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.
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.
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
Slightly late with my weekend blog, due primarily to 2 of our 3 children being poorly. It’s amazing how soon you forget what sleepless nights are like… Anyway, Mr Wilson has been here at my studio in Buckinghamshire to record the vocal on a track as a tribute to a band we cant mention for a publication we also can’t mention.
Guesses on a postcard….! More on that soon.
We are recording vocals too over the next few weeks for the album, some here at my studio and some in London at Wendyhouse studios, a great place in Shephards Bush owned by Robbie Williams’ bass player Jerry Meehan. Unfortunately my studio (and home) are currently in the process of being boxed and moved before the tour starts with Ozzy in May.
Latest news on Ozzy’s new album here:
http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/303/18402/Ozzy%20Osbourne.html
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=138540
Pete is still out in America although was meant to be back here a few days back but Iceland put a stop to that.
Not the volcano that’s been erupting and stopping all flights in and out of Europe, but the frozen food chain ‘Iceland’ that’s had a sale on. Pete had a delivery to New York and is still unable to leave his hotel room due to a mis order of 1,700 frozen pizzas.
More progress on the album weekly (hopefully) from now!
That is the question. Whether tis nobler in the arrangement to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous harmony, or to take up arms against a sea of dotted quavers and, by opposing, play them.
These and other questions have been ignored by most musos in the progressive field, but as I hurtle into my 40’s ( ouch! ) I’ve become increasing aware of the lack of a strong melody in most music these days, especially in new prog.
Being a Beatles, Genesis and Yes fan, you know you are never far away from a devastatingly catchy, simple and beautiful melody, no matter how bonkers the music underneath is. Another splendid example of sublime melody over brilliantly arranged music is The Zombies Odyssey and Oracle album, which I think is one of Damo’s favourite album’s ( mine too ).
I’ve just finished touring with It Bites, and they are a great example of a band who write complex but nevertheless accessible songs. On the It Bites tour we have been playing a song called Once Around The World which is around 17 minutes long. The last section before the coda is still one of the most taxing things I’ve ever had to play as there are accents pushes and pulls all over the place ( in fact it took me about a month to work out what the bloody hell was going on ). But when that section ends it goes into a glorious and uplifting coda, in much the same way that Suppers Ready by Genesis does. All the way through Once Around The World there are complex unison runs, time changes and accent shifts but it never feels gratuitous because it’s always serving the music and plateauing the melody.
Many of the modern prog bands fall foul of the tendency to say they are progressive just because they have long songs. A band like Cardiacs are more progressive in one 3 minute songs than many bands are in a lifetime. But enough of my yackin’!
Headspace’s album is shaping up splendidly with just a few bits of pre-production to finish, Brooky has been putting down some ace drum parts for me too lock into which will make rehearsing this material tantamount to training for the olympics. But we are of course more than man enough for the job, honest guv! Well… there is one but he knows who he is. I’ve also recently been playing a lot more of the Chapman Stick having just got a new one, so I’ll try to get that onto the new album if there is a song that’s right for it.
Off to Italy this month for one gig with Adam’s dad Rick. He’s asked me to bring the Stick along for that one too so happy days. It’s always a blast gigging with Mr Wakeman senior, especially when you have to trade solos with him ( he always wins! ).
Anyone for prog tennis? ( Like real tennis but with a beard. )
Yes I know this sounds like a sci fi collaboration between George Lucas and north Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il but I can assure you it has more to do with my travel itinerary over the last few weeks, allow me to bore you…
I have been in the US since I last wrote covering the map like a 2 year olds colouring book (without the satisfying reward of an unrecognisable picture of yourself at the end) with One Eskimo. It is hard to gauge success in such a massive country while shuttling about in a smelly cocoon on wheels but every now and then we get told some good bits of news (No 1 on AAA radio format) that make us feel like perhaps its all paying off. Even got to play a live slot on the Ellen Degenres TV show (aired on St Patrick’s day) which was fun, especially worthy moments including handing Adam (no not you Wakey) his arse several times at table tennis in front of some young irish dancing school girls…actually that’s pretty hard to top.
The exciting part of the trip was the expiration of my US visa, which then involved a plethora of inane phone calls to government “help”lines that cost so much money-per-minute you would consider asking what the person on the other end of the phone was wearing. Anyway, skip to the end (of my tether) and after crushing all dreams of being able to return to the UK for a week of living my life due to inability to process forms and stupid turn around times, our visa were approved at the 11th hour and I got to fly home. Now although leaving the sunny shores of Santa Monica for the gloom of London may sound insane, there is nothing like sleeping on your own bed and being able to see your loved ones.
After a brief but nice week in Blighty which involved a lovely trip to the US embassy at 7am to get my visa appointment to have said visa entered into my passport, getting my car to the mechanic for MOT and programming sounds for my Axe FX I am actually writing this from New York about to embark on the 2nd leg of this years One Eskimo promo trip. Of course getting here with all the visa processing required was a bit long winded but, suffice to say, it is strange heading to Heathrow knowing you don’t have your passport back and meeting a courier from the visa office (who was 1.5 hours late) to just check into your flight to NY via Paris and more security stops the Guantanamo Bay. The excitement then turned to pant wrecking fear as the wing of the plane Adam (still not you Wakey) and I happened to be looking over was hit by lightning, but even God couldn’t stop us and apparently it’s not such a big deal…YEAH RIGHT!!!!
Ok we made it safely to JFK and even after a strange candid interview (and I mean music interview) with the customs man who happened to be a massive music fan at around midnight we got to sleep. Oh well it is all in the name of rock so what the hell. Plenty of shows here in NY, which will be fun, even have a show on Sat night opening for Bob Schneider who, if you haven’t heard of is really worth checking out. The big build up if for Coachella festival, which we are playing on the 18th April in Palm Springs, looking forward to that. Rumours abound of possible Soundgarden reunion and Them Crooked Vultures as well as Faith No More, so if this slightly anglified Aussie can still handle some hot weather should make for a good time.
Indeed my schedule has been filled with a lot of non headspace related work, you will be pleased to know that, thanks to modern technology, I am able to keep working on the tracks for the new album while on the road, and thousands of miles from my partners in crime. There will be more to say about the concept and all things album related in the coming weeks, Brooky is busily working on the drum tracks as we speak, and things are shaping up nicely. Damo is still tweaking some last minute lyric changes, Adam is laying down more keys than a locksmith, and when Lee is not working at Tesco’s packing your shopping, you might see him playing a show with It Bites. You can also hear some of Adam’s (yes this time you Wakelby) compositions here:
A short film Adam composed the score to entitled “Night/Day” has been selected for this year’s London Independent Film Festival:http://www.londonindependent…org/OS2010.htm
The festival takes place from April 15-27, 2010 at some of London’s best cinemas. www.nightdayfilm.com
Well, it had to happen sooner or later.I had the pleasure of Adam down at mine to discuss recording my tubs this week. We’ve just finished finished the pre-production for the album and are looking at studios to record the proper drums (I’ll post some video of his visit later on).Not as many studios open as there used to be these days. Some great ones we all used to frequent have gone down the recession plug hole. Real shame.Pete has returned from the US for a week to get his washing done but heads off again for another stint as soon as he’s let everyone know he’s still alive and the ironing is finished.Lee has been away with It Bites again, progging up and down the UK in a cockney way. Damo is still couch surfing around the UK and elsewhere as discussed on Total Rock radio the other week. Anyone having seen the footage of the London trip for Ad’s and Damo will wonder if that was all staged….it really wasn’t.That’s it for now. Keep checking the you tube page (www.youtube.com/headspacetheband) for all things HEADSPACE!Rich.
Welcome back to the blog from Headspace HQ here in the sleepy village of Akeley in Buckinghamshire. Pete’s still shredding his way round the States with One Eskimo and is scheduled to return for a week at the end of March which will be good to catch up. Lee is just coming to the end of a run with It Bites and Rich has been busy in his studio recording drums on a couple of album sessions. In the meantime, I’ve been recording some keyboards on the album and this coming week will see the start of the drum recording with Rich down in London, which I think is a big city down south somewhere. Living in the country, I don’t get into the city much….
Damian is also paying a brief visit for a couple of days this week to visit a few studios to decide on where the vocals are to be recorded. He’s also working with me on a track for a film which we need to have finished by the end of the week.
Been a busy ‘family’ week with my brood celebrating my 36th birthday probably more enthusiastically than me. The best ‘day out’ find for quite some time is Wendover Woods, just outside the village of Aston Clinton in Aylesbury Vale which has a great cafe several miles into the woods and fantastic scenery and walks through the woods. Great for kids and dogs, and I also think we may have had the first BBQ of the season.
In Ozzy news, the album is nearly mixed and we’re still waiting for a release date, although I suspect it will be in June time ready for the start of the world tour in July. Kevin Churko the producer (who we are hoping to have mix the Headspace album) is already working on the new album for the band “In this moment” who are managed by Blasko, Ozzy’s bass player. I’m really looking forward to getting back out with the guys and although there’s been some personnel changes since the last one, I’m certain it will be a great tour. Look out for some UK dates to be announced soon. Who knows, maybe we can showcase the Headspace album if we can sneak on the bill!!
More news and videos soon. Check out www,youtube.com/headspacetheband for the latest video diaries from us lot.
Well, ok what’s been going on… ok, well, I sold everything I owned to a lovely elderly Russian lady for £5. At least that was the agreed amount but she very kindly gave me £10! I felt this was a sign that from here on in, it’s going to be lady luck at my side all the way, as I ventured out once again into the world of the homelessness. Lucky fellow I am though, taking the Dylanesque approach of sofa surfing, I seem to have an endless choice of sofas around the UK and abroad, thanks to my friends and the power of radio. As a teenager it always seemed an exciting prospect, but as a man of my age I am generally just being mistaken for a tramp, as did my father when he passed me by on the road.
I have the two day rule (it becomes a home after two days), a guitar and a very small rucksack, with all I need to take on the world.
The first three weeks has proven to be far more enjoyable than I originally thought. I vowed to take up the life of a monk (by this I mean simplicity) but have found that it is actually very sociable being on the move. I have been playing and writing a lot more but I don’t get the chance to record so much, so I fear new songs and ideas may get lost in the ether.
As I sit at the bus stop scribbling down the latest Headspace blog, I have a feeling this is going to be a very lucky year. Last Monday I met up with Adam to chat about what direction we were going to take the new album now that it has been written and demoed. We decided to discuss this live on Total Rock Radio and although I did my best to explain (after a heavy drinking session down the Crobar in Soho with the Editor of ‘Prog’ Magazine; Jerry Ewing), Adam still seemed slightly confused that I saw the concept as a love story. The concept I can announce is based on The Kubler-Ross Model for Impending Death: not what most people would feel were groundings for a good love story but what is for me an expression of my love for humanity.
Well whilst on my bus journey around Britain (feels like I am on tour), I have Headspace on my ipod shuffle and I’m updated through Internet cafes with the new additions to the album tracks. Like Lee’s bass part, which on first hearing made my heart stop and losing control of all body functions, my soul orbited the planet only to return right on the one… perfectly in time. Man he is a very special soul.
I also hear Rich is starting to put down the drums this week, so we are truly on our way to building this monster.
But how could I leave this blog without telling you what a wonderful friend Pete has been through out my predicament. He too has taken to the road and left his good lady and home behind, in sympathy. I hope he’s ok I hear it’s been snowing where he is. You don’t just stumble on friends like that, they are sent… with Headspace and lady luck on my side, how can I go wrong?
Thank you to everyone who has offered me a sofa to stay on, I’m collecting addresses… matter of fact I’ll be having another sofa appeal this Friday the 12th of March 10:00-14:00 GMT on Radio Caroline where I will be playing live on the legendary ‘Barry James show’. He has very kindly got right behind this campaign and has been a tremendous support. Thank you also everyone who voted for me in the Classic Rock presents ‘Prog’ readers pole. It was a wonderful surprise that you thought of me.
This year is going to be a very lucky one - I can just feel it.
So I am sitting in Minneapolis looking out across Gold Medal Park, now a snowfield due to Arctic temperatures, glad to be tucked away in the heated comfort of the hotel. Now don’t get me wrong I know you may be thinking why does he always bang on about the weather? If you are then switch your computer off go and make a cup of tea. I am once again on tour with One Eskimo in the land of the brave and free attempting to learn the geographical position of every town and city in the United States by visiting them and playing music.Tour started on the East coast in time to catch “Snowmageddon” (yes that is what it was referred to on the TV so it must be true), which just pipped the equally chilling moniker of February Fury. We spent 2 weeks enjoying New York, Woodstock, Akron and Detroit to then sojourn to the warm sunshine of the West coast of LA and “classy” San Diego. Mostly radio and TV promo so far but we have a bunch of US dates opening for Gomez which will be great(last time I saw them was playing in Perth about 12 years ago) then playing on the Ellen Degeneres show airing March 18th, and Coachella Festival April 18th. You can find out all things Eskimo related at www.oneeskimo.com
The big news in the Headspace camp is that we have finished demoing the tracks for our first full-length album. We are really excited about the direction and sound of this album and we are currently finalising arrangements via email (gotta love technology) and Adam has started laying down keyboards already. As ever our schedules have us a million miles from each other but, thanks to laptops and Logic we have managed to get things moving. I will be starting guitars here in the next few days too. We will be updating our website and social network pages soon to reflect some of the themes and ideas that will be reflected in the album, but without giving anything away keep an eye out for news.
Big news in the Anchorhead and Haken camps, sees my very good friend and awesome musician Charlie Griffiths marry his long time partner Fiona. As ever the life of a musician I was on the other side of the planet and couldn’t be there, really sorry guys, but much love to both of you. Check out Haken’s new album Aquarius coming out soon it is awesome trust me http://www.myspace.com/hakenmusic
Adam and Damian can be heard on Total Rock Radio 1st March at 8pm please tune in to hear all about how the new album came to be and probably a lot of other stuff too http://www.totalrock.com/events.php
Well as I listen to the birds chirping at the outro of Dream Theater’s Count of Tuscany it would seem apt to sign off. Don’t forget to search and add headspacetheband on facebook too or not…
Had a couple of sessions this week (that’s right, recording sessions. There are still a few around) for an artist called SHENA. Jim Winchester was producing along with Glen Skinner. Glen has worked with the greats (as far as drummers are concerned) and engineered on albums with YES, TOTO and other fantastic bands. Was a real pleasure!
Also had another session with Peter Cox and Richard Drummie around at my studio and put some drums on a track called ‘Skin Deep’. All sounding very good if I say so myself!
Getting together with Adam soon to start thinking about drums for the proper album recording. Looking forward to it seeing as we were all in the same room once already this year - Lets make it a couple of days and actually f**cking play a show!! (Oh, and record the album).All for now. Keep checking the youtube channel, facebook page and back here regular!