The Chapman Zone

Not another painfully long review of the last gig I went to, but an announcement.

Frost* are playing the Peel, Kingston-Upon-Thames on the 20th December (that’s a Saturday people, so no excuses!), and tickets are only £10 advance!!!!

Who are you to resist?!?!?!?!?!?

Let me know if you want to come, and I will get tickets…..

….THIS is why I don’t post very often! When I get started on a post, I find it difficult to stop, and it takes over an hour to finish it!!!

Brevity is not in my vocabulary…….

Aaahhh…..back from camp. Another good one, lovely weather to begin with, then it decided to change its mind every five minutes - sun, spitting, sun, cloud, wind, sun, rain, etc, etc. All the way through the second half of the week. Didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits though, and a good time was had by all. It was nearly ruined (for the leaders) on Friday evening, but that’s not a story for a public forum….nothing untoward, just a clash of personalities.

Anyway, I wanted to start catching up this blog on the events of my life, as I have been very lax for the past….well, the past two years really, from about two months after starting it…

So on July 3rd, Myself, Mark, John, Kyle, Limpet, Rob (not brother Rob, friend Rob), Troggie and Helen (that’s Kyle’s girlfriend for those not in the know) went to see Spocks Beard at the Islington Academy, London. I have been looking forward to seeing the Beard again ever since the last gig last year, so as soon as tickets went on sale, I snapped eight up. Tom was going to go, but he ended up going to Silverstone to see the Grand Prix.

In the torturous months waiting for the gig, I kept on looking at the site, and one day discovered that the Beard had a support act this year (they did not last time out). My first reaction to this was “Nooooooooooooo!!!! this means less Beard time on stage!!!”…..oh, what little did I know….

After I got over this disappointment, I thought I’d better go have a look to see who the support act were. ‘Frost*’ was all I knew, so I had a look around, and someone posted a link to their site on the Beard Forum. On their site is a link to their Myspace page. Mark was down at the time, so I gave him a shout to come up and have a listen with me.

As I am waiting for Mark to come up, I have a read of the bumph on the page. My fears were increased at the mention that the main songwriter, Jem Godfrey, wrote tunes for the likes of Blue and Atomic Kitten………oh god……..

When he finally finished his cigarette, I clicked on the first track - it was called ‘Hyperventilate’……

It was one of those moments, when we both realised that we were about to embark on a truly wonderful musical journey. It was a simple piano line repeated and built upon, layer after layer, till the whole band kicked in.

We both sat, staring awestruck at the screen for a few seconds, then slowly (and perfectly in sync) turned to look at each other, then simultaneously smiled in acknowledgement - we had found something great. Truly great.

That very minute, I had jumped on Amazon and bought a copy of the album ‘Milliontown’, and got hold of it by ‘other means’, as I couldn’t wait for the postal service to deliver it at their ever-increasing leisure. Once it had finished ‘arriving’, my brother and I went on one of our now ritual car drives to sample the album at a respectably loud level (my dad, bless him, has no tolerance for music played at appropriately antisocial levels) - it was an awesome experience….what an album. That night I ordered Mr Kyle to come round and have a listen, as he is also a disciple of the church of Prog. He did the very next day, and we repeated the ritual to the same effect - Mr Kyle was speechless.

This was three months ago now, and the album has blessed my ears nearly every single day since then. I cannot get enough of it. One of the great things about Prog Rock is that it requires mutliple listens to fully appreciate it, since there is so much going on, so many layers to discover. This album is a masterpiece - really synthesiser heavy (Jem, by his own admission is a total keyboard geek), but with great playing from all the members of the band. As with all great prog, it encompasses several different time signatures (the first track alone contains passages in 7/8, 8/8, 10/8….and that’s just from memory - there are probably more), but whereas much prog seems to use it as a gimmick, and forces the music into the time signature with often jarring results, Jem seems to have a real understanding of the musicality of these different beats.

I could go on and on about the orgasmic beauty of this album, but you really have to listen to it to appreciate it - my words cannot do it justice.

If you have listened to the album, and want more, I heartily recommend visiting the Frost site (Click Here) - there is a blog (one of the finest and funniest blogs I have ever read), a forum that is jam packed with free downloads of demos, alternative versions, etc etc (look in the ‘Toys’ category) and links to the Myspace and Youtube pages. The You tube stuff is particularly recommended, as Jem has taken video records of the creation of this and the new album, as well as tour footage - he’s a truly funny guy, and the videos are very entertaining.

Planet Frost - the Youtube category.

Definitely worth a visit. But back to the gig. By the time we went, I was probably more looking forawrd to seeing Frost* than the Beard, if the truth be known.

But the gig itself - after an uneventful drive up there (Limpet and Rob fell asleep), we hopped a tube from Richmond up to Islington (with one change), with Troggie keeping us amused with random Shakespearean poetry and other strangeness (my sides were hurting by the time we got off the tube). I had insisted on getting there stupidly early so we could be at the front of the queue, so once we got to Islington we had time for meal and a drink or two. That is, if we could find the venue. The Academy is tucked into a recess of the main street, so we actually managed to walk past it for about half a mile before we decided the dozy cow in Jesops had led us astray. Once we found the place, we popped into the local Wetherspoons (or some other such souless fast drink establishment - ‘McPubs’ I like to call them) for a drink and much mirth and merriment.

Doors opened at seven, so I insisted on getting in the queue at six, and we were only about twenty people from the front, so that worked out ok. The hour went really quickly (for me anyway), mainly because Troggie developed a serious case of ‘Random Newsreader Tourettes’ for the duration (you’ll have to ask him to demonstrate).

Our earliness paid off, because we were able to secure front row standing positions to stage right (and thats even with Mark poncing around putting his jacket in the cloakroom!), and we settled in to await the magic. About two seconds after settling in my position, I realised that the keyboard tech messing about with Jems Synth was not a keyboard tech at all, but the man Jem himself! I got a smile and wave when I screamed his name at him!

Is it just me, or do other people get a buzz when someone famous on stage makes eye contact with them? About five minutes later, Jem popped his head out from backstage and pointed a video camera at us…….it is here that I stop my Frost tale, and hand you over to one of the aforementioned Frost* Reports. This is the gig we went to - look for us at about 3:50 and again (more clearly) at about 5:50……

Now, if I’m to be brutally honest, I would say that the sound wasn’t great for the band, but as it turned out, the sound engineer had not worked with them before, and they had a limited amount of time to set up. They were still brilliant though, and I will definitely be going to see them again if at all humanly possible. They have another gig in London in December apparently - I may have to do some investigating…..

Spocks Beard on the other hand, sounded as awesome as they did last time round - pure sonic perfection. And their set was wonderful too. I had gotten wind of their set list on the forum a few days before (I tried not to look, but I couldn’t help myself). I was gutted not to see ‘At The End Of The Day’ on there (my all time favourite song by anybody, ever), but they did play ‘She Is Everything’, and I was nearly in tears by the end of the guitar solo, and even closer to tears by the time they had reached the climax of ‘The Great Nothing’ (twenty seven minutes long! The whole song, not the climax…). It was superb.

Afterward, I blew a large wad at the concession stand, buying a Frost* T-shirt, a Spock’s Beard T-shirt, their live DVD and the Frost* Tour CD (containing sneak previews of their new album, as well as some excellent exclusive videos), and while I’m trying to wrestle it all into a carrier bag, I think to glance over my shoulder…and there’s Alan Morse standing at the top of the stairs!!! Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alan plays guitar for Spocks Beard by the way, and f*ck me but can he play!!! The guy is one of my idols. So I go running up the stairs, thinking to myself “for christ’s sake, think of something interesting to say!”. In the end, I just shook his magic hands, thanked him for a great gig, and asked him when they are going to start on any new material. I think I didn’t make a total cock of myself at least.

Oooo! Ooooo! and I got my photograph taken with him!

Coooooooooooooool!!!

And, to cap it all, when I got to the tube station, I fished around in my bag to have a look at the stuff I bought, and found out that the guy had somehow given me two extra Spocks Beard T-shirts by mistake! I don’t like to steal, but I wasn’t about to walk all the way back, and possibly miss my train, so I gave one each to Mr Kyle and Rob (they would not have fit Troggie and John, Limpet already bought one, Helen was already wearing my Frost8 T-shirt, and Mark had already left by this time (he missed Alan - gutted!). So that was nice bonus. Plus we had been tipped off about a car park in Richmond that was less than quarter the price of the one we usually use….AND the cars were still there (and in one piece) when we got back.

ANNNNNND…..while we were queuing for the gig, some guy was handing out free CDs of a band called ‘Magenta’, and listeing to it on the way home…..they are seriously good too!!!!!!

Altogether a fantastic night!

I was chatting to our big brother the other day. Whose actually shorter than me but to me he’ll always be big. Music always played a big part in my life, I didn’t really realise how much until….well maybe now. That it was important way back then. But it clearly was, because I have fond memories of music that I never thought would matter. When my dad got the hump because I wouldn’t eat my peas at 5 I recall, he used to play music quite a lot. And continued to do so. Though I think his taste mellowed as time went on. At the time of the pea revolt he used to listen to Greig. That very well known piano concerto. In A minor. An easy key, for your average musician. But a complicated piece by all accounts if you listen. Back then, I had no choice but to hear it. I had no idea what it was about and felt little when I heard it. But it was there. When I was small. Whether he thought it might relax me enough to swallow my peas without vomiting I don’t know. If thats the case it didn’t work. I still vomit on frozen garden peas to this very day. Then there was this big gap where I have no recollection of hearing it at all. Then he listened to a geezer called George Shearing. Which again meant nothing to me. And Dave Brubeck…Jazz…..Nice….Again, it didn’t have any impact at all in my life. Nor improve my liking for peas. I thought. I have no idea when it appeared but there was this album with a story read by Danny Kaye called Tubby The Tuba. It was a story about…a Tuba. Now the only reason I now recall this is because of that discussion with Rob. The vague recollection is, and when Rob reminded me it all came flooding back, there was this orchestra tuning up. Quite badly. Enough to put you off orchestras forever in fact. Then a story involving a tuba, various musical instruments and a frog. Backed by an orchestral soundtrack. This sounds quite surreal I know, but there weren’t so many drugs around then…at least kids didn’t generally use them like they do today…..Surprisingly though it seems they still use Tuba’s. I vaguely know a young woman who actually plays the tuba. I was amazed when I found out. And she’s actually bloody good. And passionate about it too. She must have started pretty young. I always thought tuba players were well, tubby. Not so. Anyway, it seems that this album, record, 12″ vinyl thing was bought for our benefit. That is, for Rob and I. Dave weren’t around then. You don’t appreciate these things when your small. Now I do. So, I downloaded it following the conversation out of curiosity. If I knew where to buy it I would. But it wasn’t in HMV. Anyway, I listened to it……and remembered every little note and nuance as if it were yesterday. And then recalled it was accompanied by the stories of Hans Christian Andersen. And Danny Kaye doing impressions of a duck all came flooding back. There’s a man with a place in history…The rest? Well, I became a muso. What does that tell ya?

Holy crap!!!

I’m not a comic book officionado by any means, but I was blown away by this graphic novel, and it is regarded as the greatest of all time. Plus, Zack Snyder did such an amazing job with Dawn of the Dead and 300, that this promises to be something else…..

Problem is, it ain’t out till June 2009!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaarghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Now officially top of my cinema list……..even tops The Dark Knight, but I don’t have to wait too long to see that one!

....on the distasteful (literally) topic of burping and bringing up a small amount of substance (I just burped and tasted sick in my mouth and all that, or, as I like to call it, 'vurping'), I found a new level of nastiness.

It's not pleasant at the best of times, I know. But doing it after munching a whole packet of Skittle Crazy Sours in the space of two minutes......maaaaan......grooooooooooooosssssss!!!

Well, first post without justifying my presence here. I worked my butt off at work yesterday. And today. And will tomorrow and Sunday. I’ll cut back Monday for a Tuesday conference…..I’m not supposed to talk about my work on here, I’m told by the powers that be. They frown upon social networking and block access to it……From my perspective I believe it could be a useful tool in what I do but will they listen? Nope. So thats the extent of my talk of work. Except to say that those who live in the Southwest region I’m on episode six of the documentary “Customs UK” on ITV in about four weeks time. I’m the tit under the spotlight in the suit and tie. I’ve not seen it yet and the thought of seeing myself interviewed on TV makes me cringe. I was told they’d let me see it before it was aired. It never happened….If it’s bad then….Oh well. I had little choice since my boss coersed me into it.  

So….”Once.” I got home from yesterdays gruelling day at work, I posted my intro on here then watched a movie that I’d received by post a couple of days ago. It’s a budget movie and to be honest if you read the reviews it’s a bit on the sentimental side. Was I pleasantly surprised, or what? Well not what, I WAS pleasantly surprised. Its called ”Once”. And its about a busker in Dublin who befriends a Czech bird and then goes on to create beautiful music with her after very generously repairing her vacuum cleaner for her. I can relate to it a bit but that’s another complicated story. I won’t give away the plot. It involves an Irish singer songwriter called Glen Hansard who I’d never heard of before and a Czech singer songwriter called Marketa Irglova. None had ever acted, but there was no need because it was all about the musical chemistry between them. In fact, in real life they’d toured for a while anyway. The magic of the movie is the clear and absolute passion that Glen Hansard has for his music and the obvious effect and inspiration that it had on Marketa, which apparently happened in real life. The director/cameraman I believe was actually a member of “The Frames”, the band that Hansard played/plays in otherwise. In his words it was “A celebration of their friendship.” Be warned, this isn’t “The Pancake Eating Freaks” who in their own way are equally as talented but its worth watching if you’re passionate about music……….

I’ve decided to invade the Chapmanzone because Dave’s day seems to go by at a considerable rate lately. Poor bugger. Life’s a bitch sometimes. Only thing is, I’m wary of what I might put because it might go against his principle of what should be here. I read this often, and to be honest the posts have become a little irregular, and somewhat lacking in content. That said, it’s interesting a lot of the time and it’s a great way to keep an eye on what he’s up to…which clearly is so much that he’s no time to contribute much to this at present.

I’m a novice at this so bear with me. I’ve noticed that he doesn’t mention the family much. Which is a shame. Perhaps I’ll change things slightly…….content wise. And in the process bore the pants of those who read it. But it’s better than nothing at all.

Dave said when he apprehensively gave me access that I should write about the present. I’ve been documenting my life story elsewhere, he read it, and I’m not entirely sure he was that impressed. In truth, neither am I. But he plays a part in it anyway and that’s the point I’m trying to get over to him. This is called the Chapman Zone because he’s a Chapman. In THIS Chapman family. And THIS Chapman family is important to all of us because otherwise he wouldn’t be who he is today. Nor I. So, serious stuff out of the way……..

I can’t help but have been watching the progress of “The Pancake Eating Freaks” who by all accounts get some pretty good press here. It should be called “The Pancake Eating Freaks and Chapman Zone!” There’s little I can write other than to say that I think they’re some very talented lads. He’s covered most of everything else. The new Album is superb and with the right exposure should be the beginning of a long and prosperous musical career for them if they work hard and believe in themselves. My daughter Mia loves them……That is, Dave’s niece……I’m pushing a point here…..

 How the hell do I get a photograph on here………(I did say I was a novice!)

 Cheers for the access Dave. I’ve a lot of drivel to offer at times and two Chapman heads are better than one I say……………….Mark

more cat pictures

Sorry everybody - I have several things of muchas magnitude to blog about, but I don’t have time to do them justice. I’ve been to the best gig of my entire life, discovered one of the greatest bands of my entire life (and subsequently, one of the greatest blogs ever), played guitar and sang on stage for the first time at the Joiners (sort of), become inspired to try something new……and more besides. I simply do not have time to blog.

It’s the old excuse……Scouts. I am so far behind planning for Summer Camp, and making last years camp DVD, that it’s not even funny.

I gotta sort out my frickin’ life!!!!!

….for the unmitigated dullness of my last post.

I just read it, and had to restrain myself from slamming my head in the fridge repeatedly to try to wake my brain up, which had just gone into a coma in protest.

In my defense, I just felt that I had to post something, as it has been a stupidly long time since I actually used this site.

I apologise unreservedly to you, and will welcome suggestions for ways in which to punish myself, both for the dull post, and for my lack of blogularity. Physical, mental, sexual - I don’t mind.

…….preferably sexual though.

So I come in to work from a long weekend off, up to my desk to find a slip of paper on my keyboard, which read:

“Please switch off your monitor before you go home. Think of the environment and save energy.”

All very noble indeed, and I was certain that I actually did turn my monitor off on Friday when I left. That’s not why I write this post however.

No. You see, the Environmental Police must have done their rounds on Friday evening, as this place is too tight-fisted to pay weekend staff. So they came round, saw my monitor was on, and left me a note to tell me to turn it off in future, so concerned are they with the environment…..

…..which begs the question - why did they leave the monitor on after leaving me this note? They take the time (and use the paper) to leave me a note, but do not turn off the offending drain on electricity…….

Such rich meat to feed one of my rants, but I’m too busy here….damn them, actually expecting me to do work…..

I will, however, make one little statement on the nature of environmental politics in this country:

“Top down, Mr Brown.”

Actually, that’s quite catchy……..