From Parties to Snakes.

G'day all, just a entry to post up a recording done yesterday by myself and Billy.
We got together mid morning and after some repairs to billy's recording software on his laptop, got straight into creating something new.

Thought we would take a different approach today, well different for Billy maybe it is the usual approach that I take, but I don't think Billy was familiar with the process I use, so he seemed a little skeptical at first.

We put down a few drum and bass loops that we were happy with, and then recorded a few loops to arrange throughout the song, mainly guitar riffs etc. This was our basic structure for the arrangement, and from there we added sections as needed.

As you can hear it is a cross between the soundscapes I would normally create on my own, and what we would normally do as a collective, so... enjoy !

Cheers
Ecca


Path of the Snakeman

More Party

Last few days have been rather quiet, had been looking forward to a quiet weekend, and in some regards it was. On Saturday, got together with Wayne and the crew at his place for a band jam/rehearsal, looks like the Wayne and Billy's MIDI band may have evolved into a full blown production with no MIDI at all. Which is always a good thing I guess.

The guys wanted to come over during the week to put down a new tune, Jen suggested they did this on holiday Monday as she would be home and be able to experience the whole process. (Normally she is at work when the guys pop over so doesn't really get to see what we get up to).

Billy wasn't feeling too well on the morning and was trying to pike out of the day, but we convinced him to rock up with headache and all.

We played around with another of Wayne's tunes, added a few bits to it, took a few bits out, and soon we had another little ditty to play around with. That night I mixed and rearranged some of the sections, added some keys (which I usually do once the guys leave), and also added a bass guitar part.

The idea for lyrics came fairly easily, the song gave me a old time lounge / jazz feel and reminded me of a Tom Waits style tune. I kept on thinking of his song 'Underground' off the album "Swordfishtrombones", but adapted the theme a little, so I soon got down to writing about how all the insects and vermin play around the house once the humans go to sleep. The lyrics are included below.

I recorded the vocals and may still add some party noises over the instrumental section as this seems to go for a little too long without something to hold it together, but anyway take a listen to it from the link below. Cheers.




Theres a bat wing shadow on my screen door
theres a six legged shuffle on my kitchen floor
the faint sounds of transistor jazz
theres a party when the lights go out.

arachnids all groove in their webs
Jitterbugs jivin under the bed
the night's lights a mirror ball
The house is thier stage
Theres a party when the lights go out.

The rodents are smoking them fat cigars
like their hanging in some mobster club
in their cocktail dresses and ratail suits
swinging from the rafters to a rhythm guitar
or just taking in the moon on a clear dark night
The skylight's a window to million stars

Ferret face freddy shakin on them bones
Frank blowin hard on the saxaphone
the nights not over till the rat lady sings
theres a party when the lights go out

Outside their watching for the crack of dawn
theres an owl on a branch and crow on the lawn
Hootin and crowing when its all over
They only party when the lights go out.




Party when the lights go out

Party on dudes

have had parties on my mind recently, went to a great one last weekend for Billy's 49th, was a fantastic night, all the usual muso friends were there, was great to see them all and have a jam with many of them.

On Tuesday Billy and Wayne popped over to put some sounds down, and there was a tune Wayne played me some time ago which I was impressed with, so we decided to work on it, we needed to write a chorus and bridge, but the basic verse riff was great and inspiring, so the rest wasn't too hard.

We managed to get the guitar bass and keys down by the arvo, and the song was left with me to add some additional instruments (drums, flute), and to tidy up and produce a little.
4am the next morning this was all done.

Wednesday, morning I started writing some lyrics and the agreed title of the song Afterparty sort of left an impression. I played around with the idea that when you are young and full of energy you tend to party hard not really caring about much but it all affects your later life (the afterparty).

So you can gather what the song is about, no need to give you the lyrics.

Check it out below.

Cheers !


Afterparty

Ecca the slacker

I've been accused of being a slacko and not updating this blog.

Well stay tuned...some suprises on their way.

By the way Bryzy, I know who you are and where you live, and the school your children go to.... :)

Musical Lunch

Recently I have had the pleasure of coming across a sort of audiobook of one of my favorite novels (and movies for that matter) being William S Burroughs' Naked Lunch.

I was desperately hoping that the recording was by Burroughs himself which to my excitement it turned out to be.

The recording ended up being only excerpts from the book, though one of the first things which popped into my head was to use some of the readings for spoken word pieces, so I immediately started working on some tunes to back the legendary Burroughs voice.

I was very tempted to do something weird and abstract but then decided that something melodious and rhythmical would also be nice. I remember hearing a few years back the album that he did with a hip hop band (Disposable Disciples of Hiphopracy I think it was), called Spare Ass Annie, and how it suited his voice well.

The only drawback with the voice recording is the quality, it's not great.

Enjoy the Links below.

Cheers
Ecca

The Black Meat

Meeting of International Conference

Tubby Fear.

It's amazing how someone's offhanded comment can inspire you when you play them a song before you put lyrics to it, The guys got together and recorded a song last Tuesday and I hadn't recorded the vocals to it yet ( Wayne had written them).

Upon playing it to Jen she shook her head and commented what provoked us to write a kids song and that it should be the new teletubby's theme as it was all jangly and ska like

It inspired me to put alternate lyrics to it (after I recorded Wayne's written ones as to not disappoint him), yet I couldn't resist the temptation to record the alternate version as well. Upon mentioning this to Billy he liked the idea and encouraged me to do the deed, so posted below is a tune called 'Teletubby Nightmare' with the lyrics so you can all sing along....

Just for reference, Ragdoll productions are the Teletubby Production Company, Tele tustard is preferred Teletubby food, and Linda Blair starred in the Exorcist movie for the uninitiated.

Enjoy !

Cheers
Ecca


When I lay myself to sleep
Freddie Kruger he don't bother me
My tormentors come from my TV
Ragdoll productions and the BBC

Teletubby nightmare

Well Alice Cooper welcomed me to his
Now I know just what evil is
Just like he told me, there is no escape
Baby talk and colored suits
Take me to my darkest place.

Watching Linda Blair seems like a comedy
It doesn't seem to strike any fear in me
But when you mention the names of tele crew
It makes me projectile vomit tele tustard spew

Teletubby Nightmare

Have a musical weekend

What a great weekend I've had.
Basically all I did was play music and hang out with Jen, perfect as far as I can tell.

Thursday night was a great night as usual at Jake's Jam, with some regulars and old friends turning up and having a good ole play together. Yes it can get loud and messy at times, but what the hey, we're all having a great time.

Friday night, I was asked to play with a local 50's - 60's rock and roll outfit. Great band, tight, all fine musicians, and as expected I had a ball. First time I had played with them, it felt so natural and after a few apprehensive numbers, I felt totally comfortable. I was actually asked to join them the following night at another gig, but i had a daytime gig to do, so unfortunately had to decline.

Saturday, Jen and I joined a group of musicians offering an afternoon of entertainment for a charity function. We had a great time and were well received.

Sunday Jen and I sang and played at a local market, which went really well, we had a friend of mine with us playing guitar, and banjo, and it sounded great. Looks like it is a regular gig every 6 weeks or so. looking forward to it again in April.

The guys were around again yesterday, we worked on a new song of Wayne's (which I hope we didn't mess around with too much as it ended up sounding quite Ska), i put some vocals on it today from Lyrics Wayne game me, but I thing I will rewrite them to suit the style more, it will be a surprise post in the not too distant future.

Today I will leave you with another tune I did on the new keyboard, it is a Prince style number, take a listen if you want, and feel free to comment.

Cheers.
Ecca


Suzie's Emancipation