Birthdays

Now I don't know why, but we always made a big deal of celebrating birthdays in the band.

I distinctly remember sitting in a pub celebrating Beth's birthday and realising that we had never celebrated Zed's. This must have been at least two years after he'd joined the band.

So I asked him when his birthday was and he said he didn't have one. Obviously, we all protested that everyone has a birthday, but he was very firm: he didn't have one. Not even "I don't know when my birthday is" but "I don't have a birthday".

So, we asked him to pick a date he liked and we'd celebrate his birthday on that date. He went along with it and suggested the 26th of June. Why the 26th of June? No reason.

So, since then, I've raised a glass to Zed on this day. Wherever you are, mate, here's to you. Cheers.

Finally

Finally, there's some music up on http://www.fournotes.co.uk/.

I've posted up 'A Face In The Crowd, Part 4', which is an instrumental based on two chords. The intention is that it is supposed to sound like it could just go on and on. In fact, some people think it does...ha ha ha.

Back on track

After my crisis of confidence I'm back on track. Over the weekend I am going to post three tracks: parts I, II and III of 'A Face In The Crowd'. They're not finished, but I need to get something up there which gives you a flavour of the music. Check out http://www.fournotes.co.uk/ on Monday. There will be music!

Time to come clean

Why haven't I posted up any Empty Vessel music? It's time to come clean.

Basically, I've started on a lot of the songs. I've got nearly two hours of material. But it just doesn't sound remotely, anything like it should do. Or at least, it does in places, but mostly it just sounds rubbish.

Am I kidding myself here? Is this a completely impossible task that I've set for myself? Should I give up? Has anyone else out there tried to do anything similar?

I'm going through something of a crisis of confidence. I'm currently listening to Dream Theater's Octavarium and it just sounds like a different world from the sort of stuff I'm churning out. Why am I bothering?

I want my band back. Boo hoo.

Zed's Dead

Just found this on the internet.

http://www.jamesmorrow.com/zedsdead.htm

Probably a coincidence, but...? Anyone know why they had this name?

Graham

So, Graham, you are reading this blog.

I'm genuinely mystified, mate. I understand how we lost (literally) Zed. I understand why Beth left the band. I understand why Jen and I fell apart. But I never understood what happened to a friendship that went back to school. What did I do? Tell me!

Graham surfaces

I have copied and pasted this from the email:

"Dear Robert

I was recently made aware of your blog and felt I should contact you regarding this. I just wanted to make it absolutly clear that your 'weird' message was NOT from me although personally I agree with the sentiment. There are still lots of ghosts that remain and frankly I think dragging them up again is not in the best interest of any of our mental wellbeings (especially yours). I know you well enough to know that you will almost certainly post this message up on you blog so wont even try to dissuade you of this.

I genuinely wish you well with your project and hope you have a happy and fulfilling life.

Yours

Graham"

I make no comment.