Saturday 29th May - Los Angeles.

AW

23^rd May 2010

Driving South

Hot from the 3 week break home in London I find myself back on a bus driving around North Carolina heading to a show with One Eskimo opening for Michael Franti and Spearhead in Ashville. Time at home was way to brief and unfortunately didn’t allow enough time to get more done on the Headspace album. Apologies for the lack of actual information regarding this however, as it has been a long process to write so bare with us and we should have some more concise news soon.

Interestingly watching a documentary while writing this about freedom of speech in America. It really is amazing the conviction of people’s views about religion and speech across the world, especially when armed with very little information. I guess, as the dominant species on the planet, we don’t really change very much despite our best intentions. It would seem the institutions of media that are our main source of information are believed in whole-heartedly when delivered with the appropriate level of fear. I guess our humanity is what stands in the way of actual acceptance.

Currently working on guitar tracking from the bus, not ideal but thanks to technology means we can continue to get the album finished even while apart. Perhaps catch up with Adam in LA in the next few weeks; he starts rehearsals for upcoming Ozzy shows over the summer. Caught up with Damian while I was back in London, working through vocals while we have time in the same country. Lee even fired over some new Chapman Stick parts for a track too, sounding great Pimmers. Thoughts with Rich and Jo, hope things are cool with you guys, speak soon mate.

More news from the road soon, I will be with One Eskimo somewhere in the United States near you soon.

Pete

1^st May 2010

Good to be home…briefly

This week finally sees me back home in the UK for a brief time and after the seemingly endless van drives around the United States its true there is no place like it, home that is.

The last 3 months I have been across the states and back several times with one Eskimo opening with Gomez, played a LOT of radio stations, appeared live on the Ellen Degenres show and played at Coachella festival in Palm Springs.  The last of which got to see some great performances by Them Crooked Vultures (with John Paul Jones playing keys and bass pedals with his feet-awesome), Faith No More (with Mike Patton showing everyone how to sing like a god) and Muse (showing everyone how good you can sound at a large outdoor festival). Unfortunately missed Dillinger Escape Plan and Porcupine Tree due to press commitments, which was a shame.  In that time I also managed to get guitars recorded for an upcoming tribute CD which Headspace are lucky to be a part of, Adam is busily mixing while moving house, not the simplest option but as a band we were never ones for the easy route, speaking of which our debut album is being tracked as we speak.  While back in the UK I will be laying down as many of the rhythm guitar tracks as possible. Now that the vocals and main melodies have been written it’s a matter of going back through the parts and refining riffs and harmonic movements to suit and create the best songs we can. It’s a long process but an interesting one going back through tracks we have been spending such a long period of time on. I am back on the road with One Eskimo in the middle of May so there is a lot to do in a small amount of time, the rest of the guitars will have to be done from the road, thanks once again to technology.

Have a few great releases to recommend that I have been enjoying on the road that I would like to share with you.

Aquarius by my good friend Charlie Griffith’s band Haken , great album, great production really worth checking out www.myspace.com/hakenmusic

Periphery’s self-titled offering is a great record, awesome guitar riffs and killer production from a really young band, very cool www.myspace.com/periphery

Jeff Beck’s Emotion and Commotion is as brilliant as you would expect from Mr Beck and Vinnie, amazing www.jeffbeck.com/discography.php

Meshuggah’s new Alive DVD is jaw droppingly awesome. The sound is ridiculous and these guys are just the kings of heavy. Must have purchase www.meshuggah.net

Patiently awaiting Pain Of Salvation’s next album Road Salt One sound clips available here www.painofsalvation.se/ will be brilliant for sure.

This is always good news, Soundgarden back together. Was talk of possible Coachella appearance but instead played a small show in Seattle www.youtube.com/watch?v=crILNt7-kj8 talk is they may be at Lolapalooza.

Best thing on the Internet by far though is the return of Ziltoid the Omniscient www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLoSV8DbVb8&playnext_from=TL&videos=4S2HnNKGWzw&feature=sub freakin’ sweet.

Looking forward to the next couple of weeks at home working on guitar tracks, and spending some time with my wife. See you all from somewhere in the US next month.
Pete