Lazy Bear Records

Just finished this sketchy logo for the ever-expanding empire that is Lazy Bear Records. The bear likes it, I like it. Check them out here.

Moments

Been pretty busy on the recording front these past few weeks with Keith and Georgia. We've set up a semi-permanent studio in Georgia's kitchen - handy for the fridge and toaster. Most sessions involve a lot of laughs and a fair amount of beer. We're aiming to produce an ep of four songs we've been paying live for a while, but we tend to get side-tracked in new directions and have written at least one new song plus a good selection of bits and bobs.

The first finished result is the definitive version of Moments, and it's now playing on the jukebox above and also available on our MySpace site here: www.myspace.com/copinguk

We're all pretty please with it. There are also a couple of remixes on the site by Keith and myself, which are fun. We're working on mixes for three more songs and hope to have them online really soon.

Awww...

I'm not usually one for the false commerciality of made up celebrations, but I was tickled by the card I got on Sunday from Ruby (7 1/2 months old).

Stephanie had secretly taken this picture of her and made a card entitled 2008AD.


Yep, that's my daughter, and, yep, that IS my priceless, first edition, mint condition Johnny Alpha action figure (no, not a doll) in her mouth. Never mind the choking hazard it really made my day. Thanks hon x

Rattus Norvegicus

Strolling along the boulevards of Plumstead, minding my own business and taking my baby daughter for a sleep, I paused by some wasteland to admire the view (I could almost see the back of our house).

I lowered my gaze and made a mental tut noise at the various bits of old junk, rubbish and, oddly, slices of white bread that had been left strewn around this informal wildlife reserve.

Then I saw the rat. Quite a big one, shouldering its way through the undergrowth. It stopped and caught me in its beady gaze before we both ambled off on our own separate ways.

Unashamed music plugs

Anyone out there interested in hearing some brand new soulful jazz should get themselves down to Straight Up Records inmmediately! Check out the new release from Keith Caden: "Hard to categorise, at times abstract at times danceable...but always full of soul!".

Keith is one third of Coping, a band I'm in with his sister Georgia. We're busy working on songs for a new EP and it's getting exciting.

While you're mooching about, have a look at Lazy Bear Records too. You won't regret it.

Pot Noodle

Just say no. 'Tis the snack of Satan.

New bike (well, almost)

Just got my motorbike back from the menders. After the little prang I had with the twit who u-turned without looking, plus the damage cause by it blowing over in the freak winds of February, the poor thing was looking a bit tatty and had more things dangling from it that Dan Dangler, winner of the All England Dangling Championships for the past forty years.

Not any more though. Looks like a new bike. Even the mileage has been reset (new speedo). True to form, another car driving numpty tried to smear me across the road as they did a left turn with no signals. Luckily my wits hadn't deserted me and I managed to avoid another crash. I don't know if it's just me but there seem to be more idiots on the road these days - AND THEY ARE ALL TRYING TO KILL ME!!!!

That said, another prize specimen hove into view on foot the other day in sunny Woolwich. I was saying goodbye to my lunchtime companion (fresh from a slap up veggie burger courtesy of Star Express) and unlocking the bike when this slope-browed individual speculated aloud that he ought to knock it over as the bike is of German origin. He left us (jaws sagging) with the stunning riposte to "Buy British".

Lovely.....