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 TCSO song – “One Half Of Two”!!!!
The fifth in a “once a month or so” series of tracks from TCSO, a mellow acoustic song written by Chris in his Mount Stuart unit up in the hills in 2001 on the old Tascam four track, where he would sometimes write and record three songs in a day. Not having a job had some benefits.
Featuring fellow Fecker Paul Jolley (Piano), and Rob Lundgren (vocals) alongside Chris Szkup (guitars, bass, cajon, shaker, backing vocals).
“It’s a song about being a very single goofy guy that is wondering if there is anyone from the better gender that would even notice any of these things which he thinks he has underneath the long hair and taking the mickey out of himself”, says Chris.
For a long time there wasn’t a title for it, until inspiration came from the Sara Bareilles song “Manhattan” from “The Blessed Unrest” (2013) – killer album by the way!
Once again, mastering on this track was done by Andy VanDette at Engineroom Audio in NYC, while artwork was done by Dan Verkys.
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.
New TCSO single “Nobody Knows”!!!
The third in a “once a month or so” series of tracks from TCSO, a hard rocker called “Nobody Knows”, which sees the founding members of The Feckers reuniting for the first time since that album’s release in 2013, with lyrics here being written by Richard Anderson, and the music by Chris Szkup.
Featuring Mathew Szkup (guitar), Rob Lundgren (vocals) and Dennis Leeflang (drums and mix) alongside Chris Szkup (guitars and bass), this song was once upon a time going to be included on a 2nd album by The Feckers, however when those plans were halted due to life getting in the way, Chris was very keen to still have the song be heard and released, especially with a new ensemble that he felt could do good justice to the track. The rhythm guitar track on the left hand side is Mathew Szkup, while on the right is Chris, which is “a mark of respect” says Chris – it seemed like when we were growing up that all the great rhythm players in the metal bands we were listening to would usually be panned to the left hand speakers, and anytime a riff would “break down” to introduce a song or so forth, it would always be panned to the left hand side. “As I owe a great deal to my brother in terms of rhythm playing, it felt right to have him panned left on the songs he plays on” says Chris.
Once again, mastering on this track was done by Andy VanDette at Engineroom Audio in NYC, while artwork was done by Dan Verkys.
New TCSO single – “No Way Back For Us”!!
The second in a “once a month or so” series of tracks from TCSO, a cover version of the great song written by New Zealand artist Rob Smith of RPJ called “No Way Back For Us”.
Featuring Mathew Szkup (guitar), Rob Lundgren (vocals) and Dennis Leeflang (drums and mix) alongside Chris Szkup (guitars and bass), this song was originally intended to be used for GONE WILD when a third album was being discussed a few years back. However, when plans changed in regards to that album, Chris obviously had fun on the track and asked the question “can we do the song anyway”!!! Luckily Rob Smith being the great fellow that he is, agreed to it.
Once again, mastering on this track was done by Andy VanDette at Engineroom Audio in NYC, while artwork was done by Dan Verkys.
Check it out right now for free on Bandcamp, and if you feel like purchasing it, then thank you so much but either way, I hope you like it…….especially you Rob Smith!!!
First new music in three years (and more too)!!!
Introducing The Claremont Symphony Orchestra (TCSO), with the new song “Ride”!!!
The first in a “one a month or so” series of tracks from TCSO, or The Claremont Symphony Orchestra – the baby of Australian songwriter Chris Szkup, featuring core members Dennis Leeflang (drums) and Rob Lundgren (vocals) along with himself, as well as guest players on certain tracks, so far including Mathew Szkup (guitar) and Paul Jolley (piano), with possibly more to come. This song, and I hope all of them will be, was mastered by Andy VanDette, while the artwork was done by Dan Verkys.
Due to the geographical distance between the members and the guest players on some songs, Chris felt it necessary to adopt a “collective” type name for the project, and at the same time wanted to use it to pay a little nod to where he grew up in Claremont, Tasmania – it’s meant to indicate in a way that as these songs were for the most part composed by him, these songs were born in Claremont. Some of them literally were.
All of these songs will gradually be revealed as time (and finances) allow, and when complete, will form a “collection” type album which will be available on the usual digital outlets and on the store at www.cs-songs.com however until completion, the best and fastest way to purchase the songs as they are released will be via the bandcamp site. You also have the option to throw in a little tip if you desire and pay more than the listed price for the song. This will help future songs be released faster, however this is completely optional, and you can even just listen to the songs in full for free and not buy at all – up to you!
GIGS:
For a while I’ve been wanting to throw myself in the deep end a little bit and play some piano live. I had done it very briefly one time earlier in the year, but September was the time that it REALLY finally happened. I had two weeks in a row of playing a piano set at Compass Pizza in Brunswick back to back with a guitar set at Whole Lotta Love, just up the road also in Brunswick. Check out some pics and video from both nights below.
(So far three gigs are confirmed for the month of October, solo, duo and band – waiting on the word before I can announce the details on them!)
“Cool Dry Place” (Traveling Wilburys) Sept 13, 2017:
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155695973659921/
Snippets of whole set – Sept 06, 2017:
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155684022689921/
“Lost Soul” (From “Pieces of Eternity“):
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155683908304921/
“Slackers and Wankers” (The Feckers):
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155682023894921/
“Far From Done” (The Feckers):
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155680744469921/
GUEST SOLOS:
Sometimes from time to time I might get asked to play a guitar solo or two on a song that a friend is putting together. I’m always honoured that someone might think of me in this regard, and therefore it’s basically always a “HELL YES” when people do ask. There is no slacking off with any of your “comfort licks” cause a fresh set of ears will always pick up on this, which makes doing guest spots a very cool and fresh thing to do whenever you get the chance. So if anyone ever reads this and thinks I might fit on a song they are doing, please ask! Here’s some vid doing solos for The Calm Before – sometimes you’re lucky enough to just hit record and go for it and something happens, which was the case here.
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155628502019921/
Update – 17.08.17!!!
Had a few months away from the music, doing some quick trips overseas to New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore! Always an amazing time that I thoroughly enjoy, but now it’s time to get back into the music!
As I speak, there are five songs mixed down for my new collection of songs (so far unnamed) , and while I didn’t tell anyone, I decided that when I got to this point with the mixing, it would be time to start putting them out one by one, while carrying on with the mixing of the remaining songs in the background. Dennis Leeflang has been doing an amazing job on these, and I totally can’t wait to have them out there! This morning I sent what will be the first song released to Mr Andy VanDette for mastering. Dan Verkys will also be handling the artwork, as is always the case. We’ve started bouncing ideas around for it already.
It’s a song called “Ride” and is a song I wrote in 2001 back when I was living in Hobart, but knew that I had to pack everything up to move away and start again – which I did in 2004, but that’s another story. It is interesting to look back on the song, and also hear it coming to life in this final version. It features Rob Lundgren on vocals, Dennis Leeflang on drums (and mix), and myself on guitars, bass and keyboards.
Aside from this, I’ve gotten back into the playing live thing, which felt really good to do! Here’s a few recent live vids:
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155608412894921/
(“Born” – Live at The Basement Cafe & Bar, August 11, 2017)
A song from my second album “Resist to Exist”. For some reason this was only the third time I had played it before. Always liked the song!
https://www.facebook.com/thefeckers/videos/1499862263408256/
(“Slackers and Wankers” – Live at The Basement Cafe & Bar, August 11, 2017)
A favourite from The Feckers album “It’d Be Rude Not To”. One that I have been playing since even before the album was released in 2013, and one that is played at most live gigs I do. It had been a while this time, so it felt real good coming back to it!
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155604847674921/
(“Down in a Hole” – Live at The Basement Cafe & Bar, August 11, 2017 – with Dylan Beast)
Alice in Chains cover and wow, what a song!!! Dylan and I had started playing in a heavy band together that is still putting songs together on the quiet. We had also discussed other styles and possibly doing acoustic duo type gigs, which is how this all began. We do quite a few Alice songs as we both love them so much!!
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155604803329921/
(“Sunshine” – Live at The Basement Cafe & Bar, August 11, 2017 – with Dylan Beast)
Alice in Chains cover. See what I mean – we really love the band haha! What a song, and album!!
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155338819414921/
(“Thank Fuck It’s Friday” – Live at The Basement Cafe & Bar, May 20, 2017)
David Brent cover. Being a huge fan of the British (aka REAL) version of The Office, I was absolutely over the moon when I heard Ricky was bringing back the Brent character and I always enjoyed his songs from the show, drawing that fine line between being a pisstake and actually being pretty bloody good! I’ve been doing a few of his songs from the soundtrack album live this year as I just think they’re really good songs. I haven’t met anyone in the crowds that has recognised them so far though sadly – maybe they think “that guy Chris writes really good songs” when I do it? Sorry Ricky – I always give you a plug when I do them haha.
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155322168969921/
(“Spoonman” – Live at The Basement Cafe & Bar, May 20, 2017 – With Dylan Beast)
This was the day after Chris Cornell sadly passed away. What a SHOCK! We were both huge fans, and this wasn’t planned at all. I sent Dylan a message asking if he’d like to sing something by Chris and he was into it. Some people said perhaps it was too soon, but I don’t think there is a right way in these cases – you just do what you gotta do, which is what we did here. Real glad we did!
https://www.facebook.com/cs.songs/videos/10155367622294921/
(“Drunk” – Live at The Basement Cafe & Bar, June 02, 2017)
Have been wanting to do a song by the great Bumblefoot for a long time, but I’m human in regards to my singing range and guitar abilities while he isn’t haha! So for a long time it didn’t happen, just cause I couldn’t find one I could do justice to! Here is my attempt at the great song “Drunk” anyway. Hope I didn’t balls up your song too much Ron!!
(Never thought I’d get to sing the lyric “I see your face in every drop of golden urine” at an intimate little acoustic gig some day in inner Melbourne though I must admit haha!)
https://www.facebook.com/205478486451066/videos/451161761882736/
(“Kings Highway” – Live at Sash Bar, April 08, 2017 – With Michael Hussey)
Tom Petty cover. I’ve done this song a fair bit this year. The “Into The Great Wide Open” album it’s from is just about perfect to me. Just great songs that are to the point, great melodies and playing, no one going off on any tangents trying to steal the spotlight or anything like that. Just great rock n roll – which is what Tom and The Heartbreakers have done for over 40 years very consistently. My mate Michael Hussey joins me here for some off the cuff jamming of the tune. Great fun to do!
New bands, music, a return to the stage in Hobart, art exhibitions and new vids!!!
(Photo above from the Cunning Stunts gig at the Republic Bar and Cafe, Hobart – thanks to Colin Mahoney!!)
Welcome to the first update in a while! My apologies for that, but here’s the latest!
- The Szkup, Lundgren, Leeflang, Szkup collection of songs is still happening!!! Sometimes life happens and gets in the way of the plans you’ve made, but rest assured that this stuff will be coming out. It’s some of the best stuff I’ve ever done by a long shot. Here’s a short vid from guitar tracking today!
- Recently I also made my return to the live stage in Hobart for the first time in 11 years, as part of a
Post gig shot photobombed amazingly by Colin Mahoney! (Jake Cowburn, Brett Collidge, Mathew Szkup, Chris Szkup) Metallica Tribute band Cunning Stunts, featuring Brett Collidge – Drums, Jake Cowburn – Bass / Vocals, Mathew Szkup – Guitar / Vocals and Myself – Guitar. The night was an amazing success and totally took us by suprise. So much so that we’ll be doing it again semi regularly as we’re able to find free dates in everyone’s schedules. Will keep you posted!
(Photo courtesy of Shot By Slaidins Photography)
- Over the past handful of months I’ve been getting a line up of guys together slowly. It’s intended to be very heavy and aggressive thrash metal, and we’re writing for it as we speak. Still on the hunt for a singer and a bass player if anyone is out there.
Here are a couple of vids from us jamming!
- Back in February I was honoured to be asked again by the mighty Dan Verkys to provide music for his latest exhibition called Chaos Dreaming!!! Was a great day as always. Here’s a few pics from the festivities!!
(Photos by Daryl Bean)
Here’s a vid of me playing there on the day!
Some new live appearances and more!!
Hey friends, hope all is well out there!!?
As of today, Mr Rob Lundgren sang his final stuff for the next album and it’s sounding killer!! Now we’re at the stage of Skube and myself adding / tweaking guitar bits before mixing and mastering gets underway. Too early to say when this baby might be released, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted!!
I’ll be playing live acoustic at The Eltham Hotel, here in Melbourne on May 27 at 8pm!! Click here for directions and note that there is very likely to be more events happening that same week.
Also, I was recently asked by my mate Dan Verkys, the fantastic fellow that does the artwork on music releases for me if I’d like to play some tunes at his forthcoming exhibition called Chaos Dreaming, which is running at the Mad Gallery from August 16 – September 16. You should definitely make sure you get along to this if you’re in Victoria over that time. This man is an amazing talent!!!! Click here to RSVP via the Facebook event!
Promo poster and video below:
Some guitars to end the year!!
Hey all!
I have a few days of guitar tracking for the next album this week which I’ll be documenting on my Youtube channel – this is all for the next album that is due out around July / August next year and will feature Rob Lundgren (vocals), Mathew Szkup (guitars) and Dennis Leeflang (drums) along with myself. Stay tuned as there’s lots more to come!