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Infinite Black: Audio From The Abyss – Out Now!!!

Back in 2022, I remember getting a message from my friend Dan Verkys regarding a bunch of amazing new stuff he had coming in the near future, which included a book called “Infinite Black” which he was co releasing with poet Jeff Oliver. He had the very cool idea of an audio soundtrack to go with the book and wondered if I might want to be a part of it. While I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, if this fine fellow comes your way, the immediate answer is “OF COURSE”!!!

So as it turned out Dan was well on top of things and had been experimenting with things and had created these awesome digital soundscapes that would make the basis of the tracks on “Infinite Black Audio From The Abyss”. The idea was for me to add bits and pieces to what he had and we would see where we end up. I had never really played stuff like this before, although if you know my playing, you will hear pretty quickly that it’s me on there! The other thing was that, especially being new territory, I was very mindful of going on a weird trip and getting carried away with something that might not necessarily fit the concept of the album. Dan was so great with everything though and encouraged me to go off on those trips if they looked like happening!! What a pleasure!!

We didn’t quite manage to get it out at the same time as the book due to things being really crazy on my end at the time of that release, but again Dan being Dan, was so amazing with everything and assured me it can come out when it comes out, no stress and all that. We’ve worked together on things since 2009, but this is the first time it’s been a musical collaboration. I’m excited for everyone to hear it!!! And don’t be suprised if more stuff like this happens in the future.

Please check out the book and audio releases if you can. What an honour to be a part of it!!!

Hardcover – https://www.lulu.com/shop/jeff-oliver-and-dan-verkys/infinite-black/hardcover/product-rpym66.html?q=Dan+Verkys&page=1&pageSize=4

Paperback – https://www.lulu.com/shop/jeff-oliver-and-dan-verkys/infinite-black/paperback/product-r5e9m6.html?q=Dan+Verkys&page=1&pageSize=4

Album – https://cs-songs.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-black-audio-from-the-abyss

“Sentiel Rising” – Official Video.
“Welcome To The Machine” – Official Video.

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“Who Could Have Seen?” – Official Video!!!

Premiering at 2.00pm AEST is the official video for “Who Could Have Seen?” from the recently released “Chance” EP!!!

Featuring cameos from Steve Triffit, Darren “Mossy” Bleathman, Mathew Szkup, Jake Cowburn, Nathan Adams, Dylan Beast, Matt Perry and Dallas Braddock, and footage from Hobart, Melbourne and Wellington.

The track features Brett Collidge on drums and extra piano, Rick Curran on strings, and myself on guitars, bass, vocals and piano. The “Chance” EP was mixed by Dennis Leeflang at Livelong Productions, mastered by Joe Carra at Crystal Mastering, and artwork by Dan Verkys.

It will be arriving in most online digital retailers on September 06, 2021, but is already available at http://cs-songs.bandcamp.com/
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“Chance” EP Out Now!!!

“Chance” artwork by Dan Verkys

Today sees the release of “Chance”, my new EP and first official solo release since 2014!!!

During the writing and recording of two albums with The Feckers during lockdown in 2020, I looked one day and realised that I had even more songs ready to go, and as fun and inspiring as doing The Feckers is, sometimes doing some tunes on a smaller scale is a good “yin” to the “yang” of that crazy but amazing situation we have created. I might not have looked at these songs again seriously for a couple of years, but with the pandemic hitting and so many friends losing months of work instantly, I thought of Brett, and figured that all things considered, that it might be a good “chance” to do some tunes together. Luckily for me he was keen! This whole “lets do this while we can” line of thinking, which is how I try to approach life anyway, was really apparent after something as big as what happened, and became a big theme to the songs, and meaning of the EP.

It was recorded very quickly mostly during July of 2020, with Brett busting out a track or two at a time, and myself chipping away on the remaining tracks over the remaining weekends in July and August with a plan to mix a song here and there for a while, and release it around July of 2021. Just a nice casual thing that wouldn’t interrupt anything else or be too stressful for anyone. When I did revisit things in the leadup to release, I noticed a couple of things I wanted to touch up which happened over the last couple of weeks literally.

One of my favourite moments from the creation of this EP with when the song “Who Could Have Seen” was coming together. It came about from a little idea I captured in my hotel room in Brisbane during a trip there visiting friends and family the previous year, and when it was time to record it for real it was likely going to be a stripped back acoustic song, with maybe a cajon but lots of space. I sent it over to Brett, mentioned this and said “what do you reckon”, and he responded something like “give me a couple of hours”. I had lawns to mow, so figured I would do that and come back and check my emails. Not too long after I had finished I had a version of the song from him with a drum track AND a totally cool orchestral section that he had mapped out on his keyboard. DAMN!!!

When it came down to those beautiful lines appearing on the song, there was no choice but to have real instruments playing them, which is what led me to coming across the amazing Rick Curran, a great person and player from the UK. Boy did he deliver!!!

To listen and / or purchase, check out my Bandcamp Site.

Links to more digital stores will be coming asap!!!

CREDITS:

Words and music by Chris Szkup (Except “Who Could Have Seen” – Words and Music By Chris Szkup and Brett Collidge), mixed by Dennis Leeflang @Livelong Productions, mastered by Joe Carra @ Crystal Mastering, artwork by Dan Verkys.

Chris Szkup – Vocals, guitars, bass, piano
Brett Collidge – Drums, extra piano
Rick Curran – Strings

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“Chance” EP Out August 27, 2021 – Preview Clips Available!!!

Happy to announce that “Chance”, my new EP and my first official solo release since 2014, will be out on August 27, 2021, here and on my Bandcamp Page!!! I hope you enjoy these preview clips!!

It features Brett Collidge Musician on drums and extra piano, Rick Curran on strings and myself on vocals, guitars, bass and piano.

Mixed by Dennis Leeflang @ Livelong Productions, mastered by Joe Carra @ Crystal Mastering, and artwork by The Art of Dan Verkys.

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The Feckers – “Never Too Old To Rock” – Out Now!!!!

The second single from the forthcoming album “Live To Fight Another Day” (due later in 2020), a fun look at rock n roll being a lifestyle, dedicated to ultimate rocker, Mr Jim Gillbanks, who has been showing them how it’s done since 1936!! CHEERS TO YOU MATE!!

This was a song Chris had sitting around not being used anywhere, and once he and Richard started collaborating on the lyrics, all these gags and references to artists we love started making their way into the song – it very quickly turned into a classic Feckers song, and one that we knew very quickly would be a single.

Raphael Gazal – Lead Vocals
Reese Morin – Bass
Pat Valley – Lead Guitar (0.02 – 0.15, 2.56 – 3.38)
Dennis Leeflang – Drums and Mix
Chris Szkup – Guitars and Backing Vocals Richard Anderson – Backing Vocals

Written by Chris Szkup and Richard Anderson. Mixed by Dennis Leeflang @ Livelong Productions, Mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johannson @ The Panic Room, Artwork by Dan Verkys.

Thanks to everyone for appearing in the video and making it even more fun for us to do. Cameos: 0.37 – Yohei Eto (Japan), 1.45 – Dan Verkys (Australia), 2.28 – Ponch Satrio (Indonesia), 2.34 – Chris Hickling (UK), 3.05 – Gorilla Elvis (New Zealand), 3.10 – Rob Smith (New Zealand), 3.20 – Anne Milne and Spider Anderson (New Zealand), 3.46 – Mathew Szkup and Jake Long (Australia), 5.08 – Jim Gillbanks (UK).

“Cheers Jimbo” cameo’s (in order of appearance): Chris Hickling (UK), Paula Gonzalez (USA), Dave Mather (New Zealand), Shannon Gillbanks (UK), Johnno “King AWOL” Troulis (USA), Jordy Gibson (New Zealand), Paul Taylor (UK), Aaron Edwards (Australia), Ponch “Bugger” Satrio (Indonesia), Raewyn Anderson (New Zealand), Richard Anderson (New Zealand), Chris Szkup (Australia).

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Update – May 04, 2019!!

Been a big couple of months, I figure I will just do a summary of everything here since I didn’t manage to keep up with adding everything along the way!! Hope everyone is well!!

TUNES AND PARMAS WITH FRIENDS:

Early March I was at the Royal Oak Hotel in Fitzroy for the first time, and in the crowd were a few of my good friends from New Zealand!! We closed my acoustic set there with “Slackers and Wankers” and they didn’t throw us out, so that was good!! 😀

Will be back there on May the 8th @ 8.30pm!!

THE ART MASTER BRANCHES OUT:

Next up my mate Dan Verkys who has handled artwork for myself and The Feckers for 10 years and going strong, came to me with the idea of having more articles on his website to go with the amazing artwork that has always been there. He was kind enough to have me as one of the first things he did with the new format of his website. When that guy comes calling, I am THERE – I don’t mind what it is. Thanks so much mate!!!

JAMMING WITH A LEGEND:

Early April, my brother Skube had tagged me in something about local guitar legend Phil Para inviting people to come and jam with him at his gigs. Skube and I have sunk quite a few pints in the crowd at Phil’s gigs before, and I always remembered (despite the pints) how amazing he was – I HAD to do this!!

What a great bunch of guys he and his band are, and the staff at The Fyrefly where the event was held were also very lovely. An amazing night!!


LIVE AT SWAMPLANDS:

Late April I did a solo gig at Swamplands Bar in Thornbury, as part of a night that Dylan Beast runs there every week. Dylan and I used to play in an acoustic duo a year and a half ago, so it was a great excuse to catch up and play some tunes as well. We played solo sets and guested on a song for each other too. Amazing fun!!

THE FECKERS AND WHAT’S NEXT:

The next album from The Feckers is well underway and has actually begun the mixing process with Dennis Leeflang of Livelong Productions handling that stuff. The third song to be mixed is currently underway in his very good and capable hands and it is sounding KILLER.

This coming week I have the live set at The Royal Oak @ 8.30 as mentioned (May 08), as well as a two hour slot on Casey Radio as part of the Casey Beat program (May 11) where we’ll be talking and playing some songs live and studio. Should be great fun.

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First music from The Feckers in five years!!!!

During the making of the second album from The Feckers “Live To Fight Another Day”, we found, as is often the case that we had too much stuff, and somehow this version of the great W.A.S.P. song “Mean Man” happened, which when we decided to throw it out there, also happened to be the first music from The Feckers in five years!!! Hope you enjoy. Head over to the official site to download it for free!!!

LINE UP AND CREDITS:

Tugra Ismail – Lead Vocals
Chris Szkup – Rhythm, lead and bass guitars, backing vocals

Dennis Leeflang – Drums, mix
Mathew Szkup – Rhythm guitar
Alexey Spectre – Backing vocals

Mixed by Dennis Leeflang @ Livelong Productions, Mastered by Maor Appelbaum Mastering, Artwork by Dan Verkys.

“Mean Man” (Written by Steve Edward Duren), originally appears on the W.A.S.P.album “The Headless Children” from 1989. That is a killer song and album, so make sure you check it out and go buy it you bastards!!

 

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New Music – “Following”!!!

Full length video for the song “Following” that I wrote in 2003, when I knew that I had to leave my home town and move away to keep growing. At the time I played in the metal band Jigsore, but was also getting into more melodic things like this and it was coming out in my writing. Wanted to keep both things going, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.

Had been pondering whether I should wait til I have the money to give it the full production, or just release it quick, as is. Turns out with the loss of my old mate Keds recently that my soul really needed some healing, so I finished it up on boxing day. Here it is, warts and all. Music purely for the soul.

All vox, guitars, bass, percussion, mixing, mastering and video editing by me, artwork by Dan Verkys. Hope you dig! 😀

Free – Grab a copy of the song for FREE here!

 

FULL LENGTH VIDEO:

 

LYRICS:

Dreams to follow, yet so bogged down
Nothing more for me in this town
Lands far away, they’re calling me
What they propose, I’d like to see

What exists now, will always be
Around as far as I can see
I will not change, what makes me me
Be back some day you will see

Want to acheive, in myself I believe
Don’t be sorry but, happy when I leave

Following that I dream
Much closer than it seems

Something I, I need to do
How can you know if ya don’t pursue?
And it may prosper, and it may sour
If my way’s had I’ll progress in the hour

I need respect, for what I’ll do
I’d have no problem if I was you
We’ll carry on, do what we do
All the things that get us through

Following that I dream
Much closer than it seems
Still a part of the team
The last of me not yet seen