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77 trash (with AW/DHL) by echoroom [Email]
Genre: Electropop

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 1496
Comments: 103
Votes:
Plays: 191
Last Played: Oct 12, 2008 - 08:14:45 PM
Downloads: 48
Fans: 46
Uploaded: Feb 05, 2008 - 02:38:20 PM
Last Updated: Feb 06, 2008 - 01:40:31 AM
Fan List
Keywords:
DHL (1), Alex Weiler (3), Echoroom (12), trash (6), punk (106), nostalgia (16), they stole my childhood (1)
Description:
The 80's revival starts here!

So, Dick Langford and Richard Marris posted a wonderful 80's-feel track called Motorcycle Girl a while back, and I asked to sing on it. I also suggested Alex Weiler get involved as he's a whiz at electro-type stuff.

My initial idea was to cover Dick's song as a cross between 'Abba and Kraftwerk'. Alex did a remix which sounded like this, but also sounded like it could be a hi-energy disco anthem, so we moved on.

Anyway, Alex worked away at the tune and it evolved so much that I didn't think the original lyrics quite fitted, so ended up writing some new ones.

So, this song is basically Dick and Richard's 'Motorcycle Girl',(Richard wrote the track and played guitar) with the music revamped and remixed by Alex, and lyrics rewritten by me.

Check out the original on Dick's page.

Lyrically, this version is about people using nostalgia to sell stuff ... a personal loathing of mine is Sandi Thom's song 'I wish i was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair', because it takes something very precious to me, misses the point, and sells it as a breezy pop song,


Hmmm, so there's some irony that this sounds very 80's!

thanks to Dick and Richard for letting us mutilate their baby, and a big thanks to Alex for working so hard on this collab.

steve

Lyrics:
Always someone who was never there
Wants to suck out the cool.
Take the money, fake a punk commercial
Sell the best part of your youth.

Second to second, the love will slip away
77, 30 years today.

So
Take the flowers from your hair and
Put 'em back in the trash.
You change the weather, make the ending better
But nostalgia rapes your past.

Second to second, the love will slip away
77, 30 years today.

Do you remember when the song meant something?
Junk poets tapping all your wires.
Take the kid, say his name,
it all sounds the same.

Shining magpie takes the jewel
Steals the better part of you ...



Hardware:
Lots of mac and Dicks guitars

Software:
GB3, LP8
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Electrofriend! &mdash 02/05/08 - 02:48:15 PM
What a groovy work of art!

I'm sure you've heard it a million times before, so I'll say it again, your vocals are so amazing and Alex's brilliant "Martin Gore Ate Florian Schneider" sound has just blown me away. And I thought Motorcycle Girl was as good as it gets!

Phenomenal!

You copy that?

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Hey Uncle Bob.. &mdash 02/06/08 - 12:01:50 AM
... firsties!

Alex sure is a piece of (kraft)werk, isnt he - I knew he'd get this song as soon as I heard it.

I'm off to get a flock of seagulls haircut ...

s

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hair-dress &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:18:15 AM
... and i will get a Alan Wilder blow-dry hairstyle.

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i copy that &mdash 02/05/08 - 02:49:21 PM
what a rework!

I think you pretty much blew my mind here.

Now I'm going to have to clean up my brains up off of the floor. This isn't the first time you know.

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Copy cat &mdash 02/06/08 - 12:03:52 AM
Er, hope you didnt mess up the carpet too much, roboVic.

That'll stain terribly, especially the chalk outline.

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What a massive &mdash 02/05/08 - 02:55:28 PM
production. So much to take in in one listen - on my second now.
My first instinct was right MASSIVE.
What a majestic song, you copy that?
I think I will be listening to this very avidly for a very long time to come. You are amazing. Great contributions also by Dick and Richard of course.
Cheers
Len




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Production &mdash 02/06/08 - 12:07:10 AM
Alex did all the production work on this, so anu=y kudos must go his way, and it took him a loooong time. He has a really unique style which i love.... we'll definately do more stuff in future.

Thanks Len

s

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flowers in the trashcan &mdash 02/05/08 - 03:06:48 PM
great lyrical idea, to start. A lot of us can relate to this I guess. I remember when the songs meant something, certainly (and when some who meant nothing were good as well). The track is impressive, sounds way more powerful and larger than anything from the eighties. The end is really cool.

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Sex &mdash 02/05/08 - 03:50:24 PM
pistol!

Glad to see you got the 'God save the queen' reference ... it's not stealing , it's post-modernism!

s

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As always &mdash 02/05/08 - 03:37:56 PM
You amaze me and this is too good... Did I say too good I meant this is excellent I really love it....Kudos.

Take care
---
Kenta

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Too good? &mdash 02/06/08 - 12:11:22 AM
never! Thanks Kenta - really liked your new track with ML - knockout lyric!

s

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It weren't me!! &mdash 02/05/08 - 03:54:17 PM
I didn't play guitar on this, it was Richard Marris. All I did was to arrange the first version. Mr Marris also wrote the original melody so I can't even claim bragging rights on that.

I feel like a fraud :-)

Excellent job guys, but you knew that anyway.

Cheers

Dick

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TOP DRAWER STUFF &mdash 02/05/08 - 04:07:12 PM
Well done.



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Fake &mdash 02/06/08 - 01:42:42 AM
You posted this under false pretences!

I havent spoken to Richard, so please thank him for letting us trash his track.... though i do missing your sawf landan accent on this ... i was gonna try to sing like that, but it just woulda sounded more like Bowie!

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ooops &mdash 02/06/08 - 01:44:11 AM
repaly under graham (steck) - thanks Graham btw!

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Good stuff! &mdash 02/05/08 - 04:30:42 PM
Bowie lives .. oh yes, he's still alive isn't he .. you know what I mean!

Great bed, astounding singing, excellent lyrics - pure class. Production is also about as good as it gets.

Thanks!
Neil

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Hey neil &mdash 02/06/08 - 01:46:26 AM
I can protest about the Dame all day, but i knew this was skating even closer to his territory than i normally do!

Thanks for the comments -production was all down to Alex, buried in his place in germany ..... maybe we could do this as a eurovision entry!

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Eurovision &mdash 02/06/08 - 04:44:26 PM
That would certainly add a little much needed street cred to Eurovision!
:)

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80s? &mdash 02/05/08 - 05:05:53 PM
The 80s never sounded this good....this is new and refreshing electro-rock...part of that Space Age Punk I keep hearing here at MJ...this is the latest of the newest Rock movement originated here at MJ and soon to appear at a local music station near you... ask CJ & Jim...

Kick ass track Steve, you and the boys really kicked it into overdrive on this one, Modern yet essentially Rock n Roll, doesnt get any better...
TW

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Space boy &mdash 02/06/08 - 01:48:43 AM
Thanks Tom - this does fall in with the work CJ does - I thought so myself, funily enough.

Alex asked me how the bridge ('Do you remember') should sound and I said;

The Killers

... but its probably more depeche Mode overalll.

Without the leather dresses.

s

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77 trash &mdash 02/05/08 - 05:06:43 PM
is a cool song ..I liked the singing here .
great colab my friend ..welldone !

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Trashed &mdash 02/06/08 - 01:50:51 AM
Thanks feter... really been enjoying your work with DA lately ... keep it coming!

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Holy crap! &mdash 02/05/08 - 05:07:09 PM
This is great...this has a great early Depeche Mode feel and I dig Depeche Mode!

It almost reminds of a track out of Labyrinth. What can I say I love the 80's and you hit it spot on. Perfect 10!

Tobin

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DM &mdash 02/06/08 - 01:55:06 AM
Yeah, this sounds very like them Tobin.

Labyrinth - I think i;ve seen bits... not Bowies finest hour ... those tights!

Dont forget to send me Believe This so we can work on that soon

steve

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Love the lyrics &mdash 02/05/08 - 09:14:05 PM
because it bugs me when somebody tries to sell me my own past! And I love the music. Great electro-pop sounds, and terrific mix. Listening on headphones and everything just sits perfectly. Great placement in the mix, with the whole space used. Your vocal performance is outstanding - your voice gets stronger and richer with every track, it seems like. This is pro-sounding, but much too good for the radio. Love it. Kudos to everyone involved. Peace.

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Pro! &mdash 02/06/08 - 06:56:54 AM
Hey david - well, we're just running to jump the bar that you keep raising.

I was a bit unsure about doing something so obviously 'retro', but loved the song and loved what Alex did to it... anyway, music is so influenced by all eras, this probably sounds contempory now!

Cheers

steve

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Great sound &mdash 02/05/08 - 11:29:55 PM
Your voice really fits this style. This track came out great and is very convincing of an popular 80's tune. I can almost picture a cheesy MTV video now!

Thanks for sharing.

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You want cheese with that &mdash 02/06/08 - 06:59:25 AM
Hey Nick - yeah, Alex and I could be the new Soft cell, him behind the keyboard and me mincing about in front of the mic - we could be the new Sparks!

s

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nice picture ... &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:11:47 AM
... you will cut a good figure as a fontman, steve. And I will hide behind walls of synthesizers.

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80's Flashback! &mdash 02/06/08 - 01:41:58 AM
Didn't you used to sing in Bauhaus? I can imagine being back in my old school disco in 1985 listening to this...drinking cheap cider and working up the nerve to approach that girl I had a crush on!
I used to live near Bedford...the town where Goth never died. They would love this track in the local goth pub The Bear!
Cheers for sharing
Steve

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I'm Moving To Bedford! &mdash 02/06/08 - 05:52:23 AM
Great News!

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he's in parties &mdash 02/06/08 - 07:01:36 AM
OOOh , i used to love bauhaus - had 'mask' painted on my schoolbag ... and saw them at brixton academy last year - they were excellent!

Steve, if we duet sometime, we could have the ultimate deep voiced goth song!!

Thanks for stopping by!

steve

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goth duet &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:05:04 AM
Inform me!

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Awesome .. &mdash 02/06/08 - 05:05:21 AM
.. really, really top notch. Concept/lyrics are great .. authentic sounding .. wow .. Alex really is a whizz with the electronica.. catchy. I think you guys succeeded with the hints of Abba & Kraftwerk ..with some Depeche Mode too .. and more Depeche Mode/Bauhaus pull from your (as usual) excellent vocals.

The use of pulsing synth bass is what makes this.

Mixwise .. this is a huge undertaking and I think nearly all the instrumentation is spot on, so I don't and won't forget that.. sometime the vocals come across a little 'hot' to me and in combo with the distorted effect, the bit at 3:29 got a bit shrill for my ears to be honest... and I might consider bringing DWLs guitars up a smidge for those bits starting around 1:29 (2nd listen)

Minor nits (needless to say) in an otherwise totally mind-boggling post. Downloaded.

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Mix master &mdash 02/06/08 - 07:05:40 AM
We spent about 2 weeks back and forwrading mixes - alex doesnt have studio monitors, so this was a nightmare for him. This also has 50 tracks, so i dont wanna even begin to think how he managed to get it to this state. We spent a looong time tweaking vocal levels, and kinda breathed a sigh of relief when we got to this mix. His synth arrangements are very complex and very rich, also there are a lot of drum style changes ... bit of a beat all in all .... and I kept him waiting 4 months for the vocals (sound familiar!).

Great job on the Craft track btw.

s

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desperate mixing master &mdash 02/06/08 - 08:58:31 AM
indeed it was an extended nightmare, I've painfully experienced the limits with my equipment ... means that I had to check every slider movement or mixing step on two different stereos and my headphones to get a vague impression of the result. But studio monitors are on the way ...

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That's weird... &mdash 02/06/08 - 06:58:33 AM
I've been reading this book called *Radical Artifice* (a long, convoluted read on poetry in the age of media). Anyway, I was just reading the section on the selling of nostalgia, how we're sold "goodness," "purity," "the good old days," etc, by way of television commercials, which are image-centered and are all the opposite of those things: "nostalgia rapes your past." That's a fantastic lyric!!!

Yeah, you're singing an anti-nostalgia-selling song in eighties style, but I don't think it's trying to sell us the eighties. I don't get that from this. I think you've just picked up on some of the styles and run away with them. That's artistically just fine with me!

I like it!

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Marketing overload &mdash 02/06/08 - 07:10:37 AM
I guess the pinnacle of this idea is the Che Guevara t-shirt and poster .... how many people who have the t-shirt understnd the concepts and philosophy behind the image?

Same for me with punk ... the original idea and spirit gets sanitized, and looking back is never the same as having been there.

i actually think the 'shining magpie' vocal sounds like Oasis, another past-referential band.

And I've started mixing on our track ... so hopefully done in a few weeks....

LOL

steve

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ooh! &mdash 02/06/08 - 10:14:32 AM
I can't wait!

Oh, and you are after Carlos' and my hearts with seeing the irony of mass marketing the image of che guevara!!! He comments on that all the time!

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don't mess &mdash 02/06/08 - 07:42:50 AM
with euro trash.....u guys nailed that synth pop 80's sound......but thomas dolby did'nt as good as this.....long live the 80's!!!!

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Trash! &mdash 02/06/08 - 11:45:21 AM
Hey MB - thanks for checking us out... I'm off to crimp my hair!

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right then steve &mdash 02/06/08 - 07:53:07 AM
how cool is this?? ... very. great song... wonderful vocals! did indeed love the ending... hats off to all ... very nicely done!!

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HiJack! &mdash 02/06/08 - 11:47:04 AM
Thanks for the comment ... btw, dod you keep posting songs and deleting them... i get some odd messages these days!

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What a beauty! &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:14:00 AM
First of all it sounds like you are using a really great mic!...;-)

Second, I love the premise of the lyrics. The music has done a great job of capturing the era, but with a technical prowess (bravo Alex! 50 tracks? man, I'm glad I didn't have to mix that one!) that goes well beyond what most producers were doing at the time. A really complex and moving score. Traveling now, so the P-book speakers were all I had, but it totally rocks them.

Great collab guys!



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50 tracks &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:45:18 AM
a professional would smile at this. steve's part took at least 12 tracks ... my synth basses took 7. Needless to say that my g5 was on it's last legs, my scroll-wheel-finger got blisters and i had few problems finding bugging notes ;)

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Mr PVD &mdash 02/06/08 - 11:49:29 AM
Yup, I used the new mic on this and its great! Nice of you to drop in 'cause I know your busy.

Did you llok at cars - I pick up a BMW 3 series on Friday - rock n roll .... not.

And i promise not to hassle ya about In the Stone . ..

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80's revival... &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:33:17 AM
Impressed, listening this masterpiece, I guess all the work for this result, very pro ! Talented collab. Bravo Steve, excellent vocals, bravo Alex, excellent production, it's a really a pleasure to listen.
Thank you all, included Dick and Richard...
Marc

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Guitartist &mdash 02/06/08 - 11:51:41 AM
It kinda humbles me that someone who makes such beautiful music as you do actually listens to the racket that i make ... Thank you Marc for your constant support.

steve

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I used to have a.... &mdash 02/06/08 - 09:34:41 AM
...Flock Of Seagulls haircut, and an album (actually it was FOS on top and Chris Waddle circa mid '80's Spurs at the back - which won't mean a lot to most people but believe you me it was the king of hair-do's in our school I can tell ya.......)

Anyway, back to the music...well...there isn't really much left to say. It's very very good. The production is one of the finest I've ever heard on here, and the vocal & lyrics are bob on. I think you've upped the anti a bit with this, and you're making it very hard to follow.

Congrats all round -
Phil



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Wow &mdash 02/06/08 - 11:54:53 AM
You gotta send some pictures.

I had a full ian McCulloch crimped backcombed leaning tower of hairdo and looked a complete tit.

I didnt take my sunglasses off for two yaers at college.

seriously!

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really amazing &mdash 02/06/08 - 06:22:53 PM
this is so good. musically, vocally, lyrically. you've really outdone yourself on this one. i can really relate to this as well. i get in arguments with my wife (who used to have really good taste in music until she started working at a major label) about the vitality and originality lacking from so much music. and it's not the musicians fault. there are plenty of great artists out there, it's the labels: identify a potential profit and exploit it until it's just watered down crap. if people hear it enough, they'll start to enjoy it despite themselves.

anyways, i digress. this is a fabulous song steve. job well done.

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Group effort &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:05:44 AM
This really was a big group effort, and probably took over 6 months, mainly waiting for me to write lyrics and do vocals - for such a short lyric, it took ages to come together.

You're married to someone who works for a record company.... wow, what a dream girl!

steve

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~ &mdash 02/06/08 - 10:02:27 PM
:)

Awesome...always a treat when you put one out here...I loved the original...nothing mutilated here...transformed is more like it...

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Tranfsormers... &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:07:36 AM
... robo-song in diguise! Thanks Bob ... this had a long birth but was worth the slog hopefully!

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Kick ass &mdash 02/06/08 - 10:36:18 PM
I dig the music and the lyrics. Very creative. As always, the singing is top notch...just great singing man. Voice is sounding strong too. Great stuff. P.S., I know I'm way behind on that last groove tune, but life is pretty tight these days. Hang in there with me. I hope Dave isn't too pissed!!!!

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Hey Drew &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:09:24 AM
Phil got me a new mic, so that had a big impact!
No rush at all for the track... I'm pretty jammed at present, but it'll be worth the wait. I think dave feels the same, so no worries!

steve

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This is simply great... &mdash 02/07/08 - 06:53:30 AM
Every little bit of production, the synths, the bass line, the triangle, the vocals... Everything has its place and purpose...

Great song...

Ed

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Thanks Ed &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:12:08 AM
When you gonna post something new?

I tend to structure things simply, whereas Alex can be pretty out there... the structural changes to the original are his, and add to the song greatly. The joy of these caoolabs is everyone adds something of their own that makes the song better.

steve

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structures &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:48:07 AM
one of the things steve taught me is that a proper song structure is very useful ;)

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ER is always great &mdash 02/07/08 - 10:21:32 AM
Beautiful sound. Absolutely brilliant. I have nothing to say.
LL

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Ta LL &mdash 02/08/08 - 02:03:28 AM
nuff siad! Thank you!

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Man this good &mdash 02/07/08 - 07:23:21 PM
every aspect is just top notch. Steve - your vocals have never sounded better and the arrangement add mix on this puppy is fantastic. And 77 was my year - it's when NYC came of age for me - it took 5 years of being here - but it all clicked at the Palladium on New Years Eve 77 with Patti Smith - Television and John Cale on the bill. Great collab - hats off to all.

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77 &mdash 02/08/08 - 02:05:52 AM
77 is such an iconic year, and means so much to me.... its when i really got into music.

Thanks Bud.

BTW, alex sent me a pando apckage also, and i couldnt get it, so i'll try reloading the software and see if i can get it to work.

steve

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package &mdash 02/08/08 - 04:18:20 AM
an upload issue (2 times) ... i will start a third try.

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77 trash (with AW/DHL &mdash 02/08/08 - 12:55:02 PM
Hi

This is good you remind me of some famous singer but I cannot name him at the moment. I like this, its really good interesting and fun to listen too
Yeah I agree your Vocals are amazing. CB Radio sound you Copy that. I used to have a CB Radio too.

Lyrics Ecellent.

Dee

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famous singer &mdash 02/09/08 - 07:40:03 AM
... I plagued steve saying "it partly reminds me of The Mission." So, maybe you had Wayne Hussey in mind?

@steve: of course you singing is unique ;)

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Unique! &mdash 02/09/08 - 09:16:24 AM
C'mon - no ones mentioned Bowie yet!

Nice pic, Alex... you dont look like you're wincing in this one!

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pics &mdash 02/10/08 - 05:32:47 AM
grimacing and outtakes by habit, let's see how long i can take this ...

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steve &mdash 02/08/08 - 03:51:29 PM
...what's left to say? What I said. This is the total package.
-Walt

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Hey walt &mdash 02/09/08 - 09:19:52 AM
Nice of you to comment on my package - it IS total.

lol

s

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If Only... &mdash 02/09/08 - 07:04:52 AM
The Eighties sounded this good.

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Hey ZEE &mdash 02/09/08 - 09:22:43 AM
... the 80's... they are my preserved moose (Spinal Tap)... when i feel in love with music... the era never left me (or vice versa)

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diggin it &mdash 02/09/08 - 09:11:08 AM
I like the whole concept of this song! I feel that way to! a beautiful arrangement to this! You always make it sound so easy! Excellent!

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Easy &mdash 02/09/08 - 09:26:51 AM
Hey man, i havent mixed a song for 8 months, but am doing one now and its painful. Kudos to Alex for this.!

Love your growly new track btw!

steve

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Easy &mdash 02/09/08 - 09:26:58 AM
Hey man, i havent mixed a song for 8 months, but am doing one now and its painful. Kudos to Alex for this.!

Love your growly new track btw!

steve

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Excellence all around &mdash 02/09/08 - 12:57:54 PM
Those synths sound nice and fat and your vocals are perfect. Bowie couldn't have done it better. And Gary Numan can learn something from those synths. Great stuff!



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Ha! &mdash 02/10/08 - 01:23:32 AM
I'm off to see Numan do 'Replicas' net month.

thanx Vic.

s

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