Songs of 2025

Eleventh Hour 2025

WT 5-8-25

Klassenfahrt

How much love can this city give?
In the light of our present time, in which many forces focus on opposing each other, the band ALCATRAZ creates a sound that stands for unity and everlasting inclusion.
In this way, the two brothers Leo and Aaron reflect the zeitgeist of the Berlin in which they grew up. The cohesion of people, regardless of their background or personal orientation, is the foundation on which they build their love of music. 
A strong influence on both of them are the experiences they have had in this city since their youth. The emotional Italian upbringing that the two brothers have enjoyed is also evident in amore çok. These two so contrasting factors of urbanity and emotionality combine on amore çok to create an unmistakable atmospheric image of contemporary Berlin subculture.  
ALCATRAZ makes use of their typical Italo-Electro sound to create a work that conveys the values of cohesion and charity with a catchy vibe.

amore çok

Buy/Stream

ALCATRAZ  - amore çok (feat. Pashanim)

Huge Fucking Alex G Comp

Not Anywhere (Alex G)

Lars and John try a classic song by the Clash, "Guns of Brixton". 

Guns of Brixton (Lars) 1-5-25 v2

A second attempt at the Norah Jones song "Staring at the Wall". On this version I overdubbed the piano part that is in the original song. Thanks Chris D for the keyboard pointers!

Staring At The Wall (WTJB) 1-8-25 v1.3

A second attempt at The Clash song "Guns of Brixton". I played electric guitar and sang with a drummer and then overdubbed bass. This cool song has a hypnotic groove. 

Guns of Brixton (WTJB) 1-8-25 v1.2

My second attempt at the song "Naked Eye" by Luscious Jackson, and my first attempt with a drummer. This song has an infectious groove on the chorus. The all-female band Luscious Jackson were ahead of their time. 

Naked Eye (WTJB) 1-8-25 v1.2

A cover of the Rollings Stones song "Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" from 1973. Hard to do justice to the original song (with its cool Billy Preston clavinet), but it is fun to play. 

Heartbreaker (WTJB) 1-8-25 v1.2

Tried an original song about longing for home. WT on drums and Chris on keys. Fun to dig into the roster of recent songs to try out a deep cut. 

Knoxville (WTJBCD) 1-15-25 v3.3

benno! - Dein Mann Freestyle

I made a first attempt at Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage->Eclipse" from Dark Side of the Moon. I played the song on acoustic guitar rather than electric guitar which is used on the album. I overdubbed bass and also harmonies. The song "Eclipse" has a whole choral backing section and I did four vocal overdubs (including some acapella acrobatics) to approximate the sound. Then I had my friend WT overdub drums. The drums add so much to the chorus. I'm grateful to her! It was fun to try a less covered Floyd song. 

Brain Damage-Eclipse 5-6-25 v1.5

Progressing with this original song called "Mr. Blue". WT on drums, adding to the funk vibe of seventh chords played on a Telecaster. I overdubbed midi bass with a Fender plug-in. I changed the lyrics somewhat from earlier takes, and also added a bridge section. This song is fun to play.

Mr. Blue (WTJB) 5-8-25 v1.2

Trying new song ideas with killer WT on drums holding it down. This is a two chord vamp, G to F and then it goes to a B part that is B C D. Has a bit of a dissonant vibe on the B part. I need to work on lyrics. But the drums... Listen closely people.

Which Way To Go (WTJB) 5-8-25 v2

Workshopping a new song idea with WT on drums. It's got some jazzy chords that might be cool or might be soft rock schlock. There is a fine line between charming and awful. The lyrics are also a first pass. But hey, gotta start somewhere. 

Road Ahead (WTJB) 5-8-25 v1

Pretty much improvised original song, played with WT on drums. I was trying some unusual (for me) chord voicings that threw me off a bit. I also don't really have clear lyrics yet or a solid chorus structure. This is more of a sketchpad doodle for to refer to later. 

Get Ourselves Free (WTJB) 5-8-25 v1.2

Track taken from the album "Pablo Honey" by Radiohead (1993)

Radiohead - Creep (slowed)

Acoustic guitar; folk; Americana; jam band influences; blues; rock; old time; bluegrass; grungey stuff. Even some electro and EDM vibes occasionally. I play a wide mix of music with a lot of different people.

Brain Damage-Eclipse 5-6-25 v1.5

John Britton