Evening Strumpets,
So I`ve chalked up a hundred You tube vid`s. It seem`s like yesterday that I was balancing me mobile on it`s side on top of the clock in the living room. I asked and what you`d like to see and you responded, I would have gone for Don`t Stop Moving by S Club with a drum Machine meself as voted by Northern Banjo Boy, or Flight of the Bumblebee dressed as a bumblebee as voted for by Chris.
This is what you asked for, in your sixes.
And here`s how it started.
Till the next one, in about five minutes, learn something new.
Mark.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Longlands in a dirty old town.
Afternoon Strumpets,
This time next week I will have the pleasure of being the MC on the Busking Stage of The Deershed Festival, and the Inaugral Act on the Inaugral Stage at the Inaugral Festival will be these.
Hope you like,
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
This time next week I will have the pleasure of being the MC on the Busking Stage of The Deershed Festival, and the Inaugral Act on the Inaugral Stage at the Inaugral Festival will be these.
Hope you like,
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Century
Evening strumpets
I`m coming up to my hundredth Youtube post. Send a song title, and an instrument on which to play it, and the winner gets a mention. Judge is to be my lovely wife!
Till the next one, keep smiling,
Mark.
I`m coming up to my hundredth Youtube post. Send a song title, and an instrument on which to play it, and the winner gets a mention. Judge is to be my lovely wife!
Till the next one, keep smiling,
Mark.
Englands Lying Hearts.
Evening Strumpets,
It pains me to write this, but I no Longer love the English Football Team. A couple of weeks ago I was so excited. I even learnt Three Lions on the banjo (not easy by the way), to celebrate the beginning of the World Cup.
I sat full of anticipation believing that this year, this year could be the year that the sport I grew to love watching Boro Reserves on cold winter evenings in the early Seventies, surrounded by the fug of hand rolled cigarettes and pipe smoke whilst osmosing the foulest language I would only hear on the occasional "Play For Today" before Dad turned over, that sport could allow me to be a member of a winning team in my lifetime.
And it started so well. A goal, and a good one after six minutes. And then reality bit. I don`t hold with we`re not good enough. We are, pure and simple. I don`t hold with winter breaks. Tevez never had one. I do think there is some ground for looking at redeveloping Youth Football, but I don`t think that`s it either. I also don`t blame Fabio. You simply do not become a shit manager overnight.
I blame the players. I blame the fact that whenever anyone discusses their wages, they use the verb "earn". Stop me if i`m wrong, but they don`t "earn" the wages they are on, they are paid the wages they are on. I blame the fact that they are too busy making adverts, for more money, instead of training. I blame the fact that they employ Agents and PR personnel to make sure they have the correct image, in order to make more money. I blame the fact that they can assault people in nightclubs, ruin lives,even kill families, and still be welcomed back into Clubs, and cheered when they run onto a pitch. I blame the fact that when they`re asked to go for four weeks without any distractions, they can`t. I blame the fact that they spend more time on the front pages than the back. I blame the fact that Someone like Joey Barton, will be playing Premiership football in five weeks time. I blame the fact that in six weeks time, when the football season is well underway, people will forget just how let down we have been by these overpaid, overhyped, and overhere players.
It happened with Middlesbrough FC a few years ago. I realised that I should be the Fan that they deserve. I occasionally go to the odd match, if there`s a free ticket. To paraphrase Bill Shankly. "Football is not a matter of life or death, it`s much more profitable than that"
Here`s a couple of vids of the slide. Hope you like them,
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
It pains me to write this, but I no Longer love the English Football Team. A couple of weeks ago I was so excited. I even learnt Three Lions on the banjo (not easy by the way), to celebrate the beginning of the World Cup.
I sat full of anticipation believing that this year, this year could be the year that the sport I grew to love watching Boro Reserves on cold winter evenings in the early Seventies, surrounded by the fug of hand rolled cigarettes and pipe smoke whilst osmosing the foulest language I would only hear on the occasional "Play For Today" before Dad turned over, that sport could allow me to be a member of a winning team in my lifetime.
And it started so well. A goal, and a good one after six minutes. And then reality bit. I don`t hold with we`re not good enough. We are, pure and simple. I don`t hold with winter breaks. Tevez never had one. I do think there is some ground for looking at redeveloping Youth Football, but I don`t think that`s it either. I also don`t blame Fabio. You simply do not become a shit manager overnight.
I blame the players. I blame the fact that whenever anyone discusses their wages, they use the verb "earn". Stop me if i`m wrong, but they don`t "earn" the wages they are on, they are paid the wages they are on. I blame the fact that they are too busy making adverts, for more money, instead of training. I blame the fact that they employ Agents and PR personnel to make sure they have the correct image, in order to make more money. I blame the fact that they can assault people in nightclubs, ruin lives,even kill families, and still be welcomed back into Clubs, and cheered when they run onto a pitch. I blame the fact that when they`re asked to go for four weeks without any distractions, they can`t. I blame the fact that they spend more time on the front pages than the back. I blame the fact that Someone like Joey Barton, will be playing Premiership football in five weeks time. I blame the fact that in six weeks time, when the football season is well underway, people will forget just how let down we have been by these overpaid, overhyped, and overhere players.
It happened with Middlesbrough FC a few years ago. I realised that I should be the Fan that they deserve. I occasionally go to the odd match, if there`s a free ticket. To paraphrase Bill Shankly. "Football is not a matter of life or death, it`s much more profitable than that"
Here`s a couple of vids of the slide. Hope you like them,
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
Monday, 28 June 2010
I never felt more like singing the blues.
Evening Strumpets.
So I just cannot shake this cold, and now have developed an URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection), England were worse than shite in the World Cup, and had a perfectly good goal disallowed.
What better time to practice some blues playing!
And allow me this one, go on, please.
Not perfect, but a bit more practice and you never know,
Till the next one, learn something new,
Mark.
So I just cannot shake this cold, and now have developed an URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection), England were worse than shite in the World Cup, and had a perfectly good goal disallowed.
What better time to practice some blues playing!
And allow me this one, go on, please.
Not perfect, but a bit more practice and you never know,
Till the next one, learn something new,
Mark.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
My Birthday, and Sids Rag.
Evening Strumpets,
So following Fathers Day, today was me birthday. My family are the best. I`ve got a lot of great presents, and one of them was a slide bottle. I`ve always fancied a go on one of those things, but for one reason or another never got round to it, So I had a little bash, and this is the result. Hope you like.
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
So following Fathers Day, today was me birthday. My family are the best. I`ve got a lot of great presents, and one of them was a slide bottle. I`ve always fancied a go on one of those things, but for one reason or another never got round to it, So I had a little bash, and this is the result. Hope you like.
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
Monday, 21 June 2010
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Father and Son.
Evening Strumpets,
I`ve had the most delightful day with my family. I was woken at the fantastically late time of 10:15 by Louise and the kids with a fine selection of presents and cards, both bought and home made. Then I went to see my dad with the kids.
I`ve written a few things on here about me Dad, and usually from a funny slant, but going to see him this morning I thought I should let you know about the real bloke behind King Kenny.
Born in 1929, the youngest child of Billy and Hannah, Dad was raised in Cannon Street in Middlesbrough. Cannon Street has long since been pulled down, and an Industrial Estate bears its name these days. But back then it was the heart of Middlesbrough. It`s residents at the time were poor, but got by. Dad often tells me of getting Sheeps skulls from the local butchers and looking for any cavities in them so he could suck out the sweet jelly!
Kids were often shoeless and large families would reside in the two up two down buildings, a blanket separating the lads from the lasses in the bedrooms. In the late Thirties His Dad went to see a folk band play in the Princess Alice, and during the set they actually broke out into a fight between the singer and the guitarist. The band disbanded there and then, and Grandad bought the Drummers Kit for a couple of Bob. Dad was a bugger for tapping out rhythm on anything he could get his hands on.
Dad played with the kit often and became pretty good to an amateur level. He remembers going to the Middlesbrough Empire Theatre when he was eleven, and sitting in the alley alongside, with his snare and brushes, playing along to the music coming through the open door at the side.
Following a bit of trouble at home (we`ll say no more about it) Dad had to leave sharpish and decided to go to try his hand in London. He slept rough in Hyde Park for a couple of weeks, and ate from the free biscuits given out at auditions, which he would stuff in his pockets. Eventually, and after Tutelage from Max Abrahms, Dad became a professional Drummer.
He travelled the world, and played with the likes of Tessie O Shea, Tommy Cooper, The Goons, and many others. He played on the Soundtrack of "The 39 Steps" and "Moby Dick". But he never lost his love of Middlesbrough. Following a fire in a theatre (The picture above shows dad with Billy Shakespeare the day after the fire) Dad decided he`d had enough of the music world, and returned home. He got a job with BT, where he worked for over thirty years. He met and fell in love with a Blackpool girl, and between them they had four kids, eight Grandchildren, one Great Grandchild, and an absolute Ball.
After retiring Dad decided to give our Mam what she`d always wanted and moved back to the seaside, only this time in Seaton Carew, just outside Hartlepool. They lived there for a couple of years before Mam noticed a problem when she went to the toilet. Dad didn`t know what to expect, but he travelled every step of the way with her, holding her hand, and in the darkest hours still making her laugh.
Mam died nearly three years ago, and for the first time in an age, Dad was alone. He had the kids, but they couldn`t look after him like Mary. He had his neighbours, but they couldn`t give him a cuddle and a kiss before closing his eyes on a night. The strain showed.
But the old Bugger didn`t let it break him. He continued to go on the Cruises that they had enjoyed, he would go to the local social club on a Wednesday and annoy the others by shouting "house" when he wasn`t even close to winnning. His Kids visit regularly, and speak to him most nights on the phone.
I went to see him this morning, and he looks thin and old. But Christ, he is thin and old. Within twenty minutes of being there he had given the Hal and Grace their ice cream fix, and was showing Grace how to play a paradiddle on the arm of his chair. before I left we were involved in a fifteen minute argument concerning whether a musician could really be classed as a musician if they couldn`t read music.
My Dad, the man who told me "never kick a man when he`s down" and "never give them your real name or address" regarding going out with lasses.
My Dad, the strongest man I`ve ever met, a real life Hero. King Kenny.
Till the next one,
learn something new,
Mark.
I`ve had the most delightful day with my family. I was woken at the fantastically late time of 10:15 by Louise and the kids with a fine selection of presents and cards, both bought and home made. Then I went to see my dad with the kids.
I`ve written a few things on here about me Dad, and usually from a funny slant, but going to see him this morning I thought I should let you know about the real bloke behind King Kenny.
Born in 1929, the youngest child of Billy and Hannah, Dad was raised in Cannon Street in Middlesbrough. Cannon Street has long since been pulled down, and an Industrial Estate bears its name these days. But back then it was the heart of Middlesbrough. It`s residents at the time were poor, but got by. Dad often tells me of getting Sheeps skulls from the local butchers and looking for any cavities in them so he could suck out the sweet jelly!
Kids were often shoeless and large families would reside in the two up two down buildings, a blanket separating the lads from the lasses in the bedrooms. In the late Thirties His Dad went to see a folk band play in the Princess Alice, and during the set they actually broke out into a fight between the singer and the guitarist. The band disbanded there and then, and Grandad bought the Drummers Kit for a couple of Bob. Dad was a bugger for tapping out rhythm on anything he could get his hands on.
Dad played with the kit often and became pretty good to an amateur level. He remembers going to the Middlesbrough Empire Theatre when he was eleven, and sitting in the alley alongside, with his snare and brushes, playing along to the music coming through the open door at the side.
Following a bit of trouble at home (we`ll say no more about it) Dad had to leave sharpish and decided to go to try his hand in London. He slept rough in Hyde Park for a couple of weeks, and ate from the free biscuits given out at auditions, which he would stuff in his pockets. Eventually, and after Tutelage from Max Abrahms, Dad became a professional Drummer.
He travelled the world, and played with the likes of Tessie O Shea, Tommy Cooper, The Goons, and many others. He played on the Soundtrack of "The 39 Steps" and "Moby Dick". But he never lost his love of Middlesbrough. Following a fire in a theatre (The picture above shows dad with Billy Shakespeare the day after the fire) Dad decided he`d had enough of the music world, and returned home. He got a job with BT, where he worked for over thirty years. He met and fell in love with a Blackpool girl, and between them they had four kids, eight Grandchildren, one Great Grandchild, and an absolute Ball.
After retiring Dad decided to give our Mam what she`d always wanted and moved back to the seaside, only this time in Seaton Carew, just outside Hartlepool. They lived there for a couple of years before Mam noticed a problem when she went to the toilet. Dad didn`t know what to expect, but he travelled every step of the way with her, holding her hand, and in the darkest hours still making her laugh.
Mam died nearly three years ago, and for the first time in an age, Dad was alone. He had the kids, but they couldn`t look after him like Mary. He had his neighbours, but they couldn`t give him a cuddle and a kiss before closing his eyes on a night. The strain showed.
But the old Bugger didn`t let it break him. He continued to go on the Cruises that they had enjoyed, he would go to the local social club on a Wednesday and annoy the others by shouting "house" when he wasn`t even close to winnning. His Kids visit regularly, and speak to him most nights on the phone.
I went to see him this morning, and he looks thin and old. But Christ, he is thin and old. Within twenty minutes of being there he had given the Hal and Grace their ice cream fix, and was showing Grace how to play a paradiddle on the arm of his chair. before I left we were involved in a fifteen minute argument concerning whether a musician could really be classed as a musician if they couldn`t read music.
My Dad, the man who told me "never kick a man when he`s down" and "never give them your real name or address" regarding going out with lasses.
My Dad, the strongest man I`ve ever met, a real life Hero. King Kenny.
Till the next one,
learn something new,
Mark.
Monday, 14 June 2010
FBInterviews
Evening strumpets,
As most of you know I`m a bugger for Facebook. One of the lovely things about FB (as i like to call it) is the day after a gig, you get loads of friend requests. Vice Versa having seen a gig you can become friends with the performers.
The Gig at the Mandale previously posted was a point in case. The act going on before me were a hip hop duo from Boro. They absolutely stole the day. Last Sunday they played at a local pub with backing from a mash up of local rock bands. Unfortunately due to commitments I missed it, but by all accounts it was brilliant
So I thought, would they be up for an interview. Leddie very kindly allowed me to interview her (via Facebook message thingy). Here`s what happened.
So to start at the beginning, who or what is Leddie and Smoggy?
Leddie and Smoggy is a Female/male Uk Hip Hop Duo From Middlesbrough, UK.
GNS: How did you`s get together?
L&S: We met in college around 5 years ago, back when there was a group of us together. We used to write battle/punch line rhymes and gig together, Until certain situations happened and people had to move away or leave the group. Eventually there was 3/4 of us left (Including me and Smoggy). After a few more disputes in the group, Me and smoggy decided to start writing material together, and now here we are.
GNS: I have to be honest until I saw you live, I was a hip hop virgin, but five minutes into your set I thought to meself "these are class".
What influences you, music and lyric wise?
L&S: Thanks! ...Erm, im not sure really ...Music wise, we listen to a lot of different artists from a lot of different genre's. Smoggy grew up listening to artists like Tracey Chapman and Janis Joplin and I was brought up around a lot of northern soul and artists like Barry White, Nina Simone, Etta James, and of course, Michael Jackson. So music wise its varied. Lyric wise however, Theres a few ways we decided upon the topics of our tunes. One of us usually has an idea which we then talk about together and develop more to get a concrete concept for the track, Or one of us will start a verse randomly on a topic and then the other one of us starts around the same idea's. Occasionally, I will have produced an Instrumental which a few idea's flow from as well. We try to stay away from the 'usual' topics 'rappers' constantly go on about, Like how great they think they are, or how much meaningless material possessions they own.
GNS: That definitely explains the eclectic sound of your material. I`ve spoken to a friend who`s a professional singer and she say`s that the lung capacity for "rapping" (if that`s the correct term, I am an old man) when done to your standard, is similar to that of an opera singer. How did you realise you could do it, and how do you practise? By which I mean are there any do`s and dont`s for anyone interested in starting up?
L&S: Really?? ...Thats crazy! ...Well, I didnt really realise I could do it, And I Still dont think I can, I just think people are nice to me about it, lol. To be honest, I just kind of started and couldnt stop and I dont particularly want to either. We either practice at home, or together in one of our houses (nothing glamourous!) ...And we dont really practice that much either. If we do it to often, because what we have now is an old set, It becomes stale and we dont enjoy it as much. The longest practice we did was with a band were hopefully going to do more shows, because we enjoyed it so much, which includes The Murder Mile, Joe (Guitarist) from Fallen Phoenix and Gemma (Bassist) From Snide Remarks, nd we practiced for 6 hours. We had never practiced that long before ever. I have to say, I slightly suffered the next day. Alot of the time, me and smoggy pick up each others over dubs quite quickly, so hopefully we pull it off !
GNS: People aren`t being nice, you have a real talent. The (and I hope I`m getting this right) "Leddie and Smoggy" track where you use the letters of your names for each word is up there.
So, playing live, I`ve had the honour of following you on a couple of times and both times you have had a reallty good reaction. Has there been a time when you`ve thought "nailed it"? Are there any stand out gigs, I should imagine Sunday`s was pretty special.
L&S: Thanks, it means alot :) ... Yeah thats right, we recorded that track for a lads mixtape which he never did anything with, And its gonna be on the Album, Although there is a badly recorded version on the internet ! ....Thanks, erm there is some where we think "nailed it" but i try to base that on how i felt throughout the performance as opposed to the crowd reaction, because up here the 'Hip Hop' scene is really pop orientated (Youve heard the likes of chipmunk, tinchy stryder etc...) and so sometimes the gigs you think will go well dont, and the ones you think wont, end up turning out really good and go down well. The gig which stands out the most is one we were invited to perform at, by another conscious UK Hip Hop artist named Lowkey (Check him out and The Peoples Army) He he invited us to his supergroup's (Mongrel - Jon Mcclure, Andy Nicholson, Drew McConnell) show at the Arena and people were going nuts infront of the stage. We do enjoy 99% of our shows, but we have had the odd one that doesnt really go down to well, and becomes a nightmare. I suppose thats to be expected within this Genre of music because people think UK Hip Hop is now Dizzee Rascal and James Cordon. I do like those gigs where we convert a few people, and maybe have them looking up, or checking out links we post about other artists on things like facebook and twitter, which is definitely a good thing!...Sundays gig was amazing. The band are all talented in some way or another, whether its singing, guitar, bass, drums, and for them to learn, practice and perform in just under 3 days was surprising to us both. And we fully appreciate them for taking their time out to do that. It was something different for all of us, and we all enjoyed it a lot.
GNS: I know for a fact that Alex was really looking forward to it. I`ve liked the attitude that "Chavs" and "indie freaks" (my era`s name for them) basically have more in common than different. I`ve downloaded the mix CD and really like it, (any song with "colonic irrigation" is fine by me) what next?
L&S: Yeah, I felt cheeky asking at such short notice, but it all worked really well and they had some nice ideas for certain tracks, and specific sections of the tunes we performed, we hope to work with them again soon, and hopefully get a few original tracks done with them. Yeah, definitely, its funny, Mainly because around 3/4 years ago, if you wore a flat peaked cap, you were a 'Wigga/er" (The spelling and pronounciation depends on who is typing, i guess) but now, I see alot of indie.emo kids wearing them ...Along with High Top footwear and hoodies ...Ive never really been one to fit in anywhere like that, If i had to fit in anywhere though, Id definitely be labelled a chav because of the 'brands' i wear. Personally, I dont get why they're against each other all that much. I mean, none of them want to be stereotyped, or labelled...Yet they constantly try hard to be excepted, and conceptually fit in with a specific bunch of people in order to not be outcasted. But then dont like the fact that they can be labelled or branded ..."Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else." Margaret Mead.
GNS: "Yes we are all Individual" Monty Python.
L&S: Yeah, Definitely !!
GNS: So thanks for taking the time to chat, final question, Can England win the World Cup? More importantly where can people find your stuff and see you live in the future?
L&S: No problem, thanks alot for asking! ...Im going to put faith in England and say Yes, we can. (I know absolutely nothing about football, what so ever, so dont take my opinion as an insider tip off, lol) ... At the moment, we dont have any shows set in stone, but if you befriend/follow us on any of the accounts shown below, we will let you know when, and where ...
People can find our stuff at ...
www.LeddieAndSmoggy.Bandcamp.Com
www.youtube.com/LeddieAndSmoggy
www.Myspace.com/LeddieAndSmoggy (Under Construction)
And you can Keep up with us at ...
www.Facebook.com/LeddieAndSmoggy
www.Twitter.Com/LeddieAndSmoggy
And lastly, if you want to book us for a show, either contact one of the accounts previously mentioned, or email LeddieAndSmoggyBookings@Hotmail.Co.Uk, and We will get back to you as soon as possible! ...
Thanks,
Leddie x.
So there you have it, genuine local talent. I`m going to do a few more of these, so until the next one,
Learn something new,
Mark.
As most of you know I`m a bugger for Facebook. One of the lovely things about FB (as i like to call it) is the day after a gig, you get loads of friend requests. Vice Versa having seen a gig you can become friends with the performers.
The Gig at the Mandale previously posted was a point in case. The act going on before me were a hip hop duo from Boro. They absolutely stole the day. Last Sunday they played at a local pub with backing from a mash up of local rock bands. Unfortunately due to commitments I missed it, but by all accounts it was brilliant
So I thought, would they be up for an interview. Leddie very kindly allowed me to interview her (via Facebook message thingy). Here`s what happened.
So to start at the beginning, who or what is Leddie and Smoggy?
Leddie and Smoggy is a Female/male Uk Hip Hop Duo From Middlesbrough, UK.
GNS: How did you`s get together?
L&S: We met in college around 5 years ago, back when there was a group of us together. We used to write battle/punch line rhymes and gig together, Until certain situations happened and people had to move away or leave the group. Eventually there was 3/4 of us left (Including me and Smoggy). After a few more disputes in the group, Me and smoggy decided to start writing material together, and now here we are.
GNS: I have to be honest until I saw you live, I was a hip hop virgin, but five minutes into your set I thought to meself "these are class".
What influences you, music and lyric wise?
L&S: Thanks! ...Erm, im not sure really ...Music wise, we listen to a lot of different artists from a lot of different genre's. Smoggy grew up listening to artists like Tracey Chapman and Janis Joplin and I was brought up around a lot of northern soul and artists like Barry White, Nina Simone, Etta James, and of course, Michael Jackson. So music wise its varied. Lyric wise however, Theres a few ways we decided upon the topics of our tunes. One of us usually has an idea which we then talk about together and develop more to get a concrete concept for the track, Or one of us will start a verse randomly on a topic and then the other one of us starts around the same idea's. Occasionally, I will have produced an Instrumental which a few idea's flow from as well. We try to stay away from the 'usual' topics 'rappers' constantly go on about, Like how great they think they are, or how much meaningless material possessions they own.
GNS: That definitely explains the eclectic sound of your material. I`ve spoken to a friend who`s a professional singer and she say`s that the lung capacity for "rapping" (if that`s the correct term, I am an old man) when done to your standard, is similar to that of an opera singer. How did you realise you could do it, and how do you practise? By which I mean are there any do`s and dont`s for anyone interested in starting up?
L&S: Really?? ...Thats crazy! ...Well, I didnt really realise I could do it, And I Still dont think I can, I just think people are nice to me about it, lol. To be honest, I just kind of started and couldnt stop and I dont particularly want to either. We either practice at home, or together in one of our houses (nothing glamourous!) ...And we dont really practice that much either. If we do it to often, because what we have now is an old set, It becomes stale and we dont enjoy it as much. The longest practice we did was with a band were hopefully going to do more shows, because we enjoyed it so much, which includes The Murder Mile, Joe (Guitarist) from Fallen Phoenix and Gemma (Bassist) From Snide Remarks, nd we practiced for 6 hours. We had never practiced that long before ever. I have to say, I slightly suffered the next day. Alot of the time, me and smoggy pick up each others over dubs quite quickly, so hopefully we pull it off !
GNS: People aren`t being nice, you have a real talent. The (and I hope I`m getting this right) "Leddie and Smoggy" track where you use the letters of your names for each word is up there.
So, playing live, I`ve had the honour of following you on a couple of times and both times you have had a reallty good reaction. Has there been a time when you`ve thought "nailed it"? Are there any stand out gigs, I should imagine Sunday`s was pretty special.
L&S: Thanks, it means alot :) ... Yeah thats right, we recorded that track for a lads mixtape which he never did anything with, And its gonna be on the Album, Although there is a badly recorded version on the internet ! ....Thanks, erm there is some where we think "nailed it" but i try to base that on how i felt throughout the performance as opposed to the crowd reaction, because up here the 'Hip Hop' scene is really pop orientated (Youve heard the likes of chipmunk, tinchy stryder etc...) and so sometimes the gigs you think will go well dont, and the ones you think wont, end up turning out really good and go down well. The gig which stands out the most is one we were invited to perform at, by another conscious UK Hip Hop artist named Lowkey (Check him out and The Peoples Army) He he invited us to his supergroup's (Mongrel - Jon Mcclure, Andy Nicholson, Drew McConnell) show at the Arena and people were going nuts infront of the stage. We do enjoy 99% of our shows, but we have had the odd one that doesnt really go down to well, and becomes a nightmare. I suppose thats to be expected within this Genre of music because people think UK Hip Hop is now Dizzee Rascal and James Cordon. I do like those gigs where we convert a few people, and maybe have them looking up, or checking out links we post about other artists on things like facebook and twitter, which is definitely a good thing!...Sundays gig was amazing. The band are all talented in some way or another, whether its singing, guitar, bass, drums, and for them to learn, practice and perform in just under 3 days was surprising to us both. And we fully appreciate them for taking their time out to do that. It was something different for all of us, and we all enjoyed it a lot.
GNS: I know for a fact that Alex was really looking forward to it. I`ve liked the attitude that "Chavs" and "indie freaks" (my era`s name for them) basically have more in common than different. I`ve downloaded the mix CD and really like it, (any song with "colonic irrigation" is fine by me) what next?
L&S: Yeah, I felt cheeky asking at such short notice, but it all worked really well and they had some nice ideas for certain tracks, and specific sections of the tunes we performed, we hope to work with them again soon, and hopefully get a few original tracks done with them. Yeah, definitely, its funny, Mainly because around 3/4 years ago, if you wore a flat peaked cap, you were a 'Wigga/er" (The spelling and pronounciation depends on who is typing, i guess) but now, I see alot of indie.emo kids wearing them ...Along with High Top footwear and hoodies ...Ive never really been one to fit in anywhere like that, If i had to fit in anywhere though, Id definitely be labelled a chav because of the 'brands' i wear. Personally, I dont get why they're against each other all that much. I mean, none of them want to be stereotyped, or labelled...Yet they constantly try hard to be excepted, and conceptually fit in with a specific bunch of people in order to not be outcasted. But then dont like the fact that they can be labelled or branded ..."Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else." Margaret Mead.
GNS: "Yes we are all Individual" Monty Python.
L&S: Yeah, Definitely !!
GNS: So thanks for taking the time to chat, final question, Can England win the World Cup? More importantly where can people find your stuff and see you live in the future?
L&S: No problem, thanks alot for asking! ...Im going to put faith in England and say Yes, we can. (I know absolutely nothing about football, what so ever, so dont take my opinion as an insider tip off, lol) ... At the moment, we dont have any shows set in stone, but if you befriend/follow us on any of the accounts shown below, we will let you know when, and where ...
People can find our stuff at ...
www.LeddieAndSmoggy.Bandcamp.Com
www.youtube.com/LeddieAndSmoggy
www.Myspace.com/LeddieAndSmoggy (Under Construction)
And you can Keep up with us at ...
www.Facebook.com/LeddieAndSmoggy
www.Twitter.Com/LeddieAndSmoggy
And lastly, if you want to book us for a show, either contact one of the accounts previously mentioned, or email LeddieAndSmoggyBookings@Hotmail.Co.Uk, and We will get back to you as soon as possible! ...
Thanks,
Leddie x.
So there you have it, genuine local talent. I`m going to do a few more of these, so until the next one,
Learn something new,
Mark.
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