Category: music
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“Bugs Tune EP” was originally released back in December 2012. It wasn’t long after the birth of my son. Believe it or not, the EP was recorded on a Blackberry Playbook. Remember those? Didn’t think so.
Fair play though, it did a good job of recording these for me.
I used the single microphone built in to the tablet and set it up in the hallway in the old flat when there was a quiet few minutes and recorded the tracks.
I was actually really pleased with how the songs sounded and even it still has that kind of real raw sound. No special effects, no production tricks. Just straight up songs.
There were some serious songs on here for me. Songs about the future, songs about leaving things behind and songs about those gone before their time.
Track one – Bugs Tune
This was a little melody I came up with just messing around with the guitar one day. I think I had been jamming along to some Springsteen songs earlier in the day. Just coming up with guitar parts and playing along. I used to play this to my son when he was about a year old, sleeping in this cot.
Track Two – Trouble Comes Around
Like most of my best songs this one just kind of spilled out of me. It was about working and living and making the best of things. Looking to the future with a kind of I don’t know what the future hold but I’m going to make sure I live it. Still one of my favourites.
Track 3 – I Wish You Well
Song about those changes in life, things change and you have to keep moving forward. I remember writing this on the floor in the front room of the old flat with a notebook in front of me. I likes the chord progression and the guitar melodies.
Track 4 – The River Song
This was a really personal one, written with a few people in mind but mostly my pal Mike who had passed away before this. Still miss you pal.
Hearing these songs now is a strange feeling. I still play The River Song and Trouble comes around in particular. I still feel like they have something to say.
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Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash Sometimes,
when I'm feeling low,
I find a quiet place
and get my headphones.
Tom Waits —
"Hold On."
It's that first chord —
a warm D chord —
just opens up the world.
It's like an old friend.
And the words —
the lyrics —
make you smile,
make you laugh,
make you feel,
make you think.
A warm embrace.
I can see her —
the old motel, paint worn and peeling,
breath visible,
wrapping herself in her arms
in the freezing cold,
by the old shop.
"Hold on..."(c) Paul Andrew Sneddon
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Music has always been there.
In my loneliness.
In my best moments.
From just a wee guy,
with my personal stereo:
Europe.
Fresh Prince.
Technotronic.
Top 40.
Taped off the radio.
Hits of the year.
Mum singing in the kitchen.
Dad’s record collection:
Bob Dylan.
Guns N’ Roses.
Then Aerosmith.
First light.
First gigs.
CDs from Woolworths.
John Lee Hooker.
The Black Crowes.
“Smokestack Lightning.”
And Gun.
Through bass guitars.
Copying riffs from my brothers.
Talent show.
Jam bands.
Aunt J’s funeral.
“Whisky in the Jar.”
Onto
An acoustic guitar.
Steve Earle.
Bruce Springsteen.
Life savers.
Living on my own,
wheezy harmonica,
chords,
four-track recorders,
soul brothers and sisters.
Writing songs.
Learning songs.
Lyrics scrawled everywhere,
on the walls,
on me,
in books and books.
Open mics.
Gigs.
Connection.
To the world.
To the earth.
Found myself
at 5am,
before the sun came up,
before the day began.
The Clash.
Rancid.
A thousand others,
etched on my heart.(c) Paul Andrew Sneddon
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Ayr High Street
Smiths
Sometimes in the 1990s
Upstairs where they sold CDs
Looking for something new
Past Madonna
Past Take That
Past Pearl Jam
Past The Offspring
Down on the bottom
I see it
What the fuck is that.
Rancid
A punk
Head in hands
….And out come the Wolves
I get home
Put it in the player
Maxwell Murder bursts out the speakers
Then the bass solo hits
I play bass. I've heard amazing players but no-one that plays bass like that
A few months later we’re cutting out of school early, getting the train through Glasgow. Standing in the queue at the Barras
We get in
The band ready
They start playing Maxwell Murder and the place lights up.
We are blessed
We are changed
We are alive.
We’re the lucky ones(c) Paul Andrew Sneddon
Paul Andrew Sneddon 