Early Thrasher: The Channel

This post is cringey but its true.

In an effort to get a “heads-up” on the next batch of Uni Wrong songs, I have started writing. Yes its late October. Yes we won’t even be thinking about playing them for fucking ages, and yes, its probably the case that I’ll have 3 written, then suddenly decide to write 3 more just before we record again. But it is quite fun.

Here’s the step by step analysis of my thoughts during song writing:
Stage 1 – Dread.
Stage 2 – Excitement.
Stage 3 – Self doubt.
Stage 4 – Depression.
Stage 5 – Enlightenment.
Stage 6 – Pretty good tune.

“D.E.S.D.E.P” as I now know it. Yesterday I went through stages 1 and 2… verging on stage 3. Last night I had the sort of dream I have when I’m stressed about writing songs. I dream that I’m at Epitaph Records. This sort of bullshit happens all the time. I’ve told many of you in person about it. When I’m stressed I meet my song writing heroes. Last night, I was in a taxi with Chris Hannah on the way back from Epitaph. He was grumpy and even more annoyed when the driver kept asking him if he was at University. He responded angrily “No I’m a 34 year old man!”.

Epitaph was large… a bit like a beach resort. Of course I stumble upon Brett Gurewitz. Somehow we know each other vaguely (probably from my other dreams) and I set about talking about my vision for an awesome set of songs. He thinks its cool. I’m afraid to tell him my proposition at first. Maybe because I’m scared of being shot down or something. He seems very preoccupied. Constantly getting phone calls from people. I have a quick chat with Graffin too I think. He seems to get what I’m trying to say a lot better than Brett. Understands the problems I’m having etc. I tell him Germs of Perfection is an awesome song.

By the morning, stage 3 was fully realised, as was stage 4. It turns out I’m having huge doubts over yesterdays efforts. I return home from Uni, and pretty quickly I reach stage 5. Thats where I am now. I actually have some awesome parts for a new tune.

Strangely enough, need to pitch my ideas to the band. Worried about being shot down. Maybe my dream was a metaphor? Ha. Anyhoo. Hopefully Stage 6 will soon ensue. But I’m pretty sure I’ll be going back through the first 5 stages again before the song is over. It happens all the time. I’ll get stuck half way.

Anyway. Thats my little ramble about song writing. Stressful yet enjoyable. Something I strive to be good at.

Need to collect some rent today and do lots of seminars. For now… goodbye.

If anyone knows where I am in this photo please let me know. I know its date was pre October 2005, because I have a schmohawk (ha) and look even worse than I do now. I had obviously been drinking, and to be fair it looks like a morning after shot, indicating a party.

The cupboard, bin and bottle of kitchen cleaner are all very non-specific.

Some girl posted it on the Uni Wrong myspace. I dont know who she is either. Maybe you can let me know? Take a look. Answers in a blog comment please. I feel really weird about people I dont know having photos of me… when I can’t even remember when/where it was taken. Have I been date raped?

I doubt it. If so… cheers!

Nothing much to say. Paid £250 of my own money to Jax today since no one wants to pay me. Went to Uni. Was bored to tears. Stole Jord’s Laney amp from the practice room to aid song writing (sorry jord… I assumed it’d be okay since dunbar had it didn’t he…. and… i’m you’re matey mate mate!)

Cheers big ears.

Back in Newcastle. Had a really good time in Leeds. Did not whitey. Quite an accomplishment given the circumstances I’m sure you’ll agree (or at least… you would agree were I to disclose said circumstances). Jumped a train or 2 home yesterday. Got back at around 8:30pm.

I went through the pain and stress of going to the practice room to collect rent only to find no-one was there. A myspace apology was waiting for met earlier. Lame. Nevermind though. There’s no chance I’ll get all of the money by… today. So thats shit. Need to ring Jax. Maybe I’ll do that later. Funny story, when we were driving to Manchester, we got stuck in Sunderland for a bit. So I stopped letting cars out of junctions to try to get there faster. Jax was waiting at one of the junctions. Naturally I got the “You wouldn’t let me out, would ya? eh?” response last time I saw him.

Not much on today though. I’m gonna wait till tomorrow to give him the money in the hope I can squeeze some money out of the other bands before then. Can’t wait to go home. I’m in till 5pm today. Got as Tort seminar in an hour.

Just thought I’d post a few photographs of times past. How things change:

Me and Andy Malone circa 2005 – Haven’t we aged

(Right to left) Me, Double M Assault, Chugs and 2 discrepancies.

(Left to Right) Richard Lewis, Larry David, Jeff Green – the prius is outside.

And I also just want to say, last winter was the fucking gloomiest period in my existence… but it was fucking bliss. Here’s to another sour winter, and an even more sour 2008 (y)

Also, slaveco RULE. Look them up. Here’s to good old SNFU

REALITAYYY

Good morning assholes. I am in Leeds at the minute. I leave today. Marc Mallan is asleep on the couch opposite me. Everyone else must be upstairs.

Its been a fun weekend so far. Got the train straight from University on Friday. I actually attended all of my seminars last week. Unbelievable, I was so convinced I was skipping the one on Friday. I’m really proud of that like. Mint.

So the train journey was okay. Initial worries and confusion that the platforms weren’t printed on the tickets soon subsided. Trains go so fast. 12 minutes from Newcastle to Durham. Nuts. Didn’t really get any assholes sitting next to me either which was good. May I interject here? Ouch. My shoulder hurts quite badly today. I dont know what the fuck is the matter with me.

So I arrived in Leeds, watched Saw at Helen’s house with Mal and Strad… then took a walk over to Rich’s house. Its quite good. Gloomy inside though. I dont think I could live here to be honest. But its still a good house. I think Steve got the best room. Its awesome. Loft conversion.

So yep. I’ve been off my face for 2 days. Its all over today. Jord and Ash left a while ago. They went to see Against Me! last night. Tom Gabel looked really thin apparently. Thats weird. I was such a weirdo last night. Fucking hell. I drank way too much. Though I might whitey. I had to sit outside for an hour to calm myself down. Fucking hell. Ended up just passing out. Fun though. Watched Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto yesterday. I enjoyed it a bit.

Not supposed to say that.

Also tried to watch Mr Baker or something. That was boring. Oh well. Just sipping on an Evian… trying to rehydrate. The clocks went back. Its gonna be a long day. Have to collect rent. Hope Arron posted keys. Cant be arsed with this anymore. bye.

I’m at that sort of point, where its Friday, I can’t be arsed as it is, I can’t concentrate cos I’m excited about going to leeds, and I have a lecture and a seminar left. I could take the easy way out and skip them both or be a soldier. I think I’m gonna be a soldier and just go for it. Fuck sake. I keep changing my mind all the time like.

Gonna take a walk over to the main campus and grab a sandwich in a few minutes I think. Pretty hungry. Really need to get some phone credit too. And some Vodka. I can get that tomorrow. Dont think I’ll be drinking much tonight. Maybe a glass of wine. A Cabernet Sauvignon or a lovely Shiraz.

So boring. Got to try to stay awake. Sooooo boring. Soooooo tired.

There’s this guy sitting next to me. He talks to himself when he types and reads. Lammme! Why’s he being a weirdo when I am clearly really busy and trying to concentrate! ahem. Right. Thats all. Sandwhich time.

I wont be posting from… probably tomorrow till Monday. Maybe I’ll post tomorrow if I’m on the ball, but don’t expect anything. I have to go to Leeds tomorrow to have lots and lots (and lots) of fun.

Not a lot to report today really. I’m listening to loveline with Dr. Drew and Adam (an old episode). That show is pretty funny. I like how people ring up and tell the world about their strange personal, and sexual problems. Plus Bad Religion are on the show so it makes great listening. Some pretty humorous moments.

Its approaching 7pm and I still need to do some work. I’ll do it at 7pm. For 1 hour. Then I’m done for the fucking weekend my friends. The train leaves at 3pm tomorrow. Need to charge the mp3 player. Oh. Finally downloaded that Daredevils record with Brett Gurewitz and Gore Verbinsky. Pretty good.

Not supposed to say that.

What else? Had a band practice yesterday. That was pretty fun. Me and Malone wore the same t-shirt. Pretty funny. Skipped some lectures today but did some real work instead. That was cool of me. See you later.

Happy birthday Andy Malone.

“I almost froze my dick off, walking home the other day from work!” – Derek Hogue

Jesus fuck it was cold in Newcastle today. Siberian Winter is finally upon us, after a reasonably warm start to the month. Something about me loves it, and something about me hates it. I’m not enjoying it right now. I think its my aching limbs. They don’t really mix well with the harsh cold conditions. My joints are seizing up. I think I have some sort of Arthritic condition after carrying out well-in-excess of £2000 worth of furniture removals (aka carrying a cab up some stairs on Monday).

My shoulder hurts. Even when I’m sitting still. My hip hurts. Especially when I sit still for an hour. Bus rides and lectures are nightmares. I have to limp around the campus like I’m House M.D or something. Thats the only positive point actually.

Think I need some pain killers. Its band practice today (for my other band). Haven’t finished the songs. Chris can teach us one of his. I’m too frail.

Oh. We’re taking on permanent* staff at Tear it Down Collective. Involves working long hours** for little renumeration*** or job satisfaction. Apply within.

Here’s a clue what we’ll be doing… maybe:

* As in, temporary depending on the volume of “work”
** As in, around 2 hours per week
*** As In, none.

I am seminar-boy! I attend both lectures and seminars, making frequent and relevant comments… to much praise and fanfair! Fuck… I’m good at university this year.

Hello assholes. I havent typed a post with substance for a while (as in… ever) and today is no exception. So what’s been going on in my world? Well. Not much really. I can’t even remember if I told ya about this, but I booked my train tickets to Leeds on Sunday. I picked them up at the train station yesterday. Pretty cool, thats gonna be fun. We’re going to see Kanashibara on the Firday I think. They’re on tour with the departed and are playing the Royal Park Cellars I think. We played with the Departed last night. Quite fun aside from a few tuning problems. I am currently investigating the culprit. Beware Mallan and Jord. Beware!

After the train station, I start making my way back to the campus, and suddenly some dude shouts “you get everywhere you, don’t ya?”. I turn around in horror to see it is the lollypop man who used to help me cross the road for 5 years. 5 minutes of awkward conversastion later, and I make an excuse and leave. What a weirdo!

What else? Oh yeah, fuck! Lance Hahn died! Thats really weird and lame. He was in J Church. I tried to bring it up yesterday but nobody seemed to know what the deal with him was. I hear he was an awesome guy, and I think his songs rule. Hope he’s having a good time… wherever he is right now. Its strange when you realise you’re listening to a dead guy. Kinda like listening to Sublime. I’ll feel the same way whenever I listen to J Church.

Its been a busy and tough couple of days its fair to say. Had lots of work to do. I’m being stupidly prepared. Today I checked a book out of the library so I can do even more work at home. 6 hours sleep, up at 7am and in uni till 5pm. Then home to do more work. Pretty sick. It’ll blow over in the next few days though.

I’ve got some good ideas for a new song. Our next demo’s gonna beat the shit out of this one. I say it every time… but seriously… this shit is dark… and awesome. Misery humour all round!

So there’s that whole thing.

I’m like… half tempted to start doing a zine again, but its hardly worth the effort. Tear it Down is hardly worth the effort for chrissakes. Rich 1 rang me the otherday to let me know he’d got Tear it Down mentioned in a magazine down in cambridge. Pretty cool. The Collective is happy about that. He also wanted to know the full name of the book “Participatory Economics: Life After Capitalism” by Michael Albert. I read it in Febuary. Its pretty good. Boring to start, but you have to read the whole thing. It all becomes a clear and beautiful vision at the end. Pick it up. Take it to the counter. Pay for it. Leave. Read it.

Enjoy “Tom Goes to the Mayor” below, I love that video. Laters. Back to work.

I don’t have to leave the house today. I feel mint about that. I’m going to Leeds next Friday. I feel mint about that too. Booked my train tickets yesterday. Only takes a couple of hours which is cool. Mallan and Strad are going down on the Megabus. It worked out cheaper for me to get the train than the megabus. Only £18 return. Not bad at all. So I leave on Firday at about 3pm and get back on Sunday at about 8pm I think. Just need to pick up my tickets.

So I may not have to leave the house but I’ve got quite a bit to do. I’m gonna start on my seminars which are on Tuesday. If I get 2 seminars done and caught up on Property and Public law then I’ll be really fucking prepared. That means on Tuesday I can do my seminar for Friday, and Wednesday do my Tort Seminar for Monday next week. Very organised I’m sure you’ll agree.

Got a batch of 30 Uni Wrong demos to hand out on Monday. That should be mint. Had a good band practice last night. Things have tightened up quite a bit. I was worried about Weak Handshakes but I actually managed to sing it pretty well last night. Should be fine. Need to do a quick website update for the band really. Haven’t updated for a month and a bit.

Need to get in touch with Chris Randle. Need to bother people about rent. Sigh.

Here’s a video of me. I get like this every week around Wednesday: