Like Mushrooms After Rain
Saturday, January 27, 2007
We keep springing up. Thursday night happened upon a rehearsal with a 6-piece Manzuma. Yes, almost accidentally. With it came refreshing new takes on existing songs, and an Olympic sized pool of new ideas.
Our latest recruit is titled Shane Harrison, who plays guitar (and plays it very, very well). All persons bar Erk were under the impression that he was coming along to have a listen, see if he liked it. (I've not confirmed that with Erk, by the way). After only 2 notes from his instrument it was evident that he liked it, and we liked him. For the first time since playing together I felt I knew my place in the band. My boards sounded like they fit (which could also be a response to leaving the Hohner alone and sticking with just the 3 boards all laid out in front rather than some here and some there requiring the twisting eyes of a lizard to see what I was doing). I know this feeling is echoed by other members. And so it comes that we are now complete.
Rehearsals have been happening frequently, with great jumps made each time we play. The existing material is tightening up, and we have been jamming, freestyle, on a multitude of new ideas. (We are no strangers to having half finished the next album before the current one 'drops', as is the buzzword). It is from these fluid jams that a treat comes, today, in the form of something that is yet to evolve but something featuring the 6-piece Manzuma in its first hour. It has a blatant influence from a particular band, and a particular song. There are no prizes for guessing, but please give it a go. Just click here to get it (1.35MB). It's not a Hollows song, so it doesn't get a listing on the right, or a lovely blue dot. We join the track a couple of minutes in, and only stay for about a minute and a half of its 10 minute bulk. And remember - it's not a studio track - it was recorded live at our rehearsal!
And there you have it, in all its glory. Who knows where it'll end up - stage, studio, or just here - but we like it. It's not part of Hollows, of course, because we've finished that bit. And the launch edges closer (I hear you questioning, now, whether there even is an album) - no firm anythings yet... but there is a band to play the music!
And just a short note on the photos. Both were taken at rehearsal the other night, which happened at Ugly World. The top is (L - R) Nathan, Dale and Shane (in the dark, in the background to the right of the fan). The second photo is Erk behind his kit and the 3 boards I'll be using live on the left (Korg X5 on top, Kawai K5000w in the middle and Korg TR88 on the bottom for anyone who may be minded in such a way).
Our latest recruit is titled Shane Harrison, who plays guitar (and plays it very, very well). All persons bar Erk were under the impression that he was coming along to have a listen, see if he liked it. (I've not confirmed that with Erk, by the way). After only 2 notes from his instrument it was evident that he liked it, and we liked him. For the first time since playing together I felt I knew my place in the band. My boards sounded like they fit (which could also be a response to leaving the Hohner alone and sticking with just the 3 boards all laid out in front rather than some here and some there requiring the twisting eyes of a lizard to see what I was doing). I know this feeling is echoed by other members. And so it comes that we are now complete.Rehearsals have been happening frequently, with great jumps made each time we play. The existing material is tightening up, and we have been jamming, freestyle, on a multitude of new ideas. (We are no strangers to having half finished the next album before the current one 'drops', as is the buzzword). It is from these fluid jams that a treat comes, today, in the form of something that is yet to evolve but something featuring the 6-piece Manzuma in its first hour. It has a blatant influence from a particular band, and a particular song. There are no prizes for guessing, but please give it a go. Just click here to get it (1.35MB). It's not a Hollows song, so it doesn't get a listing on the right, or a lovely blue dot. We join the track a couple of minutes in, and only stay for about a minute and a half of its 10 minute bulk. And remember - it's not a studio track - it was recorded live at our rehearsal!
And there you have it, in all its glory. Who knows where it'll end up - stage, studio, or just here - but we like it. It's not part of Hollows, of course, because we've finished that bit. And the launch edges closer (I hear you questioning, now, whether there even is an album) - no firm anythings yet... but there is a band to play the music!And just a short note on the photos. Both were taken at rehearsal the other night, which happened at Ugly World. The top is (L - R) Nathan, Dale and Shane (in the dark, in the background to the right of the fan). The second photo is Erk behind his kit and the 3 boards I'll be using live on the left (Korg X5 on top, Kawai K5000w in the middle and Korg TR88 on the bottom for anyone who may be minded in such a way).
