So far so good. The first budding Stone Jesters singer has come down to try out and she was good! Definitely in Boots The Space boy’s league.
We haven’t committed ourselves as we have a few more to see on Monday (about 5) if they all turn up that is. The Stone Jesters are starting to really gel as a band now we have even started working on a new song......well ,wifey wrote it months ago and we jammed it before Boots even joined the band . It re surfaced on Monday and is a real rocker ...nice heavy bass line and The Holy One added his bit onto it ....can’t wit to get a singer to round it off. Wifey is going to add a solo over the top too.
Ok here is the announcement ..............(drum role) ..............Wifey and I’s side venture .......Folk rock outfit Spriggan Mist are releasing our first EP.....Konditions of Change. On June the 2nd. It features 5 tracks all penned by Wifey with a little assistance from your truly. It has had some strange reactions at Market research stage (me playing it in the office) We have had people laughing all the way through my singing...that was one of the Oompah loompahs (two girls in my office are below 5ft in height)......she reckoned as it was cos she can’t imagine me as a singer........yep I can relate to that neither do I. Dragut’s Eye had someone actually cry as it touched them emotionally (I shit you not!..........and no she didn’t ask me to turn it off either.) The artwork is all done by the Dark Marge....and looks fantastic!!!!! All those years locked in his bedroom haven’t gone to waste...I mean what was he actually doing in there?!?!?!? I mean I did sneak in a few times as a kid and I hot the standard response “OUT!” especially when I caught him dancing to Madness’s “One step Beyond” in true nutty boy style........oh and there was the time that Father Dearest walked in on one of his first girlfriends and...........well maybe for another blog!........(I can feel The Marge cringe before even publishing this crap.....plus I’m sure he could dig up a lot of dirt back)
Back to the EP I am immensely proud of it, every time I hear it, I hear bits that we could of done better but I think that is a healthy thing.......it’s our first recording after all. The whole point of starting the band was to become better musicians having two musical ventures just broadens the horizons. They are indeed poles apart but I think that keeps both ventures fresh and healthy.
The Ferrari arrives this week.........no I have no delusions of grandeur (we’re not even signed to a label) No Mother Dearest will be in receipt of her Mobility Scooter this week. “ The Ferrari “ is red and we are looking to find some go faster stripes for her. Maybe a flame pattern up the side or something .
Cruella my ex boss came into the office to see us yesterday........just to confirm she is reading the blogs she gave me a bollocking for not continuing my virtual weightwatchers on these pages........now why do you think that is boss!..........yep I’m an FB!....ok ok...... 18st 2lbs
Wednesday 28 May 2008
Friday 23 May 2008
The High's and lows
It’s a funny old thing really life innit.? I mean one minute you are high (and I don’t mean drug induced ) the next you are low . I’ve refrained from writing my dribbly chronicles recently as things have been very very hectic. I’ve changed my role at work and am officially on the same team as Mr T and Road Runner with my boss (back from off sick) Sasquatch. Although it seems I spend most of my time seconded to the council offices with another bunch of interesting people......but more about them for another day!!!!!!!! New role new ideas new issues to deal with I dunno it’s been tiring so today I am officially on leave till Tuesday next week that’s four whole days........I should be starting the chores......”Don’t worry Wifey” I said “I’m off Friday I’ll do all the chores then” as I set the settee on recline and watched Chelsea finish their season with less silverware than the mighty Pompey!!!!(More about that later) but now Friday is here ....I wish I’d been a bit more diligent throughout the week
So last weekend was a blast ....at Wembley for the cup final on Saturday to see the Mighty Pompey play Cardiff. The guy I went with Darlo (who I shall forever be in debt to for getting the tickets through our work) rang me Saturday morning and informed me that maybe I shouldn’t wear my Pompey top. As I took the blue shirt off I enquired as to why......”well ...the tickets were purchased by the job from Cardiff’s allocation” Nooooooo!!!!!!
So a few hours later we were walking up Wembley way the Wembley arch in front of us and as we were in the Cardiff end we had to walk with the Welsh into our seats. My dream was realised, here I was at the Cup Final . Pompey fans by far out sang the Cardiff fans. I noticed that there were about 10 people all around me obviously in the same job and displaced like I was, we all nervously looked at each other . When Pompey scored we all jumped up and screamed Yes!!!!!! (we are the only country to do this you know...everyone else shouts Goal!”) suddenly about a thousand faces all looked round in disgust.......we gingerly took to our seats and kind of hoped we weren’t to incur the wrath of the Welsh and get battered with a leek or something!...At the end of the match with the trophy firmly in Sol Campbell’s hands, to be fair the Cardiff fans around us shook our hands and certainly walking back to the tube station we were held up a bit and a Pompey supporter shouted
“Come on these Cardiff boys have got Wives and sheep to go home to!”
A very jolly Welsh accent retorted
“ Who’s got a wife then?”
Another replied “ Sod the wife “
So there maybe some truth in the Welsh and their sheep fetish after all!!!!
So after the highs of the FA cup and Pompey picking up more silverware than Liverpool Arsenal and Chelsea the Sunday was taken up by Dubs in the Park (Vee Dubs that is) that was a good family day out ....We saw the “Flaming poo” a split screen camper ...brown in colour with go faster flames on the front ....unfortunately his wheel fell off....I mean proper fell off ....the Poo’s driver hadn’t tightened it up enough .....oops Twas a good day and Me,Wifey and the kids felt very relaxed for a change!
Then Monday was Band practice ..Bara banshik was in Dubai on his hollies so Woodster’s hubby stood in for our holidaying drummer. (No one can really replace our Barabanshik but hey! .) Now what goes on in the band stays in the band but fireworks erupted which has resulted in Woody leaving the band which was a shame but we wish her well and thank her for her hard work, as she really does take her singing seriously and does get full marks for the effort she puts in. So after a few days to reflect Stone Jesters are back on track. and looking for a singer .....to our surprise we have 5 singers coming to try out, two more who are very established singers who will cover the three gigs we have if we can’t find anyone. We have had some very reassuring comments from some of these singers who are playing the MP3s on myspace who think we are a great band . Sometimes in the face of adversity, something happens...which looks really bad ....ends up doing you a huge favour....role on Monday...bring it on we are strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So although my birthday gig has been kind of ruined .........we will be bigger and better for July I just know it!
Mother dearest as some of you know got rushed in to hospital last week.......she is out and about now and back to her tricks I know loads of you MD fans out there enquired after her .She is in the market for a mobility scooter at the moment (Dark Marge reckons that will boost my blogging material) she also recently tried making a phone call using her telly remote ?!?!?!?!.....
So that is it really ...a whirl wind update as to what I have been up to...oh yes only 11 days to my birthday everyone...that’s June the 3rd!!!!!!!
So last weekend was a blast ....at Wembley for the cup final on Saturday to see the Mighty Pompey play Cardiff. The guy I went with Darlo (who I shall forever be in debt to for getting the tickets through our work) rang me Saturday morning and informed me that maybe I shouldn’t wear my Pompey top. As I took the blue shirt off I enquired as to why......”well ...the tickets were purchased by the job from Cardiff’s allocation” Nooooooo!!!!!!
So a few hours later we were walking up Wembley way the Wembley arch in front of us and as we were in the Cardiff end we had to walk with the Welsh into our seats. My dream was realised, here I was at the Cup Final . Pompey fans by far out sang the Cardiff fans. I noticed that there were about 10 people all around me obviously in the same job and displaced like I was, we all nervously looked at each other . When Pompey scored we all jumped up and screamed Yes!!!!!! (we are the only country to do this you know...everyone else shouts Goal!”) suddenly about a thousand faces all looked round in disgust.......we gingerly took to our seats and kind of hoped we weren’t to incur the wrath of the Welsh and get battered with a leek or something!...At the end of the match with the trophy firmly in Sol Campbell’s hands, to be fair the Cardiff fans around us shook our hands and certainly walking back to the tube station we were held up a bit and a Pompey supporter shouted
“Come on these Cardiff boys have got Wives and sheep to go home to!”
A very jolly Welsh accent retorted
“ Who’s got a wife then?”
Another replied “ Sod the wife “
So there maybe some truth in the Welsh and their sheep fetish after all!!!!
So after the highs of the FA cup and Pompey picking up more silverware than Liverpool Arsenal and Chelsea the Sunday was taken up by Dubs in the Park (Vee Dubs that is) that was a good family day out ....We saw the “Flaming poo” a split screen camper ...brown in colour with go faster flames on the front ....unfortunately his wheel fell off....I mean proper fell off ....the Poo’s driver hadn’t tightened it up enough .....oops Twas a good day and Me,Wifey and the kids felt very relaxed for a change!
Then Monday was Band practice ..Bara banshik was in Dubai on his hollies so Woodster’s hubby stood in for our holidaying drummer. (No one can really replace our Barabanshik but hey! .) Now what goes on in the band stays in the band but fireworks erupted which has resulted in Woody leaving the band which was a shame but we wish her well and thank her for her hard work, as she really does take her singing seriously and does get full marks for the effort she puts in. So after a few days to reflect Stone Jesters are back on track. and looking for a singer .....to our surprise we have 5 singers coming to try out, two more who are very established singers who will cover the three gigs we have if we can’t find anyone. We have had some very reassuring comments from some of these singers who are playing the MP3s on myspace who think we are a great band . Sometimes in the face of adversity, something happens...which looks really bad ....ends up doing you a huge favour....role on Monday...bring it on we are strong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So although my birthday gig has been kind of ruined .........we will be bigger and better for July I just know it!
Mother dearest as some of you know got rushed in to hospital last week.......she is out and about now and back to her tricks I know loads of you MD fans out there enquired after her .She is in the market for a mobility scooter at the moment (Dark Marge reckons that will boost my blogging material) she also recently tried making a phone call using her telly remote ?!?!?!?!.....
So that is it really ...a whirl wind update as to what I have been up to...oh yes only 11 days to my birthday everyone...that’s June the 3rd!!!!!!!
Tuesday 13 May 2008
Folking turned Hippy!!!
It’s happening to me!!!!! Not only have I purchased some multi coloured trousers of which Joseph would have been proud to go with his dream coat....I made a special trip to get some small bells on a techni-coloured rope to hang from my bass. I’m enjoying playing folk rock!!!!! And to top it off I’ve just bought Jethro Tull’s greatest hits!!!!.........I’m turning into a hippy.........
I have achieved many of my dreams in my life. My family ,I have the job I’ve always wanted, have represented both my countries in my chosen sport ,won medals for those countries in my chosen sport......became World Champion too suppose can’t get better. Mother Dearest will tell you I’ve always wanted to see a cup final at Wembley. With the mighty Pompey reaching the final this year I had a fleeting idea to try and get tickets and thought .......FA Cup tickets and rocking horse doo doo go hand in hand so i resigned myself to watching it on telly ....until yesterday the big bloke at work “Darlo” mentions in passing that he was trying to get tickets through work and would I be interested? ....this morning he’s only gone and secured a ticket each for me and him!!!!!!!!
“Ce sera sera what ever will be will be we’re going to Wembley Ce Sera Sera!!!!!!!!!”
“Play up Pompey ......Pompey play up”
So Cinders you will go to Wembley!!!Another dream chalked off the board....I wonder if Pompey can chalk another one off and win the cup........?????
I have achieved many of my dreams in my life. My family ,I have the job I’ve always wanted, have represented both my countries in my chosen sport ,won medals for those countries in my chosen sport......became World Champion too suppose can’t get better. Mother Dearest will tell you I’ve always wanted to see a cup final at Wembley. With the mighty Pompey reaching the final this year I had a fleeting idea to try and get tickets and thought .......FA Cup tickets and rocking horse doo doo go hand in hand so i resigned myself to watching it on telly ....until yesterday the big bloke at work “Darlo” mentions in passing that he was trying to get tickets through work and would I be interested? ....this morning he’s only gone and secured a ticket each for me and him!!!!!!!!
“Ce sera sera what ever will be will be we’re going to Wembley Ce Sera Sera!!!!!!!!!”
“Play up Pompey ......Pompey play up”
So Cinders you will go to Wembley!!!Another dream chalked off the board....I wonder if Pompey can chalk another one off and win the cup........?????
Wednesday 7 May 2008
All Folked Up !!!
Being off sick when the sun is shining sucks!!!! Tuesday morning after a night of tossing and turning I awoke to find my body had aged about 30 years and I had a head pounding more than Barabanshik's bass drum. Wifey had it last week lasted a few days and I certainly have it this week I've even cancelled my bass lesson...and was off my food yesterday too. Two of the few fundamental requirements for living for me...nearly up there with family and Torchwood...
The weekend was a toughie Wifey and I set about recording two more songs for our side venture which has a working title of Cultural Karma. CK is Wifey's vehicle for expressing her folk, folk rock side with a little touch of ambient in there too. We will come up with a band name but at this time it really is a studio type effort. Mainly because of the time Stone Jesters takes and the fact that wifey plays all instruments apart from bass on the tracks which as good at multi tasking she may be would be near on impossible to do without backing tracks or folk musicians. I love doing that stuff and I think she writes some very clever stuff in this kind of Genre.
Check it out. There are 3 songs on there at the moment Earth Calling, Echoes of Beltane and Lazy Stones...just go to the link at the bottom.
Let us know what you think. Mother dearest likes it as does The Dark Marge. We will be adding more as and when.
Whilst we were on the subject of Mother dearest...she has done it again in Tesco's...
We approached the Deli counter and as we perused Mother Dearest pointed to a huge Sausage of Salami and said out loud..." This reminds me of your father!!!!!" The lady behind the counter nearly fell over ....I wanted to .........and crawl off into a dark hole ......
She defended herself saying that Father Dearest loved to buy from the deli counter but I wheeled her away before the staff behind the counter got sacked for an outbreak in morale such was the laughter that echoed around the store....Yes you guessed it ...there was a little old lady walking by nearly had a heart attack....most unamused.
Rehearsals went well on Monday. The Woodster's voice is still not right...but on the mend. Does kind of help when she sings out the right end of the Mic though.........No I kid you not ...easy done isn't it ...to miss that huge ball thing on the end of a stick .....near your mouth but hey ho!!!!!
That's a Nuff ......Off for a rest.........
http://www.myspace.com/culturalkarma
The weekend was a toughie Wifey and I set about recording two more songs for our side venture which has a working title of Cultural Karma. CK is Wifey's vehicle for expressing her folk, folk rock side with a little touch of ambient in there too. We will come up with a band name but at this time it really is a studio type effort. Mainly because of the time Stone Jesters takes and the fact that wifey plays all instruments apart from bass on the tracks which as good at multi tasking she may be would be near on impossible to do without backing tracks or folk musicians. I love doing that stuff and I think she writes some very clever stuff in this kind of Genre.
Check it out. There are 3 songs on there at the moment Earth Calling, Echoes of Beltane and Lazy Stones...just go to the link at the bottom.
Let us know what you think. Mother dearest likes it as does The Dark Marge. We will be adding more as and when.
Whilst we were on the subject of Mother dearest...she has done it again in Tesco's...
We approached the Deli counter and as we perused Mother Dearest pointed to a huge Sausage of Salami and said out loud..." This reminds me of your father!!!!!" The lady behind the counter nearly fell over ....I wanted to .........and crawl off into a dark hole ......
She defended herself saying that Father Dearest loved to buy from the deli counter but I wheeled her away before the staff behind the counter got sacked for an outbreak in morale such was the laughter that echoed around the store....Yes you guessed it ...there was a little old lady walking by nearly had a heart attack....most unamused.
Rehearsals went well on Monday. The Woodster's voice is still not right...but on the mend. Does kind of help when she sings out the right end of the Mic though.........No I kid you not ...easy done isn't it ...to miss that huge ball thing on the end of a stick .....near your mouth but hey ho!!!!!
That's a Nuff ......Off for a rest.........
http://www.myspace.com/culturalkarma
Sunday 4 May 2008
Flyer released
The Flyer for the 1st of June gig has been released.
Artwork by The Dark Magi, features Krispian the Jester.
Friday 2 May 2008
Windy Golf Courses
The 2nd of May is a very important day in history......a birthday ......of a very important person none the less.........someone who over the years has performed great things for their country.......yes it's David Beckham's birthday today......what ?...oh yes ......it's Mother Dearest's birthday too......
Only kidding Mother!!!! I think you are doing marvellous for 87 years old .....
Before you lot in blog land think I'm being cheeky and don't care, I risked getting arrested by local old bill to deliver Mother dearest's present over night...it was like a scene from the old milk tray adverts......you know......"because the lady love's milk tray!!!!!" except I wasn't wearing all black or carrying a box of choccies but instead a bird table with balloons and ribbons attached to it......It would have just been my luck that some old dear saw me skulking around the garden's of mother dearest's abode at midnight last night and either called the Police and or croaked through heart attack at seeing me creeping around their back gardens trying to leave a bird table strategically placed !!!
Anyway it was delivered and I didn't get caught...
I returned home from work to Nanna and kids partying away ....nice meal and then retired to the front room to play on the Wii. Kids were packed off to bed to allow adults to play 9 holes of golf. The game is so realistic that you can hear wind and everything what’s more impressive is that we could hear it coming from Mother Dearest’s backside on every swing....... amazing today’s technology!!!!
The band.....well after some ...... ahem.... passionate speeches .....we are head down and are full steam ahead preparing for the gigs which are fast approaching ....the woodster has lost her voice due to laryngitis which isn't good for a singer really .....The Holy One is busy learning the electric guitar bits for Nickelback's Rock star ...Wifey has been poorly sick too and has been resting some virusy thing. Barabanshik is fretting over the complexity of rock star...........And me well
I've been going to Bass lessons for the last few months . My teacher I will name...(not usual for my blogs but the guy is really quite cool) is Steve Sculpher. I have been educated in the bass lines of Level 42 , Stevie Wonder and this week we are looking at the basis of funk , and some slappy pop stuff.....all the stuff he has set has improved me I feel as a bass player ......but this week of all things to set he has given me Lady Madonna by the Beatles!!!!!!!!!!! aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! the Beatles .......Nooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The space boy would have been proud!!!! So believe it or not Mc Cartney will help me with my slap and pop that's Paul not Heather by the way.....
Only kidding Mother!!!! I think you are doing marvellous for 87 years old .....
Before you lot in blog land think I'm being cheeky and don't care, I risked getting arrested by local old bill to deliver Mother dearest's present over night...it was like a scene from the old milk tray adverts......you know......"because the lady love's milk tray!!!!!" except I wasn't wearing all black or carrying a box of choccies but instead a bird table with balloons and ribbons attached to it......It would have just been my luck that some old dear saw me skulking around the garden's of mother dearest's abode at midnight last night and either called the Police and or croaked through heart attack at seeing me creeping around their back gardens trying to leave a bird table strategically placed !!!
Anyway it was delivered and I didn't get caught...
I returned home from work to Nanna and kids partying away ....nice meal and then retired to the front room to play on the Wii. Kids were packed off to bed to allow adults to play 9 holes of golf. The game is so realistic that you can hear wind and everything what’s more impressive is that we could hear it coming from Mother Dearest’s backside on every swing....... amazing today’s technology!!!!
The band.....well after some ...... ahem.... passionate speeches .....we are head down and are full steam ahead preparing for the gigs which are fast approaching ....the woodster has lost her voice due to laryngitis which isn't good for a singer really .....The Holy One is busy learning the electric guitar bits for Nickelback's Rock star ...Wifey has been poorly sick too and has been resting some virusy thing. Barabanshik is fretting over the complexity of rock star...........And me well
I've been going to Bass lessons for the last few months . My teacher I will name...(not usual for my blogs but the guy is really quite cool) is Steve Sculpher. I have been educated in the bass lines of Level 42 , Stevie Wonder and this week we are looking at the basis of funk , and some slappy pop stuff.....all the stuff he has set has improved me I feel as a bass player ......but this week of all things to set he has given me Lady Madonna by the Beatles!!!!!!!!!!! aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! the Beatles .......Nooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The space boy would have been proud!!!! So believe it or not Mc Cartney will help me with my slap and pop that's Paul not Heather by the way.....
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