Been over-working at the day job but have managed to pen several new tunes – I’ve got about 8-10 that could pass for an acceptable album if recorded properly and lyrics weren’t a problem. Giving myself the goal of August to be in some form of a studio recording the new material.
Here’s an unfinished snippet done entirely on computer.
[audio:string-you-along.mp3]
Imagine a luxury car ad…
I realize its a month away but, YES!! My current favorite band, The Honeydogs are coming through Dallas on their way to SXSW on Thursday, March 15th at The Bone. The Barley House. Please note the venue change. While the sound reinforcement may not be the best for a band of this caliber, I am still excited about the show!
If you liked the jonesthing, you’ll go nuts for these guys. They really take it to the next level. C’mon out and see ’em.
“standing in the middle of the road, the firing squad reloads. Make a circle, shoot to kill. If you don’t hit your mark the traffic will!”
Welp, I’ve been out vacationing in Jamaica for a coupla weeks and I never need to hear Bob Marley again. Seriously though, it was a great trip and got to watch friends get married in front of the Caribbean sea. As you can see to the right, the days of sun and drink had an effect.
Things (Jones) are pretty much dead. I’m not too interested in the band performance deal right now and quite frankly I’m all out of fresh ideas for it. I realize we never played out that much, but I felt stale doing the same 20-30 songs over and over. We never got to practice properly for gigs and learn or relearn new or way-old material. Maybe we’ll reunite at some point. Who knows. Everyone is quite busy with other endeavors. I thought about creating alternate or fill-in lineups but was really too lazy to go thru the re-learning curve again with new folks.
I’m working on a new, over-the-internet project with one Chris Cannon of Gentlemen Losers fame. The idea is to make an album together, writing bits and pieces together, starting one part, finishing others and transferring files back and forth until we agree they are done. Should be a lot of fun.
Hope to see everyone out at the various clubs and dance halls next month! Be sure to go to Amanda/Bocatinta.com‘s last Thursday ‘Listening To’ show on Feb. 1st. Amanda is gonna concentrate on booking her stable of bands and promoting them. She’s done a great job with us for sure!
BTW – This post was lifted from amanda at bocatinta.com –
Averaging an album a year in the past 11 years, the Gentlemen Losers, the band that maybe, maybe plays a live show once every 1.75 years, have FINALLY released a new CD, well, EP, called “Fall Down 7,” and from what I have heard so far, the boys have hit another homerun.
They say no two snowflakes are alike, and I’ve got to tell you, no two Gentlemen Losers CDs are alike, either. This sounds to be quite bright and full of “rawk”, a big contrast from their last effort, “Shuffled,” a study in front porch goodness which has been in heavy rotation at my house and in my car for over a year.
Chris Cannon and Harvey Barham, friends since 5th grade, are the duo of genius that make up Gentlemen Losers and every album seems to feature some of the most talented local musicians we have in Dallas. Where “Shuffled” featured the likes of Eric Neal, “Fall Down 7″ features Chomsky/Shibboleth boy wonders James Driscoll on bass and Matt Kellum on drums.
Want to find out more, get your pens out…
Cannon emailed me a couple of days ago announcing that while “2006 was a motherfucker: some good people died, some screaming babies were born, some fools fell in love, while others had their hearts crushed like rotted fruit, new friendships were made, while old friends drifted apart…oh, but most importantly: Gentlemen Losers recorded yet another CD!!”
Now we can all join them in celebration this Saturday at Lakewood’s Cock & Bull for a CD Release party of sorts, Gentlemen Losers style:
“We’re gonna start drinkin’ around 7pm and we’re not gonna quit until we feel like it.”
High-tail it over there on Saturday and pick up a copy of “Fall Down 7.” You won’t be disappointed.
Listen to a wee snippet of ‘Stand Up 8’ from “Fall Down 7” now!
I just got back from a weekend trip to Minneapolis with Joe. We attended the Honeydogs‘ cd release of ‘Amygdala’ at the famous venue, First Avenue, – where Prince’s Purple Rain concert segments were filmed.
I didn’t think they could possibly top their last release ‘10000 Years’, but of couse I was wrong. It’s a perfect merging of costello-y lyricism and Beatles-ish melodies and changes. I haven’t heard songs so complex and tight since early Jellyfish. Each tune was perfomed with remarkable ease. There were several moments during the show Joe and I looked at each other and shook our heads, only able to utter a synchronized ‘WOW!’
I could list a few standouts on the cd, but I’m still in equal love with every track. I get to the brink of tears on the title track and ‘Belle Époque’. Its easily one of the best releases of the year in my book.
You really need to buy it!
When will The Jones Thing play live again? I’m not sure. We can’t seem to get things together this year. Maybe we’ll try again next year!
I’m having a heck of a time writing new material that is above and beyond what we’ve already done. I refuse to just rehash old ideas. I refuse to force it. I’m also spending a lot of time at my corporate job – lots of CES stuff to do.
Thanks to everyone who has supported the band this year by coming to a show and/or buying our cds. The ton of praise the band has received from each of you has made me feel incredibly loved.
See ya ’round Dada! Beers on me.
– Jeff