A palpable victory.

 That's what today was. First rehearsal in over a year (!), and we smashed it. I know, a year without rehearsals seems like a long time, and - well, it is. But there's a solid reason for that. We spent most of 2024 (and the tail end of 2023) gigging, constantly. We did Japan, Australia, The US, and the UK. All in all, it worked out at 35 shows - more than at any other time since 1993. So, we knew the set, inside out, we'd lived and breathed the songs, and we'd performed them in all sorts of situations and locations. So, they'd become a part of us. We really didn't need to try and underscore that knowledge, by rehearsing. 

But, since the last show of the world tour, and downtime over Xmas, it felt like time to get back in the studio once more. So, here we are. 

And damn, it was great. After all of the hard work, and practising the songs at home, it was a relief to hear it all come together. 

Breakthrough

 Finally feels like I'm getting to grips with the old songs - and here's what it looks like, to distill all of the information about a track, into a framework that makes sense, to me

It's like a map, really; a way to navigate the song, pointing out my movements, along the way. 

I can still recall first joining the band, in October 1988. I went along to rehearse for the very first time and made just the same sort of map. A small piece of cardboard, folded in half. On it, instructions for at least six or seven songs. I think I used that bit of cardboard for at least the first couple of dozen shows. Balancing it on the left-hand side of the keyboard, I could subtly glance over, halfway through a song, and make sure I knew what was coming next. 

I'm fairly sure that I'm a better musician and performer than I was, back then, but it's faintly reassuring to realise that my internal mapping process hasn't changed at all. I still have exactly the same approach, as I did. Very comforting.

With that breakthrough out of the way, it's also allowed me to open the window into personal logistics for the Cruise, next week. Up until now, I've just been preoccupied with the songs. That was front, and centre. Now I've reached the other side, my brain has shifted slightly, and I'm starting to think about the clothes I'll need. Shall I pack some trunks? Do I need flip-flops? Have I still got any sun cream? Shall I buy more toothpaste? All of the small, everyday things that seem like a grind, but in fact - hold the magic of travel. Bring it on. Time to plot. 

Rehearsing

 And it's meant I need a new keyboard. the old one (visible in the back of this photo) was really on its last legs. I'm trying to recall how long I've had it - was it ten years? Or maybe even longer. I know I was using the newer "main" stage keyboard seven years ago, so it's a long way back from that. 

Anyway - let's assume the old one has done fifteen years. And I've replaced it, like-for-like, with another keyboard, to act as my backup, or spare. The good news: it's so cheap, to do this. A replacement is about £40, which seems like an absolute bargain.

Also, apologies for the room being in a state, I'll tidy it soon, I promise.

One of those weeks

 

And by that, of course, I mean a gig week. This time, it's been a long time. Far too long - for obvious reasons. so, it's strange to be doing it again, but wonderful, too. We've already got the first couple of hurdles out of the way - shows supporting the Sisters Of Mercy, and an appearance at Camper Calling, but it's time to do it on our own.

Back to the rehearsal studio, then. For so many years, this was at Survival, in North Acton. We'd rehearsed there before the band became famous, and we just carried on, creatures of habit. There were periods where we rehearsed intensively; the most notable of these around the tours for "Perverse", and "Already". As the most tech-heavy of the sets we played, these needed lots of extra work, and a schedule that drifted into monotony. We'd be block-booked for a couple of weeks, with the entire stage set-up meticulously constructed. We'd arrive at 10, work for three hours, break for lunch up in the canteen, and then get back to it, until 5. After a week or so, the impetus to keep going rapidly diminishes, you just get so sick of the songs. But it does help - we ran through "Idiot Stare" so many times that it became second nature.

That's definitely at the heart of our rehearsal strategy now - second nature, and muscle memory means we're less likely to need such an intensive programme of preparation. For the last few years, we've decamped to our new studios in Surrey, for two weekends. Then, we dropped that to one. We'd block book an evening, and the following morning, so the gear could stay up. Run through the set a couple of times on each day.

But after the shows this year, it's become apparent that we really do have that degree of second nature, down to a fine art. We dropped our rehearsal requirement again. We now do one day. Not only that but one session! So, in at 6pm, done by 10. Run through the set once, and give extra attention to the "new" songs. For the purposes of most rehearsals, this just means songs that are making a reappearance in the set, that we've not played for a while. Just blast through these with much more emphasis - perhaps two or three times in a row. Play through the whole set, then back to those songs, again. We're done within two, or three hours.

I do like how the times have changed, but there's still a part of me that misses the repetition, as it was a part of my life, a routine that underpinned who I was. 

Can't quite make sense of the idea...

That's I'll be off to Brazil, in three weeks.

Seems so ludicrous. And let's face it, it's been a tortuous journey, to make this show happen - and the plane hasn't even lifted off the ground. One day, I'll tell it all. Anyway - it's on, and I must begin the process of preparation. One way that can be made a lot more enjoyable, is for me to start mentally packing that case, working out the dopp kit, musing on Spotify playlists, etc.
And if I'm doing THAT.....

Then it's odds-on that the new Hania Rani album will be somewhere near the top of the pile. Jeez, it's amazing. Like so much of the other output on the Gondwana label - it's this beautifully downbeat, contemplative Jazz-ambient melange of influences. It's just terrific. There's a Spotify curated playlist of Label tracks, that Hania has done too - I highly recommend it.

Just write

Sometimes, that's all I want to do. I'm actually getting better at typing now, so I can try and get everything out there, in real time. Previously, there always felt like there might have been some sort of disconnect. So, now I can let it flow, a little. Which feels good, and it's a little bit of a kick to the pants: a way of stimulating my thoughts, and laying them down on the page.
Today has been....OK, I guess. Some achievement, some forward progress. I'm a terrible procrastinator, so grinding the gears is a good thing.
More work on the new car issue (almost sorted - at least, decisions seem to be being made) and a lot of logistical focus on some upcoming shows. That includes, one in the US. First time for me, since a couple of months before 9/11. Time passes quickly, doesn't it?
And I finished the Murakami. I can't quite recall a time when a book moved me as much, and stayed in my mind. A long, slow, exhale. I'm buying another.

The Pledge Music collapse.

This has been a trying time, for the band. We launched two albums last year, via Pledge Music, but the platform is now imploding. We've not been paid, and others are owed sums far greater than us. It's all led to a slew of articles, and podcasts, and interviews, for me. I've not especially loved the attention - I'd much rather have had the funds, and been able to pay my bills! But, if it's a battle they want, then it's a battle they shall have, I'm nothing if not tenacious.
More details - the latest tweets, etc - are here:
It's Wreaked Havoc

There's always a reason...

....and it does tend to be the band.
We've just finished a run of four shows: St.Albans, Manchester, Southend, Twyford. I love getting back out there again - indeed, I seem to love it more as the years pass - but it's a lot of hard work.
I don't just mean the physical effort of playing, but just organising everything. I end up being, literally, two people. There's the person I actually am - living my life, posting on facebook, picking the kids up from school, cooking, cleaning, tidying the house. Then there's the person who writes all of the facebook/twitter/instagram for the band, and manages logistics for the tour. The two personae are so different that they tend to repel each other, slightly. And overall, it means that actually being IN the band (is that person number three??) is almost impossible to contemplate. All this means I find rehearsing a real struggle. I can't compartmentalise the specifics of what I have to do onstage, as I'm too busy thinking of whether i've a) cooked a meal for the family, or b) whether I've booked hotels for the tour.
So it's nice to decompress, after a tour. That's what today is all about.

Hold on, where did the time go?

It's been - well, it's been busy.
I made a video for the new single, which was a somewhat tortured process, but ultimately rewarding. I used Rotor, which is a truly revolutionary way of allowing artists to make video content - I just need to practise a little more! Hopefully, I'll get that chance - the plan is to release visual montages for each of the three tracks on the forthcoming EP. So, one down, two to go.
Apart from the Joneses - change has been progressing, as ever. I'm a little lighter now, which is nice, I was a little flabby at the start of the year. I look back on some of the photos of myself in Tokyo, and wince. I'm about half a stone lighter now, which is great. A start. I've been exercising, and eating better, and the drop in alcohol consumption must have helped too.
One of the nice things about reducing my alcohol intake has been the return of my senses. I can taste, and smell things with greater clarity -  which was a huge surprise. I'm not complaining though, at this time of year, there's an ozone freshness to the air, and the smell of flowers, grasses-  even weeds, can be quite overpowering.
I'm drinking all of that in, instead.

Ads.

You may have noticed (hey, who am I kidding, I'm not sure anybody actually reads this blog) that I've put some adsense ads on the site. I'm not entirely sure why: it breaks the artistic integrity of the page (he said, snootily) and it's....well, it's a sell-out, isn't it?
But, in the spirit of change, I've decided that I might as well give it a go. My earnings to date, over the history of this little blog, have been eight pennies. So I'm not expecting fame and fortune. I just wanted to see what happens. Curiosity has got the better of me, again.
In other news, the lyrics to "Right Here Right Now" are going to be in The Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame. I'm sending them, via FedEx, tomorrow. Very odd to think that this little song, which Mike wrote in that grotty flat, at 210a Chapter Road, in Dollis Hill, has travelled so far.
Right, time to get back to CDNX stuff. I've not really explained a lot about CDNX, have I?
Well, it's a new Radio station. My third (or fourth) venture into the medium. There was Xfm, then NME Radio, then the Music Machine, and now this. I've been reading the music news bulletins for some time, and there's the very real possibility i might end up doing an actual show, later this year. I'll keep you all posted.

We're back!

Today, I've been listening to the new Jesus Jones demos. there's a pair of new tracks ("How's This Even Going Down?", and "Fall") and a reworking of "Stripped". I have to say, the latter is just....amazing. It's noisy, unruly, and utterly ace. It's nice to think that they're the best things we've done for at least a decade.
Mind you, they're the only things we've done for a decade.
Anyway, now the real work starts: working out how to release it all.
Apart from that, it's chilli night. We had a lovely piece of topside for Sunday lunch, and the leftovers will be put to good use tonight.

Quiet morning

I'm sitting in the gym. Well, i'm in the cafe, anyway. Kids are in school, or the creche, so i'm free to work on the CDNX wordpress, for a while. I've also been sorting out JJ stuff - another two gigs in the pipeline, which is good news. Website looks set for a relaunch, and there's new material on the horizon. I know i'm bound to be biased - but it does sound really, really good. Best stuff we've done for 20 years.

Monday, Monday.

It was actually a rather good day. Got lots done (always helps), and the Landscape team came over to fix the base for the new shed, so the garden is starting to take shape.
Things are afoot with the band as well, I've sent out the bat signal for the crew, for the upcoming shows, and i'm trying to get a nice project going, which could see Mike collaborate with someone very eager indeed. It's all a bit hush-hush, but it's looking....interesting.
In other news, the scab on my hip is finally fading away, and the ligaments in my hand seem to be getting better. However, it's a very, very slow process.
I'm also thinking about skating again. When I've not done it for so long, it's an itch that really needs scratching. plus, I get to play with some toys. I've got a nice OG Skaterbuilt 12" pig, which would make a wonderful carving machine. Needs some swiss in the BDS dubcons, and the risers need swapping out. Might have to sort the bushings, too.
Told you it was about playing with toys, didn't I?

A little relief

Well, the ligaments in my hand seem to be sprained, and not torn. That's pretty good news, and spares me the hassle of surgery (always a nuclear option, but one I was keen to avoid).
The downside is that, as the swelling subsides, the actual twinges of pain in my hand are slightly more intense. Time to grin and bear it, I guess.
Today? Need to tie up some loose ends around the JJ tour in November, and do some general life-laundry. I've been using Priority Matrix of late, but i'm still undecided as to whether it's helping me become more productive. That just might be a battle that software alone, can never win.
Music-wise, i'm determined to listen to Red Noise today. What an album. Can I just go on record here and say: it's all about the endings.

The band rears its head once more.

First Jesus Jones gig of the year is now 5 days away. There are still two rehearsals to go, a lot of sample tweaking, and some logistical niggles to get sorted (OK - how do I get hold of all the merch I need in time?)
However, it's great to be doing it again. Having Gen back on the drumstool has mad a huge difference - it feels like the heartbeat is back. Gen plays sharp, tight, and with a lot of power - but there's a groove, and a shuffle to songs like "IBYT" which just makes the song what it should be. I was driving home after the last rehearsal thinking how lucky I am to have found this other family, which has defined so much of my life, taken me around the world, and opened my eyes. We're closer now than we've ever been, and that makes me very happy.

End of the week

It's been a good day, today. Lots of organising re: the Jones gig (checking the crew, emailing the festival for parking info - all the glamorous stuff. Also saw Neil, our video guru, and got a working DAT machine sorted. That means I've sorted another tranche of demos for the *ahem* secret project. It's looking good, that's all I'm saying for now. I'm now sat on the sofa, while Milo eats a biscuit, watching the clouds roll over the back garden. Nearly time to get that bath run, and get M to bed. Then? Perhaps a curry. I've eaten it once today, so why not do it again? With Indian food, more is more.

Why I'm keeping this blog going

Well, it's simple really: nearly ten years. That's how long I've been doing this - sure, there have been periods of inactivity - but it's a huge chunk of my life! This 25% segment covers all of the incredible stuff too: my reincarnation as a Radio DJ, the divorce, the rebirth of the Joneses, the actual birth of my children.
Blogs are a little old hat now - everyone's got Tumblr, haven't they? But there's something about a blog -it's polite, measured, and slightly aloof. It's a place where you lot can actually find out what I'm like, as I tend to speak with my real voice. How many of you out there use facebook in a (let's face it) slightly preening fashion? I know I do - it's all about the smart remark, the witty rejoinder, the devastating putdown. In essence, facebook has actually become Lamebook, and most people seem to like it that way (it is great entertainment, after all)
But a blog - that's calmer. Quieter. I like it that way, and I'm keeping it that way.

Where have I been?

Well - Japan, Australia, Birmingham.....and a serious diversion to that place called fatherhood, again. And Milo makes four. Quite amazing, really.
Lovely to be here in the suburbs, there's something peaceful about it all.
Familiar too, seeing as I was born just up the road. I'm learning to get out and about on my bike, too: I'll be healthy if it kills me.....
Today's listening pleasure comes from Winter Hours, something quite wonderful sent my way from my old friend Moe.
For those of you who may want to read my musings because of my connections to the band, I can tell you all now - I'm working INCREDIBLY hard on getting that programme of remasters and reissues sorted. As soon as there's news, I'll let you all know.
I'll leave you with this, I think. One of those random songs that popped onto the car stereo this morning, as I was doing my daily journey to pick up bits'n'bobs for the little boy. OK, it's nominally about Winter - but it has a sonic palette that equally suits a sunny summer morning.

Oh, hello Blog.

It's been too long, really. Must get round to doing more updates.

So - it's been a particularly intense year for me.

Jesus Jones gigs, a house move, and another wee one on the way. That's enough for anyone, I suppose.

More soon.

History Lesson for you....

"I never smoked me no cigarettes, I never drunk much booze"
Well, I think Bon Scott might have been stretching the truth somewhat, don't you? This is AC/DC at their finest, and it's taken from "Let There Be Rock".
However, it's interesting for another reason. It's the touchstone for quite a lot of what we did in Jesus Jones. Have a listen:

Now, listen again, and sing "...Yes you know how some things seem like God's Gift.." over the top of it. See what I mean? It's the inspiration for "Song 13", as well as " Don't Believe It" and a couple more as well. It's not that Mike ripped it off, it's just his favourite chord progression - so a little of "Overdose" bled into a lot of what we did. Mike knows this song in absolute minute detail, and there are other fragments of it that have ended up influencing the way we sounded. And people thought we were just a Baggy band? Hah. Think again.
The reason this has ended up on the blog today? It popped up onto the car stereo as I was heading to Homebase to buy some bamboo canes for my Roses. How's that for incongruous?