I FEEL I'M ON TOP AGAIN LATELY

russ recording guitars .

ROCKERS AND JOCKS

Rikers pick for the world series.

Anyone wishing to place bets can call the warden.

MENTAL PREPARATIONS, BASS INTENTIONS

Recording bass, another brick...

INDIGO

Russ recording guitars on INDIGO.

LYRIC SCRATCH PAD

I can't sleep
You're in my head
We're just animals
Once we're fed
We keep coming back again

TURN ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS

Back in the studio for a few days coming up . Tracking bass and guitars. new stuff is coming together nicely .

pre studio playlist :

Robert Palmer
Twin Shadow
Catherine Wheel

RECORD REVIEW - ALEX

GENTLE GIANT - CIVILIAN

If great records speak for themselves, "Civilian" is probably not a great record, though it definitely has some "great" elements. Gentle Giant was known for their complex arrangements and incorporation of influences that ranged from jazz to baroque and mediaeval music. Released in 1980, "Civilian" straddled the end of the classic rock and prog rock era and the beginning of new wave. Because of this, and their relative lack of prior commercial success, Giant pursued a more direct sound, with simpler arrangements and straightforward vocal hooks. This approach when combined with their inherent "weirdness" led to an awkward blend of synth infused prog and classic rock and roll. Despite its shortcomings both then and now, I keep coming back to this record. You can hear the compromise in the music, as if every song is a conversation between the purists in the band and the guys who wanted to make a commcercial impact before calling it quits (this was Gentle Giant's last record).

The opening track, "Convenience" is driving and fast, with an off kilter arrpegiator throughout and an almost Judas Priest-like guitar riff. "Number One," with its ridulously triumphant major chorus ("I'm number one, and you're still no one,") sounds more like hair rock, but with key and bass lines that sound more classical if anything. "I Am a Camera" is my favourite track, and is most musically symbolic of the crossroads the band must have been at. It's built around a straightforward major two chord rock riff, and most bands would have left it at that. But Giant throws in a minor ascending line that the guitars, keys and bass play in unison which probably would have destroyed any commercial potential given what was popular in 1980.

It's often said that records encapsulate where the band was musically and personally at the time of writing/recording, If that's true, Gentle Giant must have been really fucking confused, and overall I would say that this record is made up of moments rather than songs. But if you're a music junkie, it's definitely worth picking up.

THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

In Toronto tonight ?
Check out our brothers from different mothers BIRTHDAY BOYS at sneaky dees ( Bathurst & college )

Full disclosure : some of us have the same mothers.

RIKERS - MINUTES (DEMO)

TRACKING DRUMS

the waiting is the hardest part.

RECORDING DRUMS

These are drums.

Location:Vespa Studios

I'D LIKE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU

RECORDING UPDATE

after spending the past month in the rehearsal space doing pre pro, we're hitting the studio again next week to finish up our recordings.

the wait for new material has been long but it's coming soon . we promise.

LYRIC SCRATCH PAD

indigo

now i know

i'm not believing you

that you're a little blue

i say

you're a shade of grey

LIVE PIC

here's a photo from our show at the hunter street festival in peterborough a few weeks ago.

thanks to elizabeth thipphawong for taking some cool shots.