EP Recordings!!

Happy to announce that I’ll be putting out 3 digital EP’s in the very near future (early part of 2014 at this stage) and at the moment I’m recording for the 2nd and 3rd ones!

Here’s a sneak peek from yesterday:

 

Also on another note, I was stoked to be able to not only attend, but also play at my mate Dan Verkys‘ exhibition late last month in Lancefield, Victoria at Mad Gallery!! I got to debut some of my own songs that I never thought would make it to the stage, and also played some instrumental versions of some cover songs. The works are at the gallery through November, so make sure you get along if you can!

mad_gallery

From last nights gig at Edwards Place….

Edwards_Place_Oct_2013Had a great time last night for my first solo gig in a while at Edwards Place in Reservoir, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. I do wonder if I jinxed it by making a few too many “Northern Suburbs Jokes” in regards to a lot of crime happening in the area in recent years though as a rock broke the window of the train I rode to get there last night!!! That shit sure wakes you up!!

Setlist was a mixture of solo and Feckers songs, and looked like this:

Here is some video of me singing “Slackers and Wankers” – funny how well this one always goes down as it’s the one with the most swearing in it!!

 

“Like Yesterday” – Out now!!!

like_yesterday_lower_res“Like Yesterday” is the new single and it’s out now!! This one is also the last in the acoustic run of singles. It remembers and says thanks to my parents and talks about what life was like when they were here. To me, music, and especially rock music is about baring your soul….. after all, whats the point of listening to someones music if it isn’t honest? With this song, I don’t think you could get a more personal song or a song that I believe in more.

I get goosebumps looking at the artwork that Dan created from my concept idea. It really is beautiful. Strangely, the concept for it came from the photo of me with the guitar which existed before the concept, although it looks like I knew exactly what I was doing and was posing accordingly. As usual, Dan was able to take my Tasmanian gobbledy gook and knock it out of the park with another amazing piece of work.

I remember showing my Dad the music for this song before any lyrics existed as I had just gotten strings from the amazing Lyris Hung on a couple of my songs (having real strings in my music was always a dream when I was younger, but one that I was never really sure if it would happen), which in retrospect was a real special thing having him hear the music for this one. Obviously the song wasn’t intended to be what it is back then, but I’ll never forget that night. That was one of my favourite things in the world – just hanging over a couple of beers, playing music for each other and catching up. Will miss it a lot.

In loving memory of my folks, Bysh and Irene Szkup. Much thanks to Dennis Leeflang (mixing), Lyris Hung (strings), Andy VanDette (mastering), Dan Verkys (artwork) and Ren Reich (engineering) on this one especially. It’s available in the STORE here at CS-Songs.com, as well as iTunes and all the usual digital outlets that stock our stuff!

October Happenings!!

Starting to get the itch again as far as getting out there and playing after an interesting few months!! So far I have these with more to come – will be rescheduling the intended Feckers duo gig that we had to postpone recently!!

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cs_palace_hotel_march_2012Saturday, October 5thEdwards Place – Free
Playing solo acoustic from 8pm as part of Rockshow!!
48 Edwardes Street, Reservoir, Victoria, Australia (Get Directions)

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Sunday, October 13thMad Gallery – Free (I think)cs_palace_hotel_march_2012
Playing some backing tracks for my mate Dan Verkys‘ exhibition launch!! Dan does the artwork for every bit of audio I release I love his work so much. Make sure you get along to this as he’s a huge talent and a great fella too!
19 High Street, Lancefield, Victoria, Australia (Get Directions)

 Dan Verkys Exhibition

More dates to come, and a new single as well!!!! After that one I’ll be putting out some full band electric music!!!

 

 

New Feckers single out now!!!

This is the fourth single that originally was due to be released before our album “It’d Be Rude Not To” in March. Sometimes things happen however and the song tells YOU when it’s coming out, but anyway it’s finally here!

Once upon a time I was going to do this song solo having had the bulk of it sitting around a long time before it was decided we would do it Feckers style. It features a great singer and infectiously enthusiastic guy in Carl Lindquist from Sweden, and also our old friend David Austin from New Zealand who we had written a few things with back in the early 00’s. Due to those songs not ever really happening, we wanted to finally have something with all of us playing together and this is it!

Also joining those two lads are myself and our resident crusher of heads on the kit, Mr Dennis Leeflang who also mixed the track.

As usual, artwork by Dan Verkys and mastering by Maor Appelbaum. I hope you enjoy!!

Sign up to RippleHive and get free stuff!!!

Today sees the launch of the RippleHive Site and it looks great to me!!!

These guys have been big supporters of my music in the past and are looking to take it a step further by offering some amazing opportunities for indie musicians in Australia and NZ, for which I’m extremely appreciative of!! So for anyone who signs up with them, I’ll send you a copy of “Pieces of Eternity” at no charge, wherever you are!!

Just forward me a screen grab or the email itself that shows you’ve signed up, as well as your postal address and I’ll send one your way as soon as I can!! info (at) cs-songs.com

“TPCM” – Out tomorrow!!

TPCM - resizeMy next single, “TPCM” (short for This Poisonous Corporate Machine) will be hitting digital outlets tomorrow being July the 16th in Australia!!!

Despite the artwork possibly giving the vibe of a heavy track ( ? ), the single is actually another acoustic number, with the dark vibe of the cover very much intentional as the lyrics come from that kind of place.

I’m totally stoked with what Dan Verkys came up with from my rambling that I call a concept, and would definitely rate this cover as one of my all time favourites by him!!

Will have a video hitting my youtube channel tomorrow night as per usual with this set of songs. Stay tuned!!

Feckers Acoustic Gig – June 29th!!

Irene Slade and I (with possibly a special guest) will be playing  an unplugged 30-40 minute set of tunes from The Feckers “It’d Be Rude Not To” live for the very first time, and we would love you to be there with us!!

Details? Saturday June 29th @ Edwards Place
48 Edwardes St
Reservoir, VIC

We’ll be onstage at 8pm, and will have copies of “It’d Be Rude Not To” and “Pieces of Eternity” available on the night!!

Check out the Facebook Event Page, and also to get a taste of Irene’s amazing vocals, check out The Feckers cover of “Wasted Years” by Iron Maiden!!!

“You’re Not Alone” – Out Now!!!!

That’s right folks, the latest single is up for your listening pleasure. This is the latest in the run of acoustic songs from Chris’ acoustic sessions that took place during downtime from tracking for The Feckers debut album at Melbourne Records.

This one features Dennis Leeflang on drums and Chris on guitars, bass, keys and vocals, while the mixing was handled by Dennis also, mastering by Maor Appelbaum, and artwork by Dan Verkys.

The official video is below. It was shot a few weeks back at The Palace Hotel in Camberwell during a solo acoustic gig there. Much thanks to Richard Anderson and Stephen Titter who helped out with the shoot, and Steve Legg for having me play there!

Purchase the song here: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/youre-not-alone-single/id635688807