Next week I am down in Surrey to record a couple of acoustic tracks. It’s part of a friends project, so I’ll get to try some new stuff out.
Obviously I’ve just finished the album so it seems like poor timing for a spot of free recording. I would say that’s ‘Ironic’ but thanks to Alanis Morrisette, we all know it’s not ironic at all.
I’m going to record a couple of acoustic tracks, ‘This Ones Love’ & ‘Nothing lasts forever’. I’ll use them as B sides for the next two singles. Whatever they may be!
I’m back on the Isle of Wight next week for a couple of shows. When I left last week, I didn’t get to say a lot of good byes. Hopefully we’ll be able to have a few jars at the shows next week.
Monday 21st – Quay Arts Centre, Newport – 8pm.
Thursday 24th – Wight Rock Bar, Ryde – 9:30pm.
Tell your friends! Then kiss them. With tongues. While naked. Covered in peanut butter.
This is my first blog update from my new home. Not that that’s a particularly big achievement. They do have electricity, wifi and laptops up here, so it’s really just as simple as before.
I am up in Derby now, so hopefully, once my leg is healed, it will be a lot easier to tour. I have the whole Country pretty much on the doorstep, with no need for boats and crap.
The leg is healing ok and I’ve managed to spend a fair bit of time in the gym. I’m basically just swimming as I can’t do much else at all. But still, it gets me out the house and keeps me sane(ish).
Tonight is the first G and Tippers Show since I have moved. It’ll be a bit of a bodge job at first until we get to grips with the new set up. Mind you, it’s the bodge job part that listeners seem to like!
This weeks themes are as follows…
Ultimate dinner party? You’re allowed 6 guests. 3 alive, and 3 dead. Who would they be? And why?
Best/worst image you ever had? We all had a dodgy image when we were younger. Let us know what your worst one was, or indeed, what was the one that made you look ‘swell’?
Sorry I’ve been a bit of an absentee in the last couple of weeks. I’m still recovering from my injury at home at the moment. I’m getting better at getting around though. I still can’t walk so I’m either in a wheel chair, or on crutches.
Here is a couple of reminders why.
I’ll have triceps like Geoff Capes by the time I’mm off the crutches. You don’t know who Geoff Capes is? You should. It’s what google is there for. 😉
I’m off the heavy painkillers now so I’m beginning to function a lot better. That stuff masks the pain but sends you into orbit. I’m happy to be a little bit closer to Earth now.
Alongside the music, I am actually training to be a Personal Trainer. I know it’s not particularly rock and roll, but we all have to pay the bills. These days, 98% of music is stolen. That only leaves a few little crumbs for us poor musicians to scrap for. I need a regular wage like everyone else.
I am doing quite well in my training and have flown through the first few exams. I was marked at 485 out of 500. Round of applause? Problem is because I can’t walk, I can’t do my practical exams. Hopefully it won’t be too long.
I’ve also been setting up a few things for when I am up and about. Obviously I can’t tour yet, and I am also waiting on my album to be mastered. But once I’m walking, and it’s done, I’m on the road again. I can’t wait.
I don’t have secure dates yet but there will be plenty of shows across the UK, Europe and hopefully, further afield. There should be a few Festivals in there too.
As soon as I have contracts signed, I’ll let you know the dates.
The album, A Brand New Battle, is being mixed and mastered at the moment. I was sent a mix of Beat Up today. It sounds awesome. I’m very excited.
The first single off the album is available now. You can download Remember Who You Are by clicking here.
The video for the track is creeping towards the 50,000 mark on youtube. Thanks a lot for your support. It really is appreciated.
Today the talented fellow that is Guy Page sent me another two mixed tracks from the album.
‘Paint the town red’ and ‘Jenny’ both sound awesome. There has been the odd tweak here and there but they pretty much sounded perfect first time. I really would recommend Guy and Claydon at Studio 5a to anyone. Check out their website at www.isleofwightrecording.co.uk.
So far, Remember who you are (click to buy), A brand new battle, Satellites & wires, Jenny & Paint the town red, have all been sorted. That leaves another 7 to go and the album is done. Yay!
If you’d like to witness an apparent homosexual performing live, come down to the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, Isle of Wight, England about 8:30 on Saturday night. Since I can’t actually do much while I’m laid up like a lame horse, little opening support slots are a great excuse to get out the house.
The leg is mending by the way. Only another NINE weeks of plaster to go. It’s been 6 weeks since that fateful day, when my leg was blowing around like an American flag in a soft breeze. It actually feels like a lifetime ago.
That person that stepped out onto that football pitch at the end of February, was certainly not me. In life, challenges change people. That challenge has certainly altered who I am. Maybe that’s why it happened. To put me on the path I was meant to be on?
Would have been nicer if they’d found a less painful challenge huh?
Hope you’re all well. This is the 4th day on the trot that I haven’t left the house. The reason for this?
Yep, that’ll keep you off your feet for a while!
I’m spending my days filling out ISRC codes for the new album (very boring) and watching reruns of Only fools and horses.
On Friday morning I go back into hospital where they make the final decision whether or not to operate. I’m hoping not for two reasons.
1. It’ll bloody hurt having my bone marrow drilled out and an titanium rod put down the middle of my Tibia.
2. I have a gig on Friday night.
Now normally I wouldn’t be so eager to be sat playing a guitar in a wheel chair while my heavily plastered leg is elevated, and exposed in a room full of drunk people. But this is for charity.
In May my big sister is climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland, for alzheimers charities. I figure, if she can climb the highest mountain in Britain, I can play some songs while off my tits on a cocktail of Tramadol, and German lager.
The show is at The Wight Rock Bar in Ryde, Isle of Wight. Doors open at 8pm and entry is only £2. All the cash goes towards my sisters charity fund. So please be a good sport and come along!
I’ll (touch wood) be playing about 8:30 with Tim Pritchard. Then This Way Up and Bear Attack Club will be finishing off the evening.
3 bands for £2? Fucking bargain!
The music video for ‘Remember Who You Are’ is nearly completed. I have seen a sneak peak and it looks awesome. It should be ready by the end of next week.
I can’t wait to get it out there and let you all have a watch. I hope you’ll enjoy it!!!
Hope you’re all good and stuff. It’s Valentines Day so I hope you got some nice gifts. Chocolates, flowers, condoms, whatever floats your boat. I didn’t get a card this year. But then why would I? According to this gentleman, I don’t even know my own sexuality.
This guy has dedicated an entire webpage, and VIDEO to the fact that I am gay. That’s some serious dedication I must admit. His proof is pretty overwhelming. Please check out the video for yourself.
His name is Chris Constantine and according to the BBC, he has ‘serious mental health issues’.
That was an interesting watch for me yesterday I must admit!
Anyway, back down to planet Earth.
I have completed the music video for ‘Remember who you are’. It’s now being put together and special affects added. I can’t wait for you to see it.
I won’t give too much away but in the space of 3 hours I blew out a girlfriend, got hit by a car, ran through a graveyard, and attended my own funeral. Just another normal day in North London.
As soon as it’s completed, the link will be spread far and wide. Much like my legs are as I’m enjoying another mans company.
Do you reckon Mr Constantine has a secret fantasy about me? Maybe.
On March the 9th I’m playing my last show on the Isle of Wight for quite some time. At the end of March I’m moving back up to Derby and won’t be around the South coast any more.
The show on the 9th is at The Wight Rock Bar in Ryde. It’s to raise money for my Sisters charity climb of Ben Nevis.
Bear Attack Club, This Way Up and myself will be performing. All for a mere £2. Doors open at 8pm. Get your arse there! 🙂
I shouldn’t really be talking about arses. I’ll give you all ideas.
I am off up to the smokey metropolis we call London on the 9th of Feb, to start work on a music video for ‘Remember Who You Are’, The song was written to go alongside the release of my Dads book, of the same name.
The video will be shown on a massive screen behind me and my band when we play at Wembley Arena in October. Yes, you did read that correctly, Wembley Arena.
The idea for the video is wicked. It’s really thought provoking and interesting. I do hope you’ll like it!
At last my second album is complete. It still needs mastering and mixing but as far as recording, our job is done.
Now I just need to sort out an album title and get it released and out into your eardrums.
The mixing and mastering shouldn’t take long at all so I’m looking for a release around the end of March.
One track off the album, ‘Remember Who You Are’ will be released well before that. I had a meeting in London on Friday to put together ideas for a music video to be released on YouTube by the end of February.
While the record won’t yet be for sale, it’s quite a cool way to advertise it’s release and get some interest around the internet. Well, that’s the plan anyway!
This is a self release and while that’s amazing because I get the record to sound how I want it to, it’s also down to me to sort everything else out.
Once it’s released, I’ll piece together a tour and hopefully come and play somewhere near you.
I am playing a charity show tomorrow (Friday 16th) at Coburgs in Ryde, Isle of Wight.
The event aims to raise money for the Isle of Wight’s ‘Barely Born’ Foundation. They do a great job raising money for the Islands Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Please check them out by clicking onto Barely Born.
On Friday there are three bands. Bandit The Panther, The Rozzers and myself. There is a suggested donation of £2. Two quid for three acts, and you’ll be helping give babies a fighting chance.
Do something good this Christmas. £2 isn’t even the price of a pint, but collectively, it can make a massive difference.
I have finished the tracks for my new album. On Monday, I start the vocals. Should be finished with them within the next 3 or 4 weeks. Then a quick mastering and it’s all finished.
I haven’t worked out a running order yet but the tracks I have laid down are…
Jenny, Satellites & Wires, Colours, Remember Who You Are, A Brand New Battle, What’s Love Without Meaning, Paint The Town Red, Beat Up, Growing Pains, Don’t Say It, Adrienne & Sleep With The Girl.
I don’t have an album title yet but I’ve been using the working title of ‘The Non-Delivery Boy’. It seems that in my late twenties I’ve realised that as a footballer, musician & ice hockey player, I promised much, but never quite delivered. So I guess the title is a tongue in cheek dig at myself.
I can’t wait for you to hear the record. It does sound great. Totally up another level from ‘It gets worse at night’. As long as I am getting better and not worse, I should be pleased right?
As soon as the record is done and released, I’ll be back out on tour across Europe and across the UK. I’ll keep you posted.
Tonight is Thursday night. That means one thing. The G & Tippers Show. On tonight’s festivities is the legend that is Alex Lloyd. Massive MASSIVE artist from Australia. He’ll be pitching his wits against yours truly in the G & Tippers quiz. I hope I won’t let my fellow English down!
Also, check out my Movember efforts. I think you’ll be quietly impressed.
