only real tool you have to recruit (due to the towns strict fly postering laws) is Myspace. And that is a fairly contrived little world, where I imagine most people will spend their Saturday night in their own homes posing at awkward angles.
So, I have no idea if anyone will turn up tonight. I hope so. But I have a bee in my bonnet, so whoever does show up is going to be treated to a display of madman shouty twitchy fun. What more can one desire. Ha.
That's wasted a good 7 minutes. Now I must go do my hair and make-up then head out onto the streets where I imagine I'll get amuse from passing neds. Lets just hope I make those 100 paces in one piece.
Much Love.
x
Playing hometown gigs at this stage in the life of Descartes is always an odd thing. At least when we play away we know that we will be playing to near empty rooms, but in Dundee you never can tell. The general gig going demographic of this city is odd. The most popular gigs are those by local bands with lots of friends who play a particular sort of indie, when bigger NME bothering bands hit town the students might surface but when more alternative local acts who are made up of groups of "Jonny no mates" you never can tell.
The only real tool you have to recruit (due to the towns strict fly postering laws) is Myspace. And that is a fairly contrived little world, where I imagine most people will spend their Saturday night in their own homes posing at awkward angles.
So, I have no idea if anyone will turn up tonight. I hope so. But I have a bee in my bonnet, so whoever does show up is going to be treated to a display of madman shouty twitchy fun. What more can one desire. Ha.
That's wasted a good 7 minutes. Now I must go do my hair and make-up then head out onto the streets where I imagine I'll get amuse from passing neds. Lets just hope I make those 100 paces in one piece.
Much Love.
x
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
The Horrific, and the Grand
My oh My Oh My Oh My.
Without meaning to sound like some diddy boy from Hard-Fi or some other "we liked the Jam and steal our songs off the clash" bands, I feel the need to say, WORK IS RUBBISH.
Really rubbish.
I spend my days working a coffee shop, in Dundee town centre. I have done for about three years, occasionally full time, and occasionally part time when I decide to take up some half arsed college course or other. Every day is quiet, then a little busy, then a bit slow again. Everyday.
The customers are a lifeless bunch, waiting for death as opposed to just accepting that they are alive. Most see human interaction as a dirty thing, a muttered please and thank you are rare and joyful occasions.
I often find myself staring longingly out of the window praying that a six foot drag queen or midget in a tall hat would walk through the door, stun me with their visual wooha then ask me a personal question about the shape of my genitals. Anything to break up the grind.
I often stand convincing myself to storm out, throwing my milky apron in the air and telling everyone of the grey faced army to lick my man part, but I forever see sense, as I have annoyingly developed a bond to my brothers and sisters in dull, daily union.
After escaping last night I skulked off home in a quiet rage as usual, but was swiftly revived when I cranked on the Moore stereo system. Got me the new Cribs album you see, and its pure genius. Sitting listening to the first nine tracks was a mad hook filled joy, then....then....then I heard the track named Be Safe, which has Lee Ronaldo from Sonic Youth speaking over it. Purrrrrre amazing. Sounds like nothing the Cribs have done before, so epic and beautiful. Made me the happiest little lad in all the land for the rest of my night.
It's the little things you see.
Ahhhhhh.
x
Without meaning to sound like some diddy boy from Hard-Fi or some other "we liked the Jam and steal our songs off the clash" bands, I feel the need to say, WORK IS RUBBISH.
Really rubbish.
I spend my days working a coffee shop, in Dundee town centre. I have done for about three years, occasionally full time, and occasionally part time when I decide to take up some half arsed college course or other. Every day is quiet, then a little busy, then a bit slow again. Everyday.
The customers are a lifeless bunch, waiting for death as opposed to just accepting that they are alive. Most see human interaction as a dirty thing, a muttered please and thank you are rare and joyful occasions.
I often find myself staring longingly out of the window praying that a six foot drag queen or midget in a tall hat would walk through the door, stun me with their visual wooha then ask me a personal question about the shape of my genitals. Anything to break up the grind.
I often stand convincing myself to storm out, throwing my milky apron in the air and telling everyone of the grey faced army to lick my man part, but I forever see sense, as I have annoyingly developed a bond to my brothers and sisters in dull, daily union.
After escaping last night I skulked off home in a quiet rage as usual, but was swiftly revived when I cranked on the Moore stereo system. Got me the new Cribs album you see, and its pure genius. Sitting listening to the first nine tracks was a mad hook filled joy, then....then....then I heard the track named Be Safe, which has Lee Ronaldo from Sonic Youth speaking over it. Purrrrrre amazing. Sounds like nothing the Cribs have done before, so epic and beautiful. Made me the happiest little lad in all the land for the rest of my night.
It's the little things you see.
Ahhhhhh.
x
Monday, 21 May 2007
Where is Home?
As a wise T-shirt once said, "God Bless Bloc Party". Was listening to their second album last week after neglecting it for a while, and every time I listen to it I am blown away by the track Where is Home?. In the current climate it seems that the only way for a band to get recognition for their music is to write about going out, incidents that happen when out and unobtainable girls who also go out. So hearing a song filled with beautiful and dark references to a dark subject (racial hatred, killings etc if you've not heard it) just stands out from everything else. I am in no way claiming to relate to the subject matter, the only real abuse I suffer is getting called a big poof whenever I go out. And it does help that the song has a massive hook of a chorus also. Touched.
Many a memory has been brought back this weekend past. With Radio One's big weekend festival taking place in Preston it really doesn't seem like a whole year since the same event took over our town of sunny Dundee. The twelve months that have passed since then have certainly been filled with many ups and downs in camp Descartes. A year ago we were playing our second ever gig in the first stage of Descartes in front of an insane crowd at Dundee's small Globe Bar, at the time we couldn't have imagined the amount of daft things that would happen in between, such as scary trips to fife, outdoor gigs in front of two children and a dog, the band falling to pieces, Mr Paul Markie coming on board, and eventually us getting good. Its been wild and drunken, and jeeeezo I hope this year is more straight forward.
I watched Maximo Park and Klaxons on the BBC coverage of the festival last night. I had forgotten how much I loved the first Maximo Park album, though now the band trouble me as their singer has so many of the physical looks and attributes of a rapist. Klaxons were fucking insane, all over the shop but still utter genius. I was forced to give up and go to bed when the Kaiser Chiefs came on though as I feared that I may cause violence to my television every time Ricky Wilson's fat Little smug face came on my screen. Everything is average nowadays. Perfect you tosser.
LOVE
X
Many a memory has been brought back this weekend past. With Radio One's big weekend festival taking place in Preston it really doesn't seem like a whole year since the same event took over our town of sunny Dundee. The twelve months that have passed since then have certainly been filled with many ups and downs in camp Descartes. A year ago we were playing our second ever gig in the first stage of Descartes in front of an insane crowd at Dundee's small Globe Bar, at the time we couldn't have imagined the amount of daft things that would happen in between, such as scary trips to fife, outdoor gigs in front of two children and a dog, the band falling to pieces, Mr Paul Markie coming on board, and eventually us getting good. Its been wild and drunken, and jeeeezo I hope this year is more straight forward.
I watched Maximo Park and Klaxons on the BBC coverage of the festival last night. I had forgotten how much I loved the first Maximo Park album, though now the band trouble me as their singer has so many of the physical looks and attributes of a rapist. Klaxons were fucking insane, all over the shop but still utter genius. I was forced to give up and go to bed when the Kaiser Chiefs came on though as I feared that I may cause violence to my television every time Ricky Wilson's fat Little smug face came on my screen. Everything is average nowadays. Perfect you tosser.
LOVE
X
Thursday, 17 May 2007
The Months Of May and June. A Time to Sweat
Today is May the 17th I believe, which makes it only ten little days untill our next gig, an alternative rock-o-rama at Dexters in Dundee town.
At this gig we are joined by our old gig chums and occasional commrades (their bass player recorded our demos) The Paranoid Monkeys, and one time partners in crime Cardiac.
Listening to The Paranoid Monkeys makes me feel really uncomfortable, in the way that listening to Keane makes you feel all cosy. The good way. The way that bends your mind and makes you forget that your standing in a small room next to a smelly man. They are the best unnoticed band in Scotland, if not the universe.
Having only ever played with Cardiac once my experiences are minimal, but the stand out memory is that they rock like right mad mother lovers, tight, intense and mind blowing.
A few days later (Thursday May 31st) we are off up to our second home, Aberdeen, to play a day time show at The Lemon Tree. The very idea of this is mighty strange, a DAY TIME GIG. Before The kids have finished school, at an hour when it's probably frowned upon to go on stage drunk (this would be anytime if you took the advice of Paulo "Drums" Reilly). Think It's a 1pm kick off and is free entry.
Fifteen whole days later (Friday June 15th) we make the trip back up to Aberdeen to play at Cafe Drummonds as part of an amazing Cover Your Mouth Promotions night, which is headlined by Theoretical Girl and includes much hyped Aberdeen mad heads :( .
Theoretical Girl Featured on the Digital Penetration compalation CD which was released a few months ago, a compalation that is something of a multi-media bible to the "new rave" revolution sweeping this unsuspecting nation. And :( have been in every music magazine and suppliment of any type at least once over the last year, and are always said to be rather special, I hear they have a 7 minute toaster solo in their opening song.
Back in Dundee we play a mini festival thing at Yuppies, whichs takes place over the weekend of the cities blues bonanza in the last days of June, Its sort of an anti-blues event I guess. Not got any info on this yet.
I think thats all we have for now, anything I have forgotten will be on our myspace page, www.myspace.com/thedescartes
x
At this gig we are joined by our old gig chums and occasional commrades (their bass player recorded our demos) The Paranoid Monkeys, and one time partners in crime Cardiac.
Listening to The Paranoid Monkeys makes me feel really uncomfortable, in the way that listening to Keane makes you feel all cosy. The good way. The way that bends your mind and makes you forget that your standing in a small room next to a smelly man. They are the best unnoticed band in Scotland, if not the universe.
Having only ever played with Cardiac once my experiences are minimal, but the stand out memory is that they rock like right mad mother lovers, tight, intense and mind blowing.
A few days later (Thursday May 31st) we are off up to our second home, Aberdeen, to play a day time show at The Lemon Tree. The very idea of this is mighty strange, a DAY TIME GIG. Before The kids have finished school, at an hour when it's probably frowned upon to go on stage drunk (this would be anytime if you took the advice of Paulo "Drums" Reilly). Think It's a 1pm kick off and is free entry.
Fifteen whole days later (Friday June 15th) we make the trip back up to Aberdeen to play at Cafe Drummonds as part of an amazing Cover Your Mouth Promotions night, which is headlined by Theoretical Girl and includes much hyped Aberdeen mad heads :( .
Theoretical Girl Featured on the Digital Penetration compalation CD which was released a few months ago, a compalation that is something of a multi-media bible to the "new rave" revolution sweeping this unsuspecting nation. And :( have been in every music magazine and suppliment of any type at least once over the last year, and are always said to be rather special, I hear they have a 7 minute toaster solo in their opening song.
Back in Dundee we play a mini festival thing at Yuppies, whichs takes place over the weekend of the cities blues bonanza in the last days of June, Its sort of an anti-blues event I guess. Not got any info on this yet.
I think thats all we have for now, anything I have forgotten will be on our myspace page, www.myspace.com/thedescartes
x
Cruising the multi-tech highway
Another internet thing that gives you the chance to inflate your ego whilst sitting in a small room in your parents home with your comfort blanket near by, I'm in.
Noticed someone on our myspace friends list had one of these so thought that it really must be done.
And like everyone else in the world of internet "blogging" I currently have nothing of interest to say, and wont go as far as to tell you the trivial aspects of my day, so this is it for now.
But here we are, another excuse to sit in front of a computer screen, whitteling away the hours, damn you world, damn you.
x
Noticed someone on our myspace friends list had one of these so thought that it really must be done.
And like everyone else in the world of internet "blogging" I currently have nothing of interest to say, and wont go as far as to tell you the trivial aspects of my day, so this is it for now.
But here we are, another excuse to sit in front of a computer screen, whitteling away the hours, damn you world, damn you.
x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)