Friday 27 August 2010

Silly String results

This goes back to a project started in February 2010, namely, what actually happens if you shoot a can of Silly Party String with an air gun? I would have forgotten the project had not Kate Mawby pestered me regularly, demanding results. Thanks also to the Croydon Tink-Tank for safety advice and video recording services on the day, and to Su Wayland for making encouraging remarks from the safety of an upstairs window.



Don't try this at home!

Thursday 19 August 2010

Freedom Boot modifications

The Ledbury Freedom Boot has now been gigged twice and two weaknesses have been exposed.

Firstly, the beading pins that affix the bottle caps to the stick are too dainty by far. Whilst they have not yet shed their load, they do bend easily and corrective action is frequently required mid-set.

Action: The puny beading pins are to be replaced with 6 x 1.5" black laquered dome-headed screws.

Secondly, the googly eyes fell off the toe-cap, demonstrating that "Sellotape Self Adhesive Sticky Fixers" are not as effective as the blurb on the pack would have you believe. Oh yes, the adhesive facing is aggressive and sticks to almost anything. The problem lies with the foam pad between the adhesive faces, which, like unto a marshmallow, has barely any cohesive qualities at all.

Action: The eyes are not to be replaced as they contributed little to the overall musical impact anyway.

All will be well for Acoustic Roots Linton 2010. Bought your ticket yet?

Wednesday 11 August 2010

Freedom Boot

Missed my July posting deadline - Bah! No projects posted in July because I was too busy festival-going, gigging and suchlike. I never imagined how stressful semi-retirement would be. Never a minute to oneself.

Anyway, the July project (now the August project) is the Ledbury Freedom Boot - that's the working name, not the final production name. It will probably end up being called something sinister like Cthulhu or Betty.

The Freedom Boot (aka Ugly Stick, Zob Stick or Lagerphone) is a linear array of percussive elements with a stomp-activated mode of deployment. I am tired of thinking up ways to avoid admitting that it is basically a boot on a stick adorned with beer bottle caps. You don't need a scholarship from the Royal Northern to learn how to play the Freedom Boot.

Our band, The Fylthe, is enviably well endowed kit-wise, so why a Freedom Boot? It's all Tom Waits's fault. Our Great Hairy Leader insists that our cover of Waits's "Underground" should be as dirty and noisy as possible, hence the Freedom Boot. Can you hear it yet, in your head?

Rattle BISH BASH BOSH
in the BISH BASH BOSH

there's a rumblin' groan
down below, etc...

Also, Waits is notoriously litigious and fiercely protective of his property, so having a big steel-toe-capped Doc Marten on a stick could come in handy in a pre-courtroom scenario.

Ready for Acoustic Roots Linton! Couldn't get the whole instrument in shot - sorry.