Recently i have been.

Drumming.

Driving.

Sleeping.

Eating.

Writing.

Gigging.

My band, Watch Us Fade,(https://www.facebook.com/WatchUsFade?fref=ts) are currently in the studio (actually my studio) recording what they call a debut album. Its definitely not going to be like proper popular and known to load of people nationally, but y'know, more like a local debut. Recording with Steve Beville, an established guitarist in Disarm Goliath, (https://www.facebook.com/disarmgoliathuk) has been epic. Thanks Steve! I am really happy with the tracks, and i look forward to finishing the album!

We've made more of an attempt to be a bit structurally quirky, and try not to "refer" back to the original riff or melody, and writing something that has more of a "storyline" effect to it. If you were to assign a letter or number to each section of a song, you could say that abbcbccdccc is the most common song structure, in terms of popular and chart music: starting off with an intro, moving into a long verse, followed by a chorus, then followed by another verse, ( or maybe even the intro melody again) followed by a double chorus, changing into a bridge section and completed by two or three repeats of the chorus. This is of course probably very untrue and maybe a little presumptious of me to say but, i find this is the most likely case in popular music. Probably because its easy to listen to and allows for the non musician to understand.

That aside, we have been trying to write music that is more along the lines of a lettered structure of abcdcdcdcefefefg, based upon "Call Of The Einherjar" which is included on the "Past Present Hell" album.Were doing this not to try to defy the generisms of music but to create a bit more of an interesting turn in terms of the creation process, making a bit more of a challenge in the respect of the relationship between five musicians and creating something to be proud of, that stands out a little more. I find it makes the rehearsal period much more of an anticipation as opposed to just putting this that and the other together and make the same music as we did on the e.p.

This week, i have been praised for my playing.  I had spoken to the owner of a recording and rehearsal studio, about maybe looking into a teaching job, teaching beginners and the unexperienced about the art of rhythm and percussion. I do teach by myself at the office but, being ungraded, i felt that maybe he wouldn't be such of an enthusiastic professional about it. I had explained that i have taught before as well as telling him that my previous tutor had told me that if i was to be graded, i would be around the grade 4/5 mark. At this point Tony retorts immediately and says, " no, id say you're more grade eight, definitely." i couldn't help but think, wow! why?! i couldn't read grade eight level theory for shit, let alone teach to that standard. I'm looking into getting drum grade books and getting myself to that level however, although that said i don't want to be totally theoretical about everything. I do hope i can be influencial though. Its this sort of thing that i really like to share with people, not because it makes me feel good, but because it means that they know that i could hopefully help others on their own journey to something great! 

Reckon you could email me on chewd@live.co.uk, with ideas for the design on this guitar? 

      Just think of something simple.. please? :P