Chris Szkup

This week saw the release of the acoustic cover of the Iron Maiden classic, “Wasted Years” by The Feckers over at the official website!!! This was another one of our one off online releases done in the interest of keeping you guys out there (and us) busy while the full length album is being mixed (speaking of, 11 out of 14 songs are down as I type this), and it features Irene Slade on vox, Mathew Szkup on guitars, Dennis Leeflang on drums, and myself on guitars and bass. The mix was handled by Dennis also, the mastering by Maor Appelbaum, and the artwork by Dan Verkys. We’re really happy with the result and feedback seems to be positive which is always great.

Check out a preview video with interviews from Richard and I talking about the track:

And for your free download of the track, visit http://www.thefeckers.net/

Coming on the 13.03.2012 is the first in a run of singles that will lead up to the next full length album. It’s called “From Within”, and while some may recognise that title, read on because it’s not what you might first thing it is…..

Originally recorded in 1999 at Claremont College when I was a young buck of 19, with Colin Mahoney on the skins and Andrew Curtis behind the desk, this was always a song that people seemed to enjoy – something that isn’t a regular comment when it’s my music being discussed ha, so when it came time to do some acoustic sessions the way I had always planned on doing, I wanted a little “extra” for that and came up with the idea of revisiting one of my old songs perhaps. Simply doing a new full band version with current technology bringing it up to date was considered, but never something I really wanted to do as we have already done the band version – I’m not into the idea of repeating myself if I can help it!!

So eventually the idea came about to record this, being one that a fair few people enjoyed, the first song I wrote at age 14 that made me think I may actually have something to say on my own away from the band, and also a song that I had always heard real strings on if it were ever possible. It wasn’t in 1999, but thankfully I’ve come into contact with the amazing Lyris Hung who was able to bring it to life and then some in regards to the string idea I had all those years ago.

So this lead to the acoustic version with string section, that will be coming as a full length music video you can check out, and for sale via all the usual digital outlets for anyone that would like a copy for themselves.

Recording started during my acoustic sessions at Reich Records in 2009 where I did all my parts, including some extremely metal tambo tracks, and Lyris Hung‘s strings were recorded by my good friend Dennis Leeflang at The Groove Cabin in NYC. Mixing happened at Open Plan Studios here in Melbourne by Mark Chierego, while mastering was carried out by our newest addition to the insanely talented mofos helping us out group, Maor Appelbaum. Artwork was done by the incredible Dan Verkys. Check all of these folks out as they’re amazing!!!

Check out a preview video for “From Within” here:

I’ll be playing solo acoustic (unless someone feels like a jam???) on March 28th, at The Palace Hotel, (893 Burke Rd, Camberwell) @ 8.30pm if anyone is near by. Will be tracks from “Pieces of Eternity”, some Feckers material, and maybe a cover or two as well. Will have albums with me if anyone needs a copy also!!

Click here to view the venue on a map.