We winnowed the current set list options down to 68 songs out of a potential 90 or so, or 83 if you exclude covers.

Due to the number of guitar changes that these songs entail and the fact that Mr Wizard doesn't like getting the stink eye from the rhythm section for stopping to tune during the set, we've been developing 'clusters' of songs that we can change between as needs arise.

DC called it feeling the spirit of the crowd. I call it 'switching to alternate material when you discover that tonights venue is a Honky Tonk'

So how do we combine the needs for variability plus the needs for ease of guitarist changeovers (wusses)? We develop 'clusters' of songs within the setlist, allowing some degree of 'settling in' plus the Emergency Stylistic Bail Out for times when there's a 98 Y.O lady in front of the stage and you're doing the song you wrote for the Wrestling Championships.

I kid you not, these things happen.

Each of the song cards details tuning, feel, tempo, style etc and putting them together into an order can take quite some discussion.

My vote is for for calling the songs depending on whim. That doesn't meet with great approval from the Guitar Section. 'All you have to do is pick up the right harmonica' they complain.

It's not that easy. I also have to

1. Make sure it's the right way round

2. make sure it's not upside down.

3. Ensure all facial hairs are waxed and out of harms way

4. Remember lyrics (can be hard. ever been stuck for a word? Try doing on stage. in a song. that you wrote the lyrics to. facepalm)

I am very pleased to say that the clusters for tonights show were arranged by Bill and completely different from what Rosie, Mr Wizard or I would have done, thereby sowing chaos.

CHAOS! Muahahaha...(cough)...ahem.

 Also. new songs. Better off without you, a very tom petty vibe piece (on purpose we frickin luvs ya tom) and a mutant Pete Townshend kind of thing with a Bacharach/Japanese style melody progression, a very sweet sounding vocal and an aggressive guitar riff. When Pete D said I sound like Doris Day doing metal, well, rather than deploring it, i think we have may embraced it.

We dont generally write 'angry' songs but I've been doing my reading on music usage and human brain stuff and this song is an exercise in writing a for a specific type of emotional need.

Bill loves it for the complexity, Mr Wizard's into it because it's got the Japanese influence that's so big with him at the moment PLUS the complexity and and I think it's fascinating. 

 Not the first time we've taken a risk (See: light in the distance) but these experiments dont always see the light of day. Heh. it's a 1am show in Newtown, on a Friday. It's the right place to unveil the experiments :-) Come one, come all!