I googled our band again today, I do it all the time. Whatever! It's an ego thing, right? Its cool that most of the links from google are to the seven thousand websites that feature lyrics from us and other bands. Do we need that many, really? Why isn't there a huge "itunes" style site with the lyrics from all the songs on it that has the monopoly on this? Monopolies on the internet are great - much easier to find stuff.
Today though, something awesome has happened. After all the effort I go to keep this website up to date and interesting (I cannot claim it to be either though) and we get beaten in the google rankings by a website linking to a rapidshare download of our last record. How the fuck did that happen?!
Still, if you ever wanted our stuff, but didn't want to pay for it* then google us and take the second link.
Which is above our own actual website.
Laters
Pirate Dan.
* We didn't make that hard, by the way, I mean, you pretty much just have to e-mail us and I'd send you the MP3s for free.
.............News....Gigs....Music....Shop....Contact...........................................................................................................................................................
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Thursday, 28 January 2010
RIP Citroen Xantia
Joshs car might be dying. This.is.terrible.news.
For the best part of the last 3 years we have relied on Joshs Citroen Xantia to get us to and from gigs and being more of the car-ignorant type, its not like we really do any maintenence on it and the back seats are slowly filling with crisp wrappers and bottles. Its a miracle that we have never had anything more than a few blow-outs in the thousands of miles its taken us and even though the paintwork is looking less-silver and more-brown each day, it just kept going.
Not so much this year, though.
The in-car radiator died around Christmas, co-inciding with the most snow I have seen in London - no problem - we just wipe the inside of the windcreen everytime it steams or ices up (about every 15 seconds - try doing that all the way to Exeter). The engine has started revving itself and jerking about - no problem - we just cruise through that. Then the coolant pipe exploded - no problem! We gaffa-taped and jubilee clipped the s
hit out of it and now it stays together (for a while, at least).
I'm not sure how much longer the car can hold itself together and considering its MOT is due relatively soon, it could be game over. Fingers crossed, yeah?
Oh yeah, Exeter and Peterborough last weekend can be summed up in a few bullet points:
Dan
For the best part of the last 3 years we have relied on Joshs Citroen Xantia to get us to and from gigs and being more of the car-ignorant type, its not like we really do any maintenence on it and the back seats are slowly filling with crisp wrappers and bottles. Its a miracle that we have never had anything more than a few blow-outs in the thousands of miles its taken us and even though the paintwork is looking less-silver and more-brown each day, it just kept going.
Not so much this year, though.
The in-car radiator died around Christmas, co-inciding with the most snow I have seen in London - no problem - we just wipe the inside of the windcreen everytime it steams or ices up (about every 15 seconds - try doing that all the way to Exeter). The engine has started revving itself and jerking about - no problem - we just cruise through that. Then the coolant pipe exploded - no problem! We gaffa-taped and jubilee clipped the s
hit out of it and now it stays together (for a while, at least).I'm not sure how much longer the car can hold itself together and considering its MOT is due relatively soon, it could be game over. Fingers crossed, yeah?
Oh yeah, Exeter and Peterborough last weekend can be summed up in a few bullet points:
- Lots of driving
- Lots of fixing the car
- Excellent food
- 2 fun, if varied shows
- 1 broken amp (now fixed!)
Dan
Monday, 25 January 2010
Late-fest update.
Hi. I found some videos of our set at Fest on my laptop and figured it was worth the 6 hours of uploading them to share them on the infowebz.
They were filmed on Emas Canon Ixus and not only am I surprised the picture/sound quality is actually ok, I'm also impressed with everyones singing. You totally can't hear "awesome" and "toneful" my singing was.
Sweet
Dan
ps: This is PJ discussing bands and the fonts they use for their logos.
They were filmed on Emas Canon Ixus and not only am I surprised the picture/sound quality is actually ok, I'm also impressed with everyones singing. You totally can't hear "awesome" and "toneful" my singing was.
Sweet
Dan
ps: This is PJ discussing bands and the fonts they use for their logos.
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Haiti.
I have no idea why someone would read this blog but not be checking Punknews.org on the same browsing session, but in case that has happened, you might not have seen this was posted today.
In response to the earthquake in Haiti, Punknews has arranged an auction of some really awesome and rare vinyl and other shit and all the money is going to help the aid situation in Haiti. Seems like a way to pick up some stuff you would likely buy anyway, whilst helping put a (temporary) roof over someones head. I have nothing funny or cynical to say about this at all.
Check the listings here and please don't outbid me on this auction.
Dan
In response to the earthquake in Haiti, Punknews has arranged an auction of some really awesome and rare vinyl and other shit and all the money is going to help the aid situation in Haiti. Seems like a way to pick up some stuff you would likely buy anyway, whilst helping put a (temporary) roof over someones head. I have nothing funny or cynical to say about this at all.
Check the listings here and please don't outbid me on this auction.
Dan
Monday, 18 January 2010
Mess-tasche.
In recent news, Josh and I are no longer homeless and everything we own is no longer in storage at the Big Yellow Storage facility in B-B-Bow E3. This is awesome news (for us at least). Here is our front room before we put everything where it belongs. 
Here is our front room now.
The room will most likely fluctuate between these two states over the next year, reaching the extremes more than once. It’s depressing to think that tidying up is, at best, a short-term measure – a kind of un-exciting fire fighting procedure that is essential and futile at the same time.
It was snowing so hard that when I went to buy moving-in pizza for me and Ema that my footsteps had disappeared under a fresh coating of snow within the 15 minutes it took to stone-bake our amazing dinners. The lines between footpath and non-footpath were erased completely and I casually strolled across someone’s driveway on the way home, leaving my size 8 converse tracks as evidence. The next day saw the news networks proclaiming how the country had come to a standstill whilst everyone (pretty much) just got on with everything almost completely normally, but a bit late.
On a completely different note, this is what I would look like with an awesome moustache. Should I start an opinion poll on this?
More tomorrow, I’m done. Peez.
Dan
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Bog Standard studio blog.
When your day starts by having to walk 20 minutes in the snow to buy petrol for the now-empty car, you know the day has started badly. Luckily for me, Josh got the petrol and I sat in the car with the gear whilst he trudged to the garage and paid £5 for about a cupful of petrol, so not a bad start all-round, for me at least. Shit is getting wild with petrol prices these days and it's not cool. Anyway, this made us late for the recording session we had planned at Joe's studio where we hoped to demo everything for our upcoming 7" so when it comes to recording for real in a few weeks, we know exactly what we were doing. Joe lost the studio keys and turned up late too.
Sometimes, I guess, lateness works in pairs and evens itself out eventually, its nice when things work out like that.
Studio accounts are generally boring and this is not likely to be anymore entertaining than any of the million accounts there are floating on the cyberspace. The problem is, recording is a fairly dull process of doing stuff, doing it again, doing it again, talking about tones, stressing about time and wondering why the songs don't sound quite like you hoped they would and how to correct that. Its not, unfortunately, something I usually enjoy. And I wish I did, because if things work out like I hope they will in the long run, I'll have to spend more time in a studio recording our multi-platinum, award winning records. Anyway, we had something like 7 hours to knock 4 songs out. They didn't have to sound awesome so setting up was quick and painless and everyone played really well, blah blah and we came away having done everything in a few takes and it actually sounded pretty decent for what is essentially a demo. I was really, really happy. PJ fell asleep while I did my (perfect) guitar takes and Josh talked about putting a voice-over on a particularly awesome break-down part of a new song saying "I want everyone out there to MOSH! Circle PIT!!". It was not unanimous.
I actually enjoyed recording this time which has made me even more keen to do it for real in Manchester at the start of February. I'm really excited about this next release, it's the first time we'll have a record where all 4 of us have our input on everything and (obviously) I think the new songs are our best yet. The 7" will have 1 new song per side and will come with a CD with the new songs and full-band versions of 2 of our older songs. If everything goes to plan, and it really should because we're starting so early, we should have it done for our April tour with Rooftops. I mean, we booked that tour as a record-release tour, so it would be pretty lame if we failed on that.
Here's some bog-standard studio-style photos and a very boring video of Joe doing some mallets. I wish I had filmed more of him doing really interesting drum-parts but you win some and you lose some.
Till next time team!
Dan
Sometimes, I guess, lateness works in pairs and evens itself out eventually, its nice when things work out like that.
Studio accounts are generally boring and this is not likely to be anymore entertaining than any of the million accounts there are floating on the cyberspace. The problem is, recording is a fairly dull process of doing stuff, doing it again, doing it again, talking about tones, stressing about time and wondering why the songs don't sound quite like you hoped they would and how to correct that. Its not, unfortunately, something I usually enjoy. And I wish I did, because if things work out like I hope they will in the long run, I'll have to spend more time in a studio recording our multi-platinum, award winning records. Anyway, we had something like 7 hours to knock 4 songs out. They didn't have to sound awesome so setting up was quick and painless and everyone played really well, blah blah and we came away having done everything in a few takes and it actually sounded pretty decent for what is essentially a demo. I was really, really happy. PJ fell asleep while I did my (perfect) guitar takes and Josh talked about putting a voice-over on a particularly awesome break-down part of a new song saying "I want everyone out there to MOSH! Circle PIT!!". It was not unanimous.
I actually enjoyed recording this time which has made me even more keen to do it for real in Manchester at the start of February. I'm really excited about this next release, it's the first time we'll have a record where all 4 of us have our input on everything and (obviously) I think the new songs are our best yet. The 7" will have 1 new song per side and will come with a CD with the new songs and full-band versions of 2 of our older songs. If everything goes to plan, and it really should because we're starting so early, we should have it done for our April tour with Rooftops. I mean, we booked that tour as a record-release tour, so it would be pretty lame if we failed on that.
Here's some bog-standard studio-style photos and a very boring video of Joe doing some mallets. I wish I had filmed more of him doing really interesting drum-parts but you win some and you lose some.
Till next time team!
Dan
Drumbelievable! from danbondissafe on Vimeo.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
How I almost gave away our bassist.
At sometime in mid-2009 I find myself drunk at a bar with Greg who puts on shows in South London under the name Staying South. He's a very good dude who has put us on a few times in the past and always puts on well promoted, well attended shows. I think it was a Bomb The Music Industry show, but I have no idea really. Greg is telling me he wants to start a band and do I know anyone interested in joining. PJ (from PJ and Gaby) had been telling me a few months earlier that he really liked our band and if we ever wanted a bassist he would be that guy and would tour the world with us. I turned him down. Politely, of course. I said we were happy being a two-piece (when we wern't really, but hadn't discussed getting more people involved) and that if our situation was to ever change we would let him know immediately. I told Greg to speak to PJ as PJ always wants to play, is rock-solid at pretty much every aspect of being in a band and was looking to join another band that he could do more shows with than was possible within PJ and Gaby. PJ was, absolutely, the guy he needed.
Anyway, they formed Rooftops, with Jugs on guitar and Pook on drums. Awesome.
A very short period later and things have goten so bad within our band that we decided we had to get more people involved, a drummer and a bassist. Josh saw PJ first and asked him to join our band on drums or bass, whichever he wanted. PJ had just joined Neil Sutherland and Friends filling in on guitar and was practicing and playing bass in Rooftops frequently. Needless to say, he was a bit pissed off and we felt like assholes. He said to leave it with him for a while but I wasn't keen on waiting. At some point I found myself running through an Asda car park at PJ as he was leaving to a show with Neil Sutherland mid-tour yelling "join our band!". He gave in and now we share PJ with Rooftops. It's working so far and whilst PJ probably has very little time to himself, both bands are that much better. But, how do you share a bassist with another band when you both want to tour?
YOU TOUR TOGETHER!
Officially announcing the Rooftops/AIHN UK tour from 1/4/10 to 9/4/09
I would have been better if I announced this when all the dates were finalised and the tour flyer was done, but whatever, I have tons of stuff to post here over the next few days and (including studio photos and a real-life video). Here's a photo of Greg wailing to tide you over till April.
Dan.
Anyway, they formed Rooftops, with Jugs on guitar and Pook on drums. Awesome.
A very short period later and things have goten so bad within our band that we decided we had to get more people involved, a drummer and a bassist. Josh saw PJ first and asked him to join our band on drums or bass, whichever he wanted. PJ had just joined Neil Sutherland and Friends filling in on guitar and was practicing and playing bass in Rooftops frequently. Needless to say, he was a bit pissed off and we felt like assholes. He said to leave it with him for a while but I wasn't keen on waiting. At some point I found myself running through an Asda car park at PJ as he was leaving to a show with Neil Sutherland mid-tour yelling "join our band!". He gave in and now we share PJ with Rooftops. It's working so far and whilst PJ probably has very little time to himself, both bands are that much better. But, how do you share a bassist with another band when you both want to tour?
YOU TOUR TOGETHER!
Officially announcing the Rooftops/AIHN UK tour from 1/4/10 to 9/4/09
I would have been better if I announced this when all the dates were finalised and the tour flyer was done, but whatever, I have tons of stuff to post here over the next few days and (including studio photos and a real-life video). Here's a photo of Greg wailing to tide you over till April.
Dan.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Equip the Sword of Legasis to your alt-bar.
I recently got linked to a forum discussion on a mixed martial arts website and I've been having a great time wading through it all. The thread I'm interested in isn't about Jujitsu or Bavarian Boxing or anything like that and I have no plans to participate in any sort of "bout" - The thread that has my attention is about porn. Sort of. This is probably old news, but A-list porn star Tyler Knight started fielding questions on an MMA forum regarding his life, his thoughts and, mostly, who he has and hasn't had sex with in the industry. He also covers what it's like having sex with women for money in-front of a camera and what that does to a persons mentality and personal relationships.
To say its been an eye opener would be an understatement, it is a genuinely well written, well thought-out, honest account of life as a porn star. Firstly, I should point out that the Tyler himself seems like a genuinely OK guy and whatever your thoughts about the adult entertainment industry are*, it would probably be an interesting read and may confirm or destroy your own perceptions on the industry and open up a whole side of the business you never thought about and probably never cared about. Anyway, the parts I find most interesting are the personal sides to his postings, not the (non-graphic) accounts of who he has had "relations" with. I find reading honest accounts of anything by anyone who reached the top of their profession interesting - everything is always so much more corrupt and complicated at the top. Anyone interested can click here and read about it.
Today, I think I finished my transformation into a full-on geek. I actually read and understood some pretty complicated articles on guitar amp design and the differences between the circuits of common amps. I've found myself searching out this level of knowledge more and more recently and whilst I have no need for it, I have an unquenchable desire to know it. I don't know what is driving it internally, but I keep finding myself going over articles that no-one should ever in their right mind ever read, let alone want to read. I now genuinely want to build an amp. From scratch. On my own. Without my Dads help. I'm giving up. The tweed jacket with leather elbows is ordered and the pipe is on its way and I will become a full time garage tinkerer. Interestingly, Tyler knight is himself in a World of Warcraft Guild that is in the top 0.5% in the world. He is a geek too, undoubtedly.
Probably the only thing I have in common with an actual porn-star.
* This is coming through my own personal "glasses" where I have no strong feelings regarding this wing of the sex-industry. Those who oppose porn may take his postings in a different way to me and I would love to hear some conflicting thoughts on this. Obviously, the very basic act of people having sex for money on camera is a difficult issue for many, but then those involved in it probably feel the same way about the (often) boring jobs we do for a living, and if people are in sound mind and make choices based on their own will, well then I'm ok with that, porn or not.
To say its been an eye opener would be an understatement, it is a genuinely well written, well thought-out, honest account of life as a porn star. Firstly, I should point out that the Tyler himself seems like a genuinely OK guy and whatever your thoughts about the adult entertainment industry are*, it would probably be an interesting read and may confirm or destroy your own perceptions on the industry and open up a whole side of the business you never thought about and probably never cared about. Anyway, the parts I find most interesting are the personal sides to his postings, not the (non-graphic) accounts of who he has had "relations" with. I find reading honest accounts of anything by anyone who reached the top of their profession interesting - everything is always so much more corrupt and complicated at the top. Anyone interested can click here and read about it.
Today, I think I finished my transformation into a full-on geek. I actually read and understood some pretty complicated articles on guitar amp design and the differences between the circuits of common amps. I've found myself searching out this level of knowledge more and more recently and whilst I have no need for it, I have an unquenchable desire to know it. I don't know what is driving it internally, but I keep finding myself going over articles that no-one should ever in their right mind ever read, let alone want to read. I now genuinely want to build an amp. From scratch. On my own. Without my Dads help. I'm giving up. The tweed jacket with leather elbows is ordered and the pipe is on its way and I will become a full time garage tinkerer. Interestingly, Tyler knight is himself in a World of Warcraft Guild that is in the top 0.5% in the world. He is a geek too, undoubtedly.
Probably the only thing I have in common with an actual porn-star.
* This is coming through my own personal "glasses" where I have no strong feelings regarding this wing of the sex-industry. Those who oppose porn may take his postings in a different way to me and I would love to hear some conflicting thoughts on this. Obviously, the very basic act of people having sex for money on camera is a difficult issue for many, but then those involved in it probably feel the same way about the (often) boring jobs we do for a living, and if people are in sound mind and make choices based on their own will, well then I'm ok with that, porn or not.
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