in the closet

let's roll

Five out of six Spider James members teamed up Yesterday for an actual rehearsal session. Our first rehearsal in months. It sure was good fun and we didn't sound as bad as I'd expected. Not by far. We ended our session with Beatnik: the supposed to be Spider James club classic that didn't turn up on the record... Glad it didn't. Yesterdays approach takes the song away from the 4-to-the-floor and on to a whole different level.

what you lookin' at, boy?

almost there

Is this bloody album finally ready for mixing? Almost almost. We have only WJP's backing vocals left to record. Apart from that, we've finished. Mixing is gonna be a hell of job, I reckon, but a job we're looking forward to. We would start as soon as today, but right now we don't have the money. This whole DIY thing is gonna leave us flat broke...

drums, please

wood

Having heard the saxophone and bass clarinet that Boyke's dad and brother have recorded in The Charm I can honestly say they did a pretty terrific job. I've only heard a pre-mixed version that doesn't sound great, but what could and will be, shines through. As I've said to WJP, I think after mixing the song will sound like an exciting combustion of 'bigbeat' and pop drenched in psychedelia. My cup of tea.

back to mine (22)

try again

Yesterday was great. It was all tambourines, handclaps and percussive singing for RJ, Ted and myself. JL added some fine pedalsteel notes to Morninghead and he and Ted also recorded some guitars to take Del Kinky, MKMV and Try Harder to an even higher level. Yes, that does sounds cocky, but we're proud of what we've done. What would be the point of continuing this mission if we weren't? Today is for WJP and the Kooijmans family. All love and good luck to them.

charming

update

As posted a couple of weeks ago, the first week of February will see us returning to The Void for what I may have called 'a final recording weekend'. Truth is I'm not sure if we can pull it off in one and a half day. I was a bit optimistic and wouldn't be suprised if we need one or two days more. We'll see.
We'll gather in Eindhoven Thursday to do some the last guitar parts, pedalsteel, perhaps some bass and loads of percussion. Friday is for The Pet Shop Boykes. WJP will do his backing vocals. This time around Boyke will not only bring his brother with him. I've been told he also has invited his dad. The Kooijmans family will add saxophone and bass clarinet to The Charm. Right.