Over the last handful of months, my mate from Hobart, Tasmania, Damon Brown had asked me if I might want to play on some more music. We had done some stuff a few years ago under the name Freaky Genie. As I’m always up for collaborating on new music, there has been quite a bit of stuff coming out from these sessions. I love the spontaneity and overall freshness to this stuff. No overthinking or slaving away over anything for months and months. Just no bullshit rock n roll, take it or leave it. Below are the tunes that have been released so far, with more to come:
“Deeper Than The Underground” – Out NOW!!!
Over on Bandcamp right now!!!
This was recorded over the last couple of years, was mixed by Dennis Leeflang, mastered by Joe Carra @ Crystal Mastering and artwork by Dan Verkys.
Ben Todd – Drums
Jose Guia – Piano and Keys (“Not Like Them” and “We Are Strong”)
Richard Curran – Violin (“Final Days” and Strings (“We Are Strong”)
Also some extra cool backing vocal and / or spoken word by these folks:
Bella Szkup, Mathew Szkup, Damon Brown, Gavin Burgess, Kratae, Nigel Cunningham, Richard Anderson, Tony Gilbert, Glen “The General” Parker.
So these are my latest songs which I think came out really good. I let them guide me as I always do, and the result is some of the best stuff I’ve done. Circumstances delayed some parts of it, and cost of living was really a ball kicker, as was the case for all of us.
All of these things and others made it come out probably a year or two later than it was meant to, but I’m happy. The great team of folks I have to help me really do make me sound and look much better than I am every time. Thanks to Dennis Leeflang, Joe Carra, Dan Verkys and not to mention Ben Todd, Jose Guia, Richard Curran, Richard Anderson, Adrian Eyes, Bella Szkup, Mathew Szkup, Gavin Burgess, Kratae and Glen Parker!
And if anyone out there listens to these songs and enjoys them, then I appreciate you doing so! The reason for the title and the album artwork is a bit of a dig on how things are these days but also perhaps intends to shine some light on things as well. There seems to be less patience, less looking out for each other and less regard for whats right in the interest of getting what we want faster. How about lets take our time, think about things and not always take the obvious and easiest route, and who knows what we might find?
It really hit me this time, perhaps things have gotten worse, or I’ve gotten older and finally realised, I’m not sure, but the realisation was that no one is waiting for this album. When you think about the boredom that ensues at your favourite band’s gig when they announce that “this is a new song” and the lines of people that take their bathroom and beer break as a result. Or the endless comments you read on how “this band was good for two albums and then sucked”. I mean, if people don’t care when all those amazing veteran bands are still being creative and making new music, what hope has a little guy like me got? This is the album that no one wanted.
That’s another reason that I called it “Deeper Than The Underground”. When you think of music that’s “part of the underground” and has a cult like following, well, even fewer people are into this, so it goes even deeper. And it also allowed us to do some cool things with the cover art and have most of the main players involved in the creation of the album on there. Dan Verkys did such an amazing job like he always does!
But with all of that, you know what else I realised? There were certainly a few moments this time when I wondered why I’m bothering, but the truth is, if you are a creative person, most people are going to think you’re a weird motherfucker and not get what you are about at all either way, but the thing is, you HAVE to keep going. If you don’t, I dread to think what would happen, but it wouldn’t be good. Can you imagine if every creative person in the world one day just said “whats the point” and stopped – what a horrible world that would be. I think we all feel broken and lost as creatives at one point or another, probably most of the time, but there is a good quote from Ricky Gervais which says “It’s better to create something that others criticise than to create nothing and criticise others”. I like that.
If you are a songwriter, you have to write songs. If you are an artist, you have to paint, draw, whatever it is. If videos are your thing or writing, then do those things. As corny as it might be, it’s really like something as essential as eating or breathing. The song “Not Like Them” talks about this a bit – “Sometimes it would be easier” if I was a regular goofball who was into football or something. That kind of thing. I would have a lot of extra money too, even though Spotify’s CEO thinks it costs nothing to make music.
Anyway, enough of my blabbering. The bottom line is that I’m stoked with what I made here and I’m glad I never gave up. Make sure you never give up with whatever it is you are doing as well. Keep going. Remember, “We Are Strong”!!!
Snippets:
“We Are Strong” (Visualiser)
Music by Chris Szkup, mixed by Dennis Leeflang @Livelong Productions, mastered by Joe Carra @ Crystal Mastering, artwork by Dan Verkys.
Chris Szkup – Guitars, Bass, Spoken Word
Ben Todd – Drums
Jose Guia – Piano and Keys
Richard Curran – Strings
Dan Verkys – Spoken Word
Tony Gilbert – Spoken Word
Richard Anderson – Spoken Word
Gavin Burgess – Spoken Word
I wrote this track on the day we found out Alexei Navalny was killed. When I found out it hit me pretty hard and it was one of those times I knew some music was going to come. As I was getting ready for the day after my coffee I started humming melodies to myself, and luckily I remembered everything when I got back to my instruments. This ended up being the “chorus” if you will, and was enough to get everything else going, and it happened quickly. At this point “Deeper Than The Underground” was actually going to be an EP of 6 songs. But the strength of this one I could feel right away. It had to go along with the other six songs I had completed at this point.
The title comes from a scene at the end of his movie where he is asked “what happens if you are killed”, and he goes on to say that ““We need to utilize this power to not give up, to remember we are a huge power that is being oppressed by these bad dudes. We don’t realize how strong we actually are. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing, so don’t be inactive,”
When I thought about the impact of that scene and the way he delivers it, I thought “We Are Strong”. What a message.
And it also allowed me to think about other amazing feats of courage and strength I’ve witnessed in my life, so since we weren’t able to acquire enough people’s voiceovers for that spoken word section I ended up doing a bit where I ask how my Dad went on after going through so much, and also another personal hero, Jason Becker, who was set to take over the world of rock guitar in the late 80’s as a teenager, diagnosed with ALS at 19 and given a few years to live, but is still with us now and these days creates music that he hears in his head by programming a computer note by note with the muscles in his eyes. But speaking of those voiceovers I must send the biggest THANK YOU again to my friends Dan, Gavin, Kratae, Richard, Glen and Tony for adding their experiences to what was already a pretty meaningful piece. You guys really elevated it to another level.
“Deeper Than The Underground” – Out TOMORROW!!!
My new album “Deeper Than The Underground” is coming out TOMORROW on Bandcamp!!!
New Album – “Deeper Than The Underground” – Coming March 2025!!
Coming in March 2025, my new album “Deeper Than The Underground”.
This was recorded over the last couple of years, was mixed by Dennis Leeflang mastered by Crystal Mastering and artwork by The Art of Dan Verkys
Ben Todd – Drums
Jose Guia – Piano and Keys on two tracks
Richard Curran – Strings on two tracks
Also some extra cool backing vocal and / or spoken word by these folks: Bella Szkup, Mathew Szkup, Damon Brown, Gavin Burgess, Kratae, Nigel Cunningham, Richard Anderson, Tony Gilbert, Glen “The General” Parker, Adrian Eyles, Dan Verkys.
I can’t wait to get it out there. Was a tricky one but also a pleasure. Will write more about this upon the release, which will likely be next Monday!
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!!!
Album – https://cs-songs.bandcamp.com/album/infinite-black-audio-from-the-abyss
New music from TCSO – “The Best Of” out now!!!!
Was a great thing to finally get the remainder of the TCSO songs I recorded with Dennis Leeflang, Mathew Szkup and Rob Lundgren finally finished and released, and boy did they come up amazing!!! Listen below – in the process of creating a section of the site for this which will feature all kinds of “making of” and “story behind the song” type of stuff!! More sooooon!! 😀
New Music!!! – “Your Song” available now!!!
New music!!! This is “Your Song”…..
A little tribute to our boy Keds who left us in December last year at 14 years of age. This was written and recorded during Feb 28, and March 1, 2019. Audio, video and playing on all tracks by me. I hope you enjoy!!
LYRICS:
First thing I see when I get home
The same friendly familiar face I know
Talking before I get indoors
You went next to the tray on the floor
You pissed on me, made me retrieve
You from the neighbours roof next door
Approached every day comically
Fly through the air before chicken hit the floor
You’d run to stay right by my side
The galloping of horses running with such pride
With the choice of an empty queen size bed
You’d stretch out along my ribcage instead
Accepted me, quickly
I guess it was, meant to be
That side of you, many would never see
How they misunderstood you, is how they don’t get me
Don’t worry we won’t tell your brother how you felt
You were always down for it, no matter what you were dealt
Ultimate gangster right til the end
Your territory you’d die to defend
Never back down, if right or wrong
My mate Kedi, I say “so long” (this is your song)
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! 😀
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
New TCSO song – “I Will Wait For You”!!!
The fourth in a “once a month or so” series of tracks from TCSO, a very personal song, “I Will Wait For You”, and as Chris will tell you, one of his proudest moments as a songwriter.
Featuring TCSO regulars Rob Lundgren (vocals) and Dennis Leeflang (drums and mix) alongside Chris Szkup (guitars and bass), due to the content of this song, Mathew Szkup was high on the list of people that Chris wanted to try and get on the track. While his schedule was tight, he does appear on acoustic guitar which was an awesome touch, and makes the whole thing “complete” in a lot of ways.
“Lyrically the song talks about the whole dealing with losing loved ones, and also what it means for the people left behind, really trying to make sense of everything and offering some thoughts on it all, as well as some personal recollections of people that were close to me who are no longer with us”, says Chris.
Another thing of note with this song is that with the “bridge” of the song, which to me was meant to be a bit of a Beatles esque jammy section, I realised that the lyric “Come Together” was in that section followed by a gap, so I had Rob sing “shoot me” as a little nod to the masters. Great fun to do that, and I think it sets the section offperfectly.
Once again, mastering on this track was done by Andy VanDette at Engineroom Audio in NYC, while artwork was done by Dan Verkys.