On The Third Day - or - No Escape From Reality
Current mood: drained
Category: Music
I had an exciting time over the weekend. I accidentally (again) ran out of the little white pills my Doctor gives me, that stop my head and the world around it from exploding.
I can go a couple of days usually, it's the third day that really becomes major challenge. This time it was 4 days, and as i remembered the words of Dave McCallum The Invisible Pineapple, "Don't have a freakout", i realised that a talking Invisible Pineapple living in my front room was the least of my problems.
I went to visit some mates who live less than five minutes walk from Disgracelands. This was on the evening of the third day, and as i arrived at their house i was already in a mess. The walk had been like being on the back of a motorbike, wearing a full faced lid & the visor down, over bumpy ground. That shaky blinkered peripheral vision coupled with the strange separation from reality that looking out from behind a curved plastic screen gives you...and the lack of any real control.....and thinking, "i'm gonna fall off in a minute".
We retired to the garden, to see if nicotine would help, as the flowers and bees did Hoffmanesque things, and i jumped over stuff that wasn't there. As i say, the third day can be a bit of a challenge.
The good news is that i did get me pills but forgot to take them for several hours when i got home as i was still fucked up from going to the Chemist to collect the damned things.
I did then take them, and thirteen hours later, (4:00am), i realised that the things inside and the things outside my head were moving around at roughly the same pace once again.
Cool !!
I tried to record a track during all this, and although some recordings were attempted, i ended up with a drum solo covered in lots of mental effects.. That worked !!
Think Once Think Twice Think, Don't Run Out Of Meds
cheers y'all
Currently
listening
:
X
By
Klaus Schulze
Release date: 2005-02-22
Cat Crap Fever - or - Rice And Fall
Current mood: full
Category: Music
Yowdy good people.. it seems that people in the swanky end of London are now paying £50 (thats about 100 of yer US Dollars) for a cup of coffee thats been passed through the bowels of a cat. Damned good coffee, so they say, but last night i watched tv pictures of kids picking up grains of rice from the floor of a market , just so they & their family could eat. Enjoy your coffee ! And by the way, i'd crap in your cup for a penny ! Don't say i didn't warn you! peace, r
Mind Games - or - The Answer’s In The Question.
Current mood: impervious
Category: Music
Well, heres a great questionnaire that i just made up -
Please answer ruthlessly and effectively, for maximum impact.
Section A - Science and nature
1) A man leaves your house wearing a pair of shoes. He walks 5 miles east, 3 miles north east, and 2 further miles east. Where the hell has he gone with your shoes?
2) Mel Gibson. True or false?
3) A fridge weighs 300 pounds, it needs to be moved a distance of 2 metres. Can anyone help me move my fridge?
4) Are you a) b) a bee
Section B - Literature and horses
1) All pizza should be available for free. Discuss
2) When is it okay to punch the Queen? a) never b) at the Lord Mayors show, & Ascot c) anytime we like...we pay for her.
3) A man leaves your house wearing another pair of shoes. How many legs has he got?
Log Jam - or - The Brown Notes
Current mood: calm
Category: Music
Howdy to you all-
NEW TUNE - LOG JAM 001
In amongst the guitars i've been testing & recording for Happy Orange Balloon this week, i picked up a heavily customised ESP Telecaster i'd been given last year - it's nickname is 'THE LOG'. It needs the neck shimmed up a little & some new strings, but it's got the most amazing pick-up i've ever played -It's like a valve amp all in itself - you get to balance the fine line between sweet & filth, & with no tone control on the guitar, it's all about the intention behind the note- The eyebrows have it, as just a slight incline can bleed the living soul from a string. Any bad Actor would have a field day...and i do !!
You may think it odd to name guitars, but it makes them much easier to find. I don't mean in terms of standing on the front step & calling their names for dinner. Imagine an enclosed space, my old dining room for example. 2 hi-fi 's ,2 p.a setups, a 4ft high bass bin, another 5 guitar amps, a set of 400 watt speaker boxes, 3 basses, maybe 15 guitars, plus an 8 track, & our beer! Oh yeh, plus the 3 of us in the band and maybe a spectator or 2, sat around the dining room table, by the piano. It was full. So, in order to avoid confusion , i could ask 'can i have Little Red, or Shep, or The Bullshit, and everyone knew what i meant... A non guitarist guest, in my old dining room for example, may not know the difference between their Eivind Aarset and their E-Bow, but at least they knew what i meant when i asked for the guitar by name!
(back to the story)
As i was jamming ideas, the groove appeared & after adding another 2 1st take guitars in the back i call it a day. It's the nearest i can get to live jamming with myself, not to play anything back, just hit record for another take & leave it- The quality distorts out once or twice, but hey, don't we all !! There are also a couple of 'brown notes', which i would take out, but hey, thats jazz.... It is if it comes 'round here!! luvya robbo
Three Feet Overground - or - Get A Handel On This
Current mood: lazy
Category: Music
I was thinking that when Handels Messiah was played for the very first time, people must have been so overcome with emotion, that they left the building in tears.
A man called Tony that i once knew, did the same thing by breaking wind in a pub.
It's a true story.
Once upon a time in robboland, when beer was still about 62p (less than a dollar & a half) for a WHOLE PINT of the stuff, which was handy, as i earnt almost exactly enough for about 100 pints a week, which was handy, cause that's what i drank, ...where was i ? Oh yeh, in a pub, we had an elusive, but by no means exclusive, band of Brothers & Sisters. Set apart from all the rest, always unspoken, always acknowledged. Maybe a slight flick at the end of a cigarette, or a scratch at an old head-scar caused by falling over drunk, in the toilets of the very same pub a year ago. We were the elite.
THE 3 FOOT HIGH CLUB.
It may have been a downward slide, or a full on back half-flip, maybe even the footslip combined with the forward headbutt, or my personal sperciality..missing the fucker altogether, and then collapsing backwards, head first toward the floor. We had ALL at somepoint, because of sheer alcoholic intake, fallen off a barstool in a spectacular fashion.
I was reminded of this the other day. Thank you, Oh shit, i just reminded my self, about 10 years ago, i stood up on the foot rung of a barstool, forgetting about the large wooden beam that had been there since the 15th century..i still have the dent in my head! That happened twice, in 2 different pubs, once about 15 years before that..what are the chances of that ? Simply amazing !!
When was the last time you fell off a barstool in a spectacular fashion and why? Did you live? Great. Well, thats cleared that up then.
Another Year Older -or- Getting Too Tall for My Hair
Current mood: creative
Category: Music
Well HOWDY to you one and all- And i think we are sufficiently far enough into 2008 for me to dispense with my Humbug-ery & wish you all a happy & successful new year.
It's been just over a year since i connected with myspazz & a great year it was too-
Here's a secret..after i got onto myspazz & hassled 100 people into being my fwends, i pretty much let robboland to go where it will, made very few fwend requests after that just as an experiment to see what would happen -
Well, i'm still here, & am now approaching 600 fwends, so many many thanks to all who have made the effort to contact me & for all the comments, messages and support- I've made some great contacts, and some real Friends and am constantly inspired by the amazing things people are creating here on myspace-
Lots of you already know that i suffered a huge mental breakdown about 5 years back, which left me completely in pieces at the time, but from which has come great things- A couple of the offshoots of my breakdown were that i have agorophobic & socialphobic tendencies, so this whole virtual community thang has been a real tonic and a massive boost- i thoroghly reccomend it!
So what of this year? Well, things are going great guns at The Happy Orange Balloon, we are currently working on a bunch of new tunes, some really exciting stuff going on, many different directions & probably the most challenging thing i've done musically- I never know quite what i'm going to receive by email from Danilo (the other half of Happy Orange Balloon), but it is NEVER boring! If you haven't checked us out, theres a link on my page, & Romeosoundwork (on my top friends) is where you will find Dan's solo stuff- do check it out, Dan is quite the Sonic Magician. My favorite track of his, is 'what a mother once said to a son about his girlfriend', a fantastic piece of work!
I've been putting all sorts of things onto my player recently, live solo unplugged stuff, sessions from 1999 with a 'real band', drunken ramblings etc. - There will be more new tunes from robboland at some point in the near future, but at the moment, my creative energy is mostly focussed on the Balloon - we have had some great support & interest & want to back it up with some more tunes..you ain't heard nothin yet!!
I'm also in the process of passing the track 'None More Funky' over to Scott at Nebudelic Sound System for a re-mix.. we spoke last year about a possible collab, & this track just seemed right for the task. Again, the Neb's are on my top friends, check out the remix of Professor Yaffles 'Son of a hermit', just epic!
So, no real jokes in this blog, sorry, i'll try harder next time, but just an update & a thank-you to all who have given their support over the year - Keep up the good work guys & gals, YOU ROCK !!! luvnpeas, robbo
Currently
listening
:
Sonic Codex
By
Eivind Aarset
Release date: 24 September, 2007
Red Carpet Treatment - or - Big Reservations
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Music
Robbo's Big Night Out
Well hiya folks, it's been a fun week here, in & around Disgracelands- The big thang was my trip to London last Thursday- off to Leicester Square, (pronounced 'Lesster' for my American cousins), in the heart of London's 'Theatre- land'. The event was a Gala evening thrown by the good folk at www.bethemoviestar.com, which combined a film premiere, with a short awards ceremony, & the casting announcements for the feature film 'Rapture', which begins filming in January 08-
The main news for me & anyone who has been following my exploits, is that i did not get offered a role in the film- the two roles i was up for both went to experienced actors, both of whom will do a great job, & are real nice people, so to Emile & Dom, congratulations from me-
I was asked to present one of the awards at the event, which basically involved jumping onstage reading the names of the nominees & then opening a gold envelope to read the words "and the winner is.." (i could have ad libbed that bit), and announcing the winner & handing over the prize- so that was all good fun-the best bit of that was, because i was presenting an award, i had a RESERVED front row seat..thats RESERVED...For Me! Which i made a great point of telling everyone who walked within ten yard's of my seat.."RESERVED !!, IT's MINE!"
I had to go into Bigtown the day before the event to get a haircut, & some clothing which went without incident, despite a few near murders i almost committed, - must try harder next time!
After the event, we retired to a club around the corner where we drank more (we'd met up in a pub before the event, so already had a few inside us all), and despite the 5 flights of stairs we had to go down..then up..each time we wanted a cigarette, & the massivley overpriced drinks in the club..(I mean, £7.90 for 2 half pint bottles of lager!, thats about $16 US, for a bloody PINT of beer!)-
I had a brilliant time, but was pretty relieved to be sitting on the train heading home- i met some top people & have been in touch this week with a few- there are more film castings coming up, so watch this space, & I'LL BE BACK cheers, Robbo
Currently
listening
:
NP3
By
Nils Petter Molvaer
Release date: 15 April, 2002
Myspace or Yours - or - My Word, It’s My Bond
Category: Music
Howdy good people- i thought i would take the opportunity to give an update on the latest news from robboland HQ, as things are getting mighty groovy in a big swirly kind of way right now-
Firstly, what news on the film career? Well, for those who don't know, i responded to an online global casting call earlier this year- with a view to appearing in a feature film (yep, Cinema & everything) thats gonna be filmed in London early next year- Much to my shock, horror & general surprise, i was shortlisted for 2 roles- so have been doing screen tests, and generally learning loads about the film making process, & meeting some top people along the way- Well, the wait is almost over, & next Thursday (the 18th October), theres a big bash in London, where, among other things, the full cast list will be announced- so by next Friday, i will know whether i've been successful on this occasion - Although i would be very surprised to actually be offered either of the roles, due mainly to my lack of Film acting experience, it's sort of dawning on me how much of a life changing experience this could actually be, should i get either of the parts- Anything could happen, & it's pretty freaky to be on a shortlist of only 8or 9 people for one of the roles, considering as i say, that the search has been world wide & i've been up against some pretty hot talent in the competition-
So i'm getting suited & booted up next week & heading off to London's West End, for an evening which will combine a film premiere, the casting announcements & an awards ceremony for the community thats grown out of the casting process- The great thing is, i've been asked to present one of the awards on the night (Oscar Stylee) , so thats a real privilege for me- & they've confirmed that i do not have to wear a bow tie! So i said YES, i'll do it.
I'll keep you updated on the results of that one-
On the music front, I sent some guitar riffs to Danilo at Romeosoundworks (on my topfriends list), a week or two ago, & he has been weaving his magic with them, in the first of what we both feel is going to be many collaborations in the future- if you have not heard his sounds, then do check him out- he has this amazing way of creating 3-dimensional visual experiences with his music- & the work in progress is sounding real good- something very very different from robboland- which is really the idea of collaborating as far as i'm concerned. Not only that, but as i've been working solo for the last few years, it's great to be mixing it up with another creative soul, something which i always find massively inspiring & always a great learning experience-
I have plans for a few other collaborations in the pipeline, with various other myspacers & am really looking forward to pushing myself into different directions as i have an incredibly low boredom threshold & always look to bring other aspects into my music- gotta keep it interesting!
My current solo project is a James Bond type theme tune, the experiment was to create a Bond theme without infringing copyright & to try to find what it was that made a Bond theme ..well, Bondy.. The strange thing was, that having put the backing tracks down, i found that it was possible to play a whole bunch of existing Bond themes over the top of it (so i think i succeeded)- I'm in the process of adding the guitars at the moment, & now the experiment is to mix it all up & create something coherent, groovy, funky, robbolandy & Bondy all at once- (no wonder i have a headache)
Thanks to all who gave such amazing feedback on my tune 'Onward'- it made the process really worthwhile- & while i never try to worry about what other people will think of my stuff when creating it, it has been a real blast to get your comments- i'm blown away at the response- thanks again-
With UK winter threatening to take a hold any minute now, it really cheered me up- Cheers y'all robbo
Death & Taxis - or - Are you ’Shore ?
Current mood: mellow
Category: Music
I remembered an event.. this really happened, but it would have been better for everyone if it didn't..
i hope i haven't already told you..
if i have, here's the quick version
We smashed up a boat.
so sit back, & enjoy..boat disaster in LONDON. (1983)
So Landlubbers, this tale starts in Chelmsford, one friday or saturday night..this much is unclear..but it was in 1983 or very close to it- anyway, thats not the point... We were going to London for the night, to get on a boat, up & down the Thames River, that had a bar on it- (don't worry, it's not the 'Marcheness'), and then go back to a party... So, after getting on the coach..we soon discovered that no-one was allowed to drink alcohol, because of the insurance..so some one asked the driver if we could smoke.."Yep" was the reply..it was like peaking in "A Small World" at Disneyland..all this shit suddenly appearing all at once.. bicycle pumps, concealing 11 inch spliffs, tennis rackets with removable end-stops- machines, pipes, bongs, .. after a while, we got to london.. as we walked up the steps to get on the boat, my mate Nige, is telling us a story, about how a friend of his hit someone in the face, while explaining a Kung-Fu move, & getting too excited in his movements, he threw a punch, & accidentally hit a passer-by in the face.. as Nige explained this, & got too excited, & threw a punch..he smacked an elderly woman n the face.. she wasnt bleeding , & there were lots of people less irresponsible than us, so we fucked off... Anyway, we are now on the boat, & someone mentions the bizznezz outside, with the old-girl getting accidentaly smacked in the moosh..my mate Nige says..'Yeh, that was me, ' & is really feeling guilty..(the old woman is alright), & as he gets excited, explaining the Kung Fu move..& threws THAT punch..it hit's an old Man in the face.. We ran off.. Later, when the bar opened, the Old Man & HIS WIFE !!! were the managers of the bar.. So we took it in turns, to cover Nige with a big pile of coats, & sit on them, while someone else went to the bar & got him drinks..
I sat there at one point & said 'God, i'm slaughtered..thank shit we're back at last', at which point everyone laughed & pointed because we hadn't set off yet!
Someone then danced like a twat, & the boat got smashed up..(not by us, too many of us were under coats, for various reasons). We got on the coach & got back to Chelmsford. There was suddenly beer everywhere..most of us had been sick when we docked, so that was cool- NO one got beaten up, no one got arrested, we got back..
Everyone gets Taxi's back to the party.. 4 of us left..me, Nige & a couple of girls, they phone for a taxi, it pulls up, they jump in, it fucks off... it starts raining.. He goes in the phone box & calls a Taxi..no problem..we start laughing & taking loads of anti-biotics i found in my pocket, that i'd forgotten to take for three days..then he (Nige) says..look rob..there's that old pervert from the pub up the road..(Moulsham street)..'I'l show him'.. a which point, Nige pulls out his (what can only be described as) cock, & flashes it at....not the old perv...but a young police-woman, in a Rain coat.. She was laughing as we stumbled through the grave yard...trying to run off.. luckily the taxi pulls up..we get in.. we fuck off ...to the party... thrown by the girl in the previous taxi...
Absolute Power - or - Headaches & Beers
Current mood: stressed
Category: Music
Good morning, fellow Disgracelanders- Computers, don't ya just hate them?Do yourself a favour..kick the shit out of a computer-Enjoy..The other day, (i don't even know what God damned day it is any more!), I decided to plug an electric guitar into the Disgracelands power grid & lay down some riffs- these would then be sent, by the power of Grey-Skull via email, effortlessly & seamlessly to Dan over at Romeosoundworks, (in top friends list, check him out..well spacey!..yayyy), where he will then see if they're any use, & either utilise them for audiage, or chuck 'em in a bin.First, the mp3 converter turned a perfectly good track into a blob of pulsating white noise.So i sorted that..eventually..Then, it turned everything into hyper-manic double speed versions, sort of Pinky & Perky, (or the Chipmunks), on cortisone.So i sorted that....eventuallyThen i managed the process of uploading them all (5 tracks) into several email friendly segments & sent them..Only to get an error message an hour later, telling me i'd wasted half a day & the whole lot had been eaten by a dog.I was mostly drinking beer at 9:00am, to counteract the headache-So, kick the shit out of a computer-Enjoy...In the mean time, for anyone who is still here, I've got an even better reason to kick the shit out of the tv..enjoy..undefined robboland - Shopping while excited
drained
full
impervious
calm
lazy
creative
accomplished
mellow
stressed