Next weeks recording and Isle of Wight shows…

Oi.

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.

I have a head ache. x

 

Relocation, relocation…

Hey all,

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’?

Tweet us @gandtippers and let us know!

See you at 7pm www.vectisradio.com.

x

Tracks mixed and my leg is on the mend…

Hey,

Last night I got sent the mixes of the album. We’re getting together on Sunday for a few final tweaks. They are really minor though as I think it sounds great. I’m really happy with it.

For any of you that know me, me being happy with anything is a major achievement.

After Sunday, the tracks go to be mastered, and that’s it. Album complete.

Now I have to actually work out an order. I might just write the track names on a ball and draw them out like an FA Cup draw. That’s got to be easier right?

In other news, my cast is off my leg. 6 weeks ahead of schedule. I am still a month away from putting full weight on my leg, but this means I can swim and crutch around a bit more.

I was allowed 10kg of weight last week, 20kg this week and so on. Only problem is, I’m old school, I don’t know what 10kg is!!!

Still I managed 60 lengths in the pool yesterday so I’m happy with that. Another 60 today and then the weekend off. I’ve earned it right? I think so.

x

Music Video, New Mixes & Touring…

Hey everyone,

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWRDhtYMOKY

x

 

New tracks mixed and support slot on Saturday…

Halo,

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!

That was camp.

Maybe this guy is right about me? “Is Gareth Icke gay?

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?

I should sleep. Night all. x

Video gets 21,000 hits in 3 days & I get a new leg…

Hello,

 

I’m writing from my hospital bed. It’s been a weird couple of days in the life of moi.

First of all, a massive thank you to everyone that has checked out the video for ‘Remember who you are’. The track has now received over 21,000 views in it’s first three days online. That’s not bad going!

If you haven’t already checked out the video…here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWRDhtYMOKY

The track will be available for download from itunes, amazon, play.com etc in the next few weeks. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s up.

The rest or the album is currently being mixed and mastered and will also be available within the next month or so. The record, ‘A brand new battle’ features ‘Remember who you are’, as well as eleven more brand new tunes.

Again, I’ll keep you up to date with progress.

 

As I said earlier, I am writing from my hospital bed. So if there are any spelling mistakes, blame the copious amounts of morphine I have flowing through my system.

This is why I am here.

I’ve been pieced back together with 7 screws, a plate and a bone graph. That will teach me for playing football won’t it!?

I get out of hospital and it’s a long recovery of 6 weeks in a wheelchair, then 6 weeks using crutches. But what this extra time does mean, is plenty of booking gigs.

I’ll be booking up UK and European tours for July and August.

It’s all about being positive, and that’s not just the medication talking!

 

Peace. x

 

 

Charity Show This Friday & Music Video…

Hey everyone,

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!!!

Right, I have some whiskey. It’s a treat. xxx