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.