We're finally making our record.

It feels like it's been in the works for ages and ages, but it's now finally happening although, because it's us, nothing has gone quite as planned...

Pete decided two days before we were due to start recording that he needed a new bass. "Yes!" we said, "guitar shopping with a time limit!" After hurriedly buying our daysavers, we did the Edinburgh guitar shop marathon on the hunt for a '51 reissue P bass. Lovely guitar. Of course, no-one had any in stock.

After Jon wrongly identified him as the singer in Jocasta Sleeps (apparently he gets Woomble comparisons too), the nice man in Guitar Guitar said that they had one in Glasgow, and could have it sent over. Fine in theory, but it would have arrived after we were due to start recording, so nae use. Not to be thwarted, we jumped on the 900 (Corstorphine is nearly Glasgow anyway...) and spent a grand total of 37 minutes in Glasgow, bought the thing and came home. Hurray!

The next day we loaded all our gear into Not Ready Studios* and set up, ready to start tracking on Monday night. Jon was, inevitably, unwell on the Monday, but nevertheless we made our way into the studio to start making some noise.

Things started to go wrong immediately. Stephen and Tom (the upstanding citizens who are committing us to tape) found that nothing was wired up and what was wired up didn't work. Cue hours of scrabbling about to get the studio to even a basic level of use. In a triumph over adversity, we eventually managed to batter out the music to three songs and made our way home to get properly stuck in the following days. There were rumblings of noise complaints but hey, it's a studio. Your're meant to make noise in a studio. That's what it's for. Aye? Aye.

So, we return on Tuesday night. We pick up our instruments and get ready to play. CRRSH. GRNNNNGH. Hmm, what's that? Oh, all the XLR cables are fucked. Marvellous. Cue another hour and a half of maintenance and we're back up and running.

Just as we're hitting the chorus of Sirens, the studio door flies open and a spectacularly irate Mr Joe Public bursts in.

"You! You! Do you know how loud this is?"

(We have the whole exchange recorded)

Jon calmly points out that we are a band paying to record in a studio, and that this involves playing instruments. Our new friend is having none of it and, after much squabbling, Stephen agrees to go up to the fellow's flat and hear what all the fuss in about. They leave, and we batter out a cracking take. Four in the can we think - this is easy!

Stephen returns. It's fucking loud. The guy's stairwell is shaking. The bannister is threatening to detach itself from the concrete. There is, it turns out, absolutely no soundproofing in Not Ready Studios. None. The owner of the studio won't answer his phone. Environmental Health have been called. We have to pack up immediately and leave.

Hmm. Marvellous.

Wednesday comes and, with it, frantic emails to and fro trying to secure somewhere to go and finish the record. After banging our collective heads against an unsoundproofed brick wall, we book into Chamber Studio (where Stephen used to work and where both Gary and Jon have recorded previously).

Chamber is the real deal. We set up, soundcheck the drums and guitars and proceed to batter out all nine songs in one evening. Pete nails the fiddly bass bit. Mark nails the bastard fill. Jon and Gary find that playing guitar without having to sing is a joy. Whoa-oh, we're halfway there! Just the singing to go, that's easy. We can definitely do all the vocals for nine songs in one four hour sitting. Definitely.

Hmm.

We return to Chamber and start to track the vocals, but it becomes swiftly apparent that we have not got enough time and we're hoarse as fuck after four songs. Shit. We stop, and have a proper think about what to do. We take all the tracks off the tape onto computer, and decided to spend a proper amount of time on the singing. We'll go through each song with a fine tooth comb, working on melodies, harmonies, lyrics and everything else and record one song at a time. In short, we'll not record an album in two days like insane people. We'll make the singing fucking brilliant to match the music (modesty eh?).

So, here endeth update number one. The music is all done, and was all done live. It sounds really, really good. Pete reckons we're punk as fuck for recording it all live. We're certainly punker than Green Day are these days. But then, so's Leona Lewis. Zing! Ahem, sorry. Vocal work starts today. Strepsils on tap. Exciting times. It's going to fucking rule when it's done.


*names have been changed to protect the unsoundproofed

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On an incredibly sad note, last week our friend Dave's dad died. He dj-ed under the name of Todius and we've done sessions for him in the past (one of the songs is on the player). It's absolutely tragic, and our thoughts go out to Dave and Stu. Commiserations don't seem anywhere near enough.

Here's to you Gordon.

x

Well, it's finally happening.

Anyone who has been following our circus of japes and tears since our birth two years ago will know that a fair few people have served in the good ship Curators, but we have now chained down our big hitting line up.

The latest and greatest addition to the fold is Mark Cameron on drums. We all know the old adage about a band only being as good as its drummer, but we have had more than our fair share of turmoil surrounding the drum stool and know it to be true. It is frankly brilliant that we have finally got our man and, in the words of TLC, he's a mighty, mighty good man.

The last piece of the puzzle having fallen into place, we have now booked studio time to go in and record our debut album. This will be the culmination of the last two year's work, and has certainly been a long time coming, but we're all more excited about it than mere smilies can attest, and it is going to be good. We are talking with some fine people about putting it out, and I can't wait for you all to hear it. In my head, it's already done. I just need to brush up on my sweep picking...joking, joking.

We're recording with the mad sound scientist that is Stephen Watkins. In ten years time, everyone will be queing up to work with him, mark my words. If there's a more passionate, knowledgeable, accomplished, experimental and downright entertaining guy to work with, he can only have been been built by genius aliens from the planet Awesome.

The tracklisting (subject to change, and in no particular order) is currently:

Turn The Lights Down
State Of Grace
Dead Men Tell No Tales
Sirens
Why Can't We Be Lovers?
You Control The Lightning
Tonight
I Am The Rocket
Five And A Boot

Being in this band has been something of a rollercoaster thus far, and we've had more setbacks in two years than most bands have in ten, but this is where we finally get to make our mark, however small that mark might be. We owe Sam Kidd a huge thanks for the artwork he's done (it's amazing, obliquely conjuring up Edinburgh without ever being obvious), and we will soon owe Si an equally huge thanks for his typographical wizardry.

Our last live outing before recording will be the 15th of November at Henry's in Edinburgh. We're playing with our buddies Taking Chase and Above Them who are up here on tour. I urge you to check out both bands.

To everyone who has put us on, helped us out with gigs, come to see us, offered encouragement and advice, lent us stuff and kept us on track - thanks.

Really.

J

x

Hello there folks,

As per usual, it's been a little while since we were last on the blog (oo-er). We've had a fantastic response to the live songs giveaway (if there is anyone who still wants the songs, just send us your email) which has been a nice little ego boost for us in The Time Of Great Change.

The Time Of Great Change (hereafter referred to as TTOGC) has seen us carelessly mislay Sean and, after re-appearing to play the Wintersleep gig, has also seen Rich move to a galaxy far, far away. Anyone who saw us at the Jocasta Sleeps single launch will have seen yet another new face on the drum stool, but we have since parted ways with Dan too.

And you thought I was joking about Spinal Tap.

So, the hunt for a real live drummer has begun in earnest. We want someone to be a proper part of our band rather than a hired gun, so we'll be taking our time with this one. In the words of Shampoo, "uh-oh, we're in trouble because we're worth it". Erm, hold on...ach, never mind, basically we want to make sure we get it right. Stick with us, it'll be phoenix-esque.

During TTOGC, new songs are being incubated and we'll be making occasional acoustic sorties out of the trenches, starting with a Jon solo gig at GRV on Saturday the 25th. Gary and Jon did a live session for Devil's Kitchen Radio and once the tracks are mixed they'll be on the player.

More news as we have it and if you're a drummer, get in touch...

x

Thanks to Alex at Fentek Audio, we have a recording of our set on the player. It was recorded at the Wee Red Bar, opening for Wintersleep (who were brilliant), and we owe a debt of thanks to everyone who came down to see us.

In fact, if you would like the tracks to yourself, message us. We'll email you the mp3s and you can print out this lovingly created Exclusive Artwork TM. Can't say fairer than that!

Front Cover

Back Cover

x

Our stint on tour with The Marionettes and Isolated Atoms was rather foreshortened by the cancellation of the Dundee show (thanks Dexters, buy a diary?), but we did manage to play two dates.

Friday night was Sleazy's in Glasgow, and although there wasn't much of a crowd, it was a real joy to be back playing again. December seems ages ago, and so we were raring to go, augmented by the mighty Sean on the drums in Rich's absence. This was the first time we'd seen The Marionettes, and they totally blew me away. Incredibly energetic and fast, they were great, and I may have said this loudly to anyone who would listen. Being the sociable young men we are, we made friends and shook our collective thang down the front for them as they did for us. This made for a happy drive back along the M8, soundtracked by Frightened Rabbit who, despite initially deciding bizarrely that I wouldn't like them, are fucking ace. So, to bed, with our fingers crossed that people would come out for the Edinburgh gig on Saturday.

We needn't have worried. It was incredibly flattering to see so many of our friends out at the Ark, and I think we made some new ones as we went along. Despite turing into a mammoth 5 band bill, we eventually made our way onstage at 10, and played what I honestly think is the best gig I've ever been involved with. People were dancing, jumping, drinking and generally making us feel like kings, and apparently you could tell how much we were enjoying ourselves as we hurtled through our set.

Rich made an epic car journey to come and see us, and I'm really chuffed that we managed to persuade him to come up and give us some mighty percussion for the last song. Phil Spector ain't got nothing on us. Except perhaps a shotgun...

Once again, The Marionettes were fantastic. They went on right after us, and as the booze flowed more and more, my dancing became...let's call it "interpretive". I understand there are videos about to surface on Youtube - I can only imagine what they'll contain...

Special mention must also go to Ralph for giving us a truly excellent sound out front. Nothing gives you added confidence on stage like the sure knowledge that you aren't sounding like a bee in a jam jar.

So, shortest tour ever but damn good fun. See you at Sneaky Pete's on the 14th?

J

The first couple of months of 2009 have been relatively quiet for us, but we're now pretty much back  in the saddle.

Jon has played a few acoustic gigs recently, and last week opened for Tame Impala, State of Affairs, Flashguns and Casiokids over two days, heralding the arrival of Drunken Adventure Weekend. Our good friends Sean and Andy from Grace Emilys ventured down from their Dundee fortress to visit, and so we had a heady three days of gigs, euphemisms, ill-advised casino trips, hand-driers that spew out flames, unrequited love, urban dictionary and Bloody Marys (with extra Tabasco). As a result, this has not been an easy Monday to negotiate. DOOM has been ever present...argh.

In other news, although Gary made it back in one piece from his New Zealand extravaganza, Rich has yet to be airlifted out and so we are welcoming an old comrade of Jon's to the drum stool for the next batch of gigs. Some of you may have seen him in Baillie & The Fault or The Martial Arts, but now if you have sufficiently good taste to come and see us in the next couple of months, you will see the svelte Sean McGrath behind the kit! This is exciting stuff, not least of all because Sean's film knowledge is second to none. Pete's already planning his questions. Charades is clearly in the offing...

A couple of days ago, we did that most modern of things: the Email Interview. Oh yes, we're like Tron these days, better believe it. With added cogs and lights.

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Describe your sound in 5 words?

 “Distorted pop music with brains!”

Who in the band is most likely to have a yeast infection?

 “Erm…he’ll kill me for saying but it has to be Pete! All
that travelling, he’s bound to have got all yeasty at some point! Ha ha, nah, I’m
only joking, I reckon we’d all pass a trip to the GUM clinic with flying
colours…”

Best gig and worst gig?

 “The worst gig is easy. We played in Glasgow on the night of
the Champions League final, and the venue didn’t put any of the bands on until
after the game, which went to extra time and then penalties. We were last band
on, and by the time we got on stage, everyone was leaving after a gruelling
night. To make it worse, Gary’s distortion
pedal broke and then one of the amps did too! As for the best, we all have
different ideas but I’d say it was the last night of our tour with Little
Comets when we played Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh.
The place was rammed, we played really well and everybody was dancing! That was
great.”



Your influences?

 “I’d say our individual influences are really varied, but as
far as the band goes: Weezer, Idlewild, The Get Up Kids, the list goes on. Individually,
Rich is into metal, Pete is into hip hop and punk, and Gary and I like most
things with a good melody and a guitar.”



Dream band line-up?

 “The guys will kill me if I don’t say we already have it!
Perhaps we could draft in Brody Dalle to sing some backing, and I’d get a 1994 James
Dean Bradfield in to play a solo…nah, I think we’ve got it just right.”



Dream Gig line-up?

 “That’s tough. Gary
would want some vintage Smashing Pumpkins, we’d both love The Wildhearts and
Idlewild, I’d want Holy Bible era Manics and Bright Eyes, Rich would probably
go for Metallica and Pete might like a bit of Sublime. To be honest, my dream
line up is any one which doesn’t have a slap bass within a million miles. In
fact, I’d say as long as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers aren’t playing, I’m happy.”



Why should people listen to you?

 “Because people need good music in their lives. There’s
enough crap already! I think we’re really immediate but we also have depth and
honesty, without being boring. I love distorted pop music with brains, and that’s
us. In fact, go back, the answer to the first questions should be ‘distorted
pop music with brains’!”



The best band people have never heard of?

“There’s loads! There’s an ace band from Dundee
called Yakon Truck that I’ve never seen live but got their stuff online and its
ace. I would say The Xcerts, but everyone will have heard of them soon enough.
Ach, there are millions, but the best
band people have never heard of is obviously us! We’re so cult status…”



Favourite venue?

“Hmm, I love The Moorings in Aberdeen,
but Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh is a
brilliant wee venue.”



Favourite drinking hole?

“For me, it’s got to be Sofi’s in Leith.
It’s amazing, the beers are great and the staff are amazing.”



The End. Fall from stage with grace or hang around covering Tom Jones hits on a
cruise ship?

“Well, it’s always better to burn out than to fade away isn’t
it? I’d say that any band should stop when they get shit. I’m not naming any
names…”



What in the music industry grinds your gears?

“People who are only interested in you until they’ve got
what they want. I also worry about fashionable bands. To me, that speaks
volumes about how throwaway some people view music as being. I think you can
make pop music that is intelligent, and that more people should.”



Favourite song lyric?

“He who fucks nuns will later join the church.”

So, the Little Comets shows have come and gone, and very fucking good they were too.

Despite driving through ice and snow, we made it to Aberdeen to play the Tunnels on the Tuesday(photos are up), we braved the rain and the M8 to make it to Glasgow on the Wednesday and we survived the drunken wing mirror rage of angry neds to get back to Edinburgh for the Thursday night.

Special mention has to go to the Sneaky Pete's gig as it is one of the busiest Edinburgh shows I've ever been involved in - people were dancing and jumping to us, which was like one long stroke of our collective shaft. Hurray! Collective shaft stroking is the new black.

We managed to squeeze in new songs, play really well and generally whet our appetites for next year. 2009 is going to be good.

x