guzuru

Hassled.

2005-10-13T02:00:00.000+01:00

NP: Silence. (Except my laptop fan is humming)

I feel very troubled, hassled, and irritated, to the extent I just woke up to post this comment!

GIG GIG GIG

2005-10-10T23:15:00.000+01:00

Well after another couple of months of chilling out, His Girl Friday is playing LIVE again at QMU (Queen Margaret Union) on Thursday, November 3, 2005. Doors open 1930. QMU is on university avenue, right opposite Glasgow University. Take bus no 44 from Hope street or 11 from Bath street. If travelling by tube, jump of at either Kelvinbridge or Hillhead.
This show will be our debut with newest member Catlin or Katy as we call her. She is some wizard kid that studies at a music school or something. She will add vocals and violins.

Joining us along that nite are some really cool bands: Codeen , The Low Miffs and The Way of the Exploding Fist . The venue promises to hold tons and tons of people, and the beer is cheap.

Doors open 1930, show begins 1945. I hope to get as many people as possible to come along for this night.

Other than some more reworked stuff, this night might give us a chance to debut new song "Ugly" and probably dish out stuff from the old E.P. including Branded. I am quite excited about this gig.

As usual invested in tons and tons of gear, which included this brand new hand crafted wind chimes.

Either ways, check out MEW's new album "And the glass handed kites". Awesome album!

Quadropus

2005-09-23T11:14:00.000+01:00

Hmmm, Long time since I wrote something.......lets just call it stress related. Anyways, we finished our second recording session. Not the best of recordings, but in all honesty, it doesnt sound that bad though....
Here is a picture from that setup! A monster it was.... A nice sounding Yamaha Birch Custom Kit, Tama Maple Snare, DW 10X6 Maple Snare, and an assortment of cymbals and percussion!

In other updates, John Sinclair a really really cool photographer shot some pictures of the band just before our gig at Nice n Sleazys. Good pictures!

In other news, am going to watch Mew again tonight in Edinburgh. Its going to be an absolute scram to watch them tonight, but it should be fun nevertheless. It finally feels nice to be relatively debt free here in Scotland.
From my early age, I loved to travel, on any mode of transport. Its no joke I did about 120,000 KM in three and something years in Christ College. With my job now, sometimes I do 300 miles on a good shift. Sometimes I wonder how do I manage to travel so much without getting bored. But I guess its all a part and parcel of life!

The mew concert was total brilliance. Our wait outside provided some good results. We got to meet the band and get autographs and all. Tonight will attempt it again. Though I have to keep in mind the last train back.

Check this band I discovered, again an impulse buy: Estradasphere. I bought their album Quadropus. My jaw dropped by the sheer diversity in this album. From downright gypsy folk stuff to actual carnatic alaap based instrumentation, and yeeah the least expected some bone crushing metal riffs and double bass drumming. Apparently a jam band,they have tons of stuff released on the web in "Lossless" format. Which means a 1 minute song is like 8MB in file size. If you dont mind the download size. Absolute treat. Check out the song Hardball if you find it!

Recording

2005-08-16T19:57:00.000+01:00

The last few days have been very very busy for me. Work, more research, going for gigs, playing at gigs, getting things sorted out and things can be very very hectic.

Good thing is we are going to record "Animation" this friday. I am getting to record this with some of my new gear and an all Maple shell Gretsch Kit! Wow! As long as I dont sound like Charlie Watts am gonna be allrite!

Went and saw Terry Bozzio last week. He is one helluva monster behind that drum kit of his!

Till I am a little free. Chao!

Guzuru

GIG GIG GIG GIG GIG GIG

2005-08-01T21:47:00.000+01:00

Finally, after a long long long rest, His Girl Friday are finally making an apperance at Nice 'n Sleazy's.
As a support act for The Science who are releasing an E.P. through Wickerman Records , we are also playing with quite a cool band called Moment of my Explosion
This gig should be quite cool. "Optimising People Contribution" is our new entry, so is a reworked entry and ending to our sets......to me it's pure freaking out through the set. If things go right, will be the right debut for some of the new gear that I have set my eyes on and almost on the way to buy them.
"White Widow", although not the bands favourite, but my personal favourite has got a new harmony makeover which sounds "Pure Dead Brilliant" (copyright of Prestwick Airport bosses). "Animation" seems to be almost done, unless I chose to use some of my new gear on this song. Hope things go good.

In the meantime, the Mew concert was absolutely fantastic. Will post review and pictures later on!

Take care till then!

Nice n Sleazy

2005-07-24T19:37:00.000+01:00

After a long time, am posting here. Although have been severely stressed out about a lot of things, and tons and tons of work dew, I managed to watch Sigur Ros on 8th of July. An absolute brilliant concert. Backing them was this amazing quartet called Amina. The ambience, lights, animation and other cool stuff made it more than a live gig.

Anyways, H is Girl Friday is finally back on to the live circuit. We are playing at Nice n Sleazys on Sunday, August 7th at 2115. The Science is the other band, and they are launching an E.P. Along with a new song, and some nice work on the old stuff, the set will span old songs like "White Widow" to the reworked "Animation" and the all new "Optimising People Contribution." I seem quite positive about this gig, althrough its on a Sunday. We are working on artwork for the new single and the website. Black and a flame orange might be theme.......from what I see, its gonna be lots of cool stuff.

Mew is playing this thursday at ABC2, Sauchiehall Street. That should be one more brilliant concert.

Need to hurry with my work just now. Catch you guys later.

Guzuru

I am a sunset man I walk away!

2005-07-05T22:40:00.000+01:00

Recently, gave Thermal And A Quarter's first album a spin. Brought me back some awesome memories. The "Fatigue Jokes", the gigs, the food, the beer after gigs, road trips and more.The CD is TAAQ's eponymous debut into Indian rock music, the Bangalore based quartet, formerly trio have churned out some classics in the scene.
In spite of the very OK quality recording and CD-r's as part of the package, the music in there rocks. Starting from Sunset Man through the soothing King Simple to the angst ridden Humpty Dumpty, the album is one trip.
It just shows even for a debut album, it showed a big amount of maturity among its musicians that very few bands managed to show in their song writing. I would love this CD to be released again!
Till then its "I am a sunset man I walk away"!

She's going to change the world??

2005-07-01T13:41:00.000+01:00

As I listen to this classic by Chris Cornell, I often wonder, who will change the world? NO ONE! Who can change my world? No One as yet!
Tommorrow is a special day in many ways. I am reaching closer to quarter century mark. Exactly 365 days for it!

Some achievements: 1)I am still alive and kicking, and happy to be so.
2) I am successfully alive after years of being broke. Yes that is a big one for me. you think people call me "scheme Mama" for nothing eh?
3) I am still single. This is like the biggest one. Havent been emotionally tied to anything, leaving my mind to wander off to anything!
4) I scored for the The Rolling Stones......WOW!
5) Boost is NOT the power of my energy!

Peace?

2005-06-27T14:09:00.000+01:00

The G8 Gleneagles is apparently going to be one of the biggest congregation ever for Make Poverty History rally.

While people be going all out to reduce or remove third world debt, I will be away at work over time making money.

So all you peace protestors come out in hordes and MAKE POVERTY HISTORY. While this campaign is quite debatable with many more compelling issues needing a sense of urgency by the G8, nevertheless, just come and show your support.

You can also make My poverty history by boarding our trains and buying tickets only from me, so I can be at PEACE

Me in touristy Peace!

Why fear when the Beer's here?

2005-06-26T18:05:00.000+01:00

DONT FEAR THE BEER EVER!

Hic! Cheers!

Nuclear Winter.

2005-06-26T17:51:00.000+01:00

My Band HIS GIRL FRIDAY is currently on holiday till July 10. One guitarist is off somewhere in Spain, one more somewhere in the Carribean, bassist has her family and kids to tend to, and am chilling in Glasgow.
We recorded in March, and are still in the process of mixing. Our sound engineer Davy has gotten off the greens. Probably the reason for so much delay!
A three track single should be released sometime soon. Everything sounds good, except for the drums! Am quite disappointed 'cos I had very little time to setup, and took millions of takes before we settled on the final ones.
Also the last couple of months have seen me improve as a drummer, and I have been experimenting with new sounds and stuff.
Hopefully our next recording is much much better. This pic was shot on a mobile. Cant believe it is quite clear for a pic taken on my mobile!

Poemhead or Pothead?

2005-06-26T17:38:00.000+01:00

I used to be an English literature student. So people who know that often ask me, so who is your favourite poet and go on to list Dryden, Milton, Wordsworth, bleh bluh this duh etc etc etc........Thing with me and poetry is funny. Bash me all you want. Poetry is good fun for "poemheads" as I choose to call them. Pic Courtesy: http://news.bbc.co.uk
For me its the pot, not the poem that interests me. I can read all your poetry, probably enjoy it. Ask me for a critical review, "poda thendi" is all I can say!
So all you "poemheads" stick to your poetry and I will stick to whatever suits me.

London Undone Part Deux

2005-06-26T14:41:00.000+01:00

The next day was my biggest surprise. I was going to watch Indian Ocean. A band I had been waiting to watch for the last four years. I just love their sound. http://www.indianoceanmusic.com .
The same afternoon Thumri was due to come. Now, she is known as Itchinginside to folk on the web. A real entertainer she is. She can rant for ages and most times is a good laugh.
Caught some good Odisi, Manipuri and other dance assortments as part of Dilli Haat. Just then, yes I managed to catch my favourite bike: A Silver coloured ROYAL ENFIELD!
Half way through the day, caught some weird american choir/ symphony at Embankment. Not for too long, but it seemed the bunch of teens were very professional with their playing. Now comes the funny thing. Why did an all star's and stripes dressed tart land up? IF you have an answer to the question...........errr you get to keep her!
Meet up with Rahul Ram and Eddie from Edinburgh for a few pints. Nice warm afternoon and a good pint of Carlsberg in Soho. What else do you want? We have a nice debate about how branding music as "fusion" is so wrong. So next time anyone says Indian Ocean is Fusion music I am gonna pop up my finger and say "listen old fella it is contemporary Indian music". 'cos thats what it is.
Managed to pick up Itchinginside from Paddington, and she is cursing her luck at having work Jeans and full arm black shirt. It is about 38 Deg C. Wow!
We reach Trafalgar square, only to realise I had missed my favourite song- Khajuraho.
Indian Ocean play with such ease and class, the crowd didnt flinch through their set.
The bass lines, absolute heavenly acoustic guitar chords complimented by groove moulding percussion was the order of the day. Indian Ocean played through Kandisa, Jhinni, Desert Rain and their new stuff from the outlawed movie Black Friday.
The heat was stifling. I wanted to strip and jump into the fountains of Trafalgar, ignoring their warning about poor water quality. By this time Indian Ocean had recieved Itchinginside's stamp of approval.
Indian Ocean have more than satisfied with their brilliant playing. We head off to catch more banter with Aranyani, Itching and this character called Vanya. Vanya, as the name suggests, is an interesting character. Her emotions are like a forest, always mysterious. A quite little kid, she drops very subtle hints about things. Head to Euston for amazing dinner once again, and more Carlsbergs. Itching and Aranyani have struck the right note. Again, the power of the internet. There will come a time when wars will be fought over the internet. No need of gruelling territorial training. I definitely wanted to watch Indian Oceans set the following day, only to catch Khajuraho.

Tip 1): Fusion Music is CRAP. If you think something is fusion, I can hoot a whistle through a death metal set and brand it fusion. So next time you see something that doesnt fit in your usual genre, be good and call it contemporary music.
tip 2):If it gets too hot, bare your top! he he
tip 3): If it is still hot, go to the next pub and buy yer pints!

London Undone - Part Une

2005-06-25T13:12:00.000+01:00

Now that my back seems to be better after all the battering it recieved, a little about my London trip. I always get this urge to take a quick holiday every couple of months. More than anything it allows me to unwind and reflect on the last few months. My advice to most folk, even if it means a cheap hop to a small town, it is well worth it. Most of all, you always discover something new.
In this case, Audioslave was one of the main reasons that saw me planning a wee trip down south. However since a close pal was coming down, plans enlarged, and suddenly there was this mammoth trip with mammoth budget in front of me. However, I realised that since I had put in so much hard work at earning some money to clear some of my liabilities. (Money can be the root cause of most evils.) a seven day buggar it was.
Caught the overnight Caledonian Sleeper to Euston at a fraction of what it costs. Bless my employers. My heart sank when I a nice wee buggar at 0630 AM informs that the cost of travelling to Reading and back for the whole week was touching a close £90, I was stuck right in the middle of nowhere.
If it wasnt for dear Mr. Jojo, (above), I think the London trip would have been a bummer. Anyways, land up at his nice wee place at Islington have a wee chat, and off he goes to work, off I head to the shower, butterflies happening about.
Was it the potent combination of 6 wines and 2 german beers the last night, or just excitement at meeting someone who has become a real good chat buddy? The power of internet is unlimited. A rather tragic incident put us together on the world wide web. We promised to meet each other at our respective home towns, but, we end up meeting at some place else, many miles away from home, in the middle of nowhere amidst millions and millions of strangers.
We finally meet at Gloucester Road, a nice wee part of town filled with lodgings of all sorts and budgets. After grumbling for ages at this stupid HSBC bank, and then walking around Tesco deciding what to pick up. My choices were Wine, Wine, Beer, Wine and more Wine. Suddenly realised, that would probably be inappropriate for a first meeting, and pick up a nice bunch of *errr Orange coloured roses. Now, that is a first for me. I am not that flowery kind of person.
Within 10 minutes of us meeting up, the mighty internet had caught up really quick. It felt like I had known the lass all my life. Very comfortable conversation, etc......
After implying to her parents that arty farty movies made me snore in the theater, we got let off, which was precisely her plan, executed without too much fuss. This subtle ignorant getaway gives me a coveted title scheme mamaa!
The Lunch involves a comprehensive buffet with millions of dishes - All vegetarian and spiced. WOHOOOO! After stuffing ourselves beyond belief, Ale is the order of the day - English Spitfire. Nice, Brown, smooth, but heavy as a fucking 22 ton truck! we decide we need to park ourselves somewhere and end up behind Buckingham Palace.
After more dilly dallying through the evening, if I were to describe more, hmmm, that would take me ages to type, and would take you silly years to read.
Anyways, this meeting has forged friendship between me and Aranyani (right) beyond our keyboards, mouse and monitors!

Holy roller

2005-06-25T03:10:00.000+01:00

First post. My neck is buggerred, my back is knackered, and I have a swollen chest. First Aiders reckon I am safe and have not broken my rib cage. (the picture suggests how knackered folk could get when something goes wrong)
I was in absolute pain when a dam of 20,000 folk in their "carling beer" induced bachhanalia decided they would push their way forward.
I was trying to hold my breath to avoid going down in this absolute chaos. Bless the folk at [url] http://www.brixton-academy.co.uk [/url] who pulled me and my pal Thumri out of the impending disaster.
I was at AUDIOSLAVE live concert. Right Audioslave concert is my first review. I am back in my base at Scotland for now, still recovering from the aftermath of the gig.
Anyways laddies and lassies welcome to Guzuru's world. You wouldnt find all these intellectually sarcastic bollocks here.
Just words I feel like penning and images that fancy me. Cheerios.

Guzuru