Stormcellar Band Home Page

Hiya,

If you've been reading MJEB's blogging or checking the Facebook or watching the Youbute you might have noticed a boss new tune we recorded over in Kansas City called "You Can't Push Me Away". I will admit that I was a bit sus on it at first but as we rehearsed it up acoustically it started to gel. It wasn't until we got into the studio and plugged our guitars in and Theo got behind the tubs that I could hear the goodness in it. Hearing Jo and DC Bellamy working on their harmonies and then laying them down was simply an amazing joy. When DC let loose with that voice and they came together in the chorus I shivered and had to pinch myself.

Here are some photos I took at the session inbetween takes, sitting in my isolation booth.

Trusty steed for this song - nice tight sound:

Trusty pedal board and trusty Converse Chucks:

Trusty Fender Red Knob Twin:

And trusty chart ... almost like a pro! Some of it I even followed! The scratching out shows we tried the song in several keys before settling - so the numbers are right but I wouldn't follow the leftover chord letters unless you want to insert a modulation to the key of C in the middle 8.

More photos of the session in the next installment.

Cheers,

Rosie

I’m back – so so many photos to file through!

So the gig at the Wagon Wheel in Terre Haute, Indiana was fun and not without technical challenges for some. Mr Wizard learned not to feed the US power-rated amplifier (110v) into the outlet that feeds 240v for his Australian powerboard (or as it's called in the US 'power strip' ... which could mean something entirely different down here!). The fuse did exactly what it was designed to do and blew instantly. No more Fender Deville 4x10 was had that night! Mr Ken Tucker of the Ken Tucker Band to the rescue with a loan of his amp and Mr Wizard was up and running again. Thank you Ken you're a gentleman!

Here’s Bill on stage in Terre Haute:

and ...

More to come ...

Cheers,

Rosie

One of the sheer human joys we participate in is the making.

Yep, the journey's the best part.

Right now, Paul's slide is screaming out of the right speaker as I listen to the first adjusted mix of the Rock River song.

Ben has doubled Jo's vox, mixed it L& R and centred my vocals. 

I can hear within Theo's bongo playing a polyrhythmic link to the environment where the song was created. The bongos seem to tumble like water running against rocks, endless cycles of variation and similarity. Not getting too 'woo' about it. Ok. yes I am. WOO. hand me some tinfoil for a hat.

The song will wend its way through the now long-established secret blackbox formula of getting everyones two cents about it and finding a sonic solution, or, releasing more than one version.

Yep it's a disrupted music market but we cherish the chaos. 

Did I mention we're looking at some flamenco? Utterly random of me to drop it in but we're busy cranking out yet more strangeness down here in the Stormcellar.

With the website back up (mostly) we can return to our regular programming as we get to the half way point of the tour/blog about the tour.

Day 10 - Terre Haute

Once again we took to the highways of the mid west, heading from Fort Wayne to Indy and our Wedding Party accom, dumping our gear and heading for Terre Haute where the Ken Tucker Band were doing a double with us.

Every now and again something at the side of the road gives you pause for reflection.

Vale Allen Peters.  

 Our venue for the evening was the famous Wagon Wheel.

Ken's mates set up a multi cam shoot for his band so I didn't get much footage as I didn't want to get int the way of the filming, but he's all up in the Youtube. Here's some random moments from the night including some Bass by Bill.

Big cheers to Ken and the boys and a special shout out to the Country & Western loving local who complained bitterly that we weren't doing Johnny Cash and then proceeded to dance anyway. Got ya. 

Day 11 - Union Station, Streets Festivals & Birdys with the Blue flames

If, Dear Reader, you're familiar with the lyrics to our song 'Twice Shy Girl' you'll see a reference to Union Station. When we got to the accom and found it opposite the old Union Station entrance in Indianapolis I made that spooky twilight zone sound. Cultural cringe be damned, BTW, as the story in Twice Shy girl was from a true story set in London and Sydney, recast in the mid-west and written by an Aussie so there.

 Exotic Life On the road Cont'd

 Mr Wizard and Rosie went in search of fuses for an amp that had gone kerplooie and Jo and I went in search of a Laundromat. Siri guided us to.. 

 A combo laundry and tanning salon.  Brilliant.

And Mr Murdoch/Telstra, have a look at these numbers and let me know when I can expect the same thing down here? (Begs the obvious Springsteen reference - 140 channels and nothing on...I guess that's why you're here dear reader!) 

 Whilst waiting for the machines to do their thing I spotted an article in the local press about what I can only guess is Marsupial Transpecie-ism.

A Kookaburra trapped in a Koalas body I see.   

Wtih our housework done, we headed for that evenings show, a double header with local heroes, Dicky James & the Blue Flames.

 I got some great footage of their show. 

 Check out the video bit.

The Blue Flames had already done a festival slot that afternoon and  made a huge effort to join us for the evening. Thanks guys.

I was lucky enough to get up and do a couple of numbers with the lads. Luckily for me, he had the lyrics to hand. Whew. Cheers Dicky!

Finishing late into the evening and with another early drive and midday festival start the day following, we did the only wise thing imaginable.

We went out for late night fast food at Steak and Shake. 

Next epidsode

- Garlic Sorbet

- 3 in a hot tub

- A dutchman in my bed

Thanks to the Dj's on Collectif Des Radio Blues in France for playing The Curious assembly.

http://radiosblues.com/septembre-2014

Interestingly they're quoting the review of TCA from the Crossroads Blues Society in Byron, Il.

Small Blues World huh?