Back in the late nineties and early naughties, Scott, Jack(JohnYourMate), Pete and Mike made some noise under the name theGrandScheme. It was fun and the music was good. Tides was one of the first songs we went into the studio to record after we became a full band. Recorded in Escapade Studios in Greenwich. One of the favourites when we played live. Enjoy.

theGrandScheme - Tides

John, Pete and Leigh sat in a smoky haze in a coffee shop in Amsterdam and decided to start a band. Named after the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in the same city we did over a hundred rehearsals and not a single gig. This track was on of three we recorded in a tiny studio in Barnet. Seven Decades in Sun refers to the amount of time you have on the planet so you better make the most of it. Play it nice and loud please!

Words:
When the starlight has faded
You stare down the barrel
Of life’s smoking gun
Looking back in the mirror
See all past potential 
Get smaller then gone
Panic buying more time just in case
So my regrets don’t replace my frustrations
Giving up looks an option
But it’s not the option
You once thought it was

Far ahead live on the run
Seven decades in the sun
Time to live, time’s ticking on
Hammer falls
Down it comes
Time will come
Seven decades in the sun

There’s a side to the story
Concerns everybody 
But it’s never told
Cutting edge of emotion
Can bleed you unwanted
And leave you alone
Stocking up on the karma
That’s needed
Keep away from the fear
That is feeding
Look around you it’s easy 
To see that we’re sailing
All on the same boat

Everybody wants the perfect life
The car, the house, the kids, the wife
Someday you’ll leave it all behind
Everybody wants the perfect life
The car, the house, the kids, the wife
Someday you’ll leave something behind

Hammer falls
Down it comes
Time will come

Barnet Demo

Krasnapolsky - Seven decades in the sun

One of my favourite 'scheme tunes. By this time we were getting our sound and harmonies just right. Came out of our second set of recording sessions at Escapade Studios in Greenwich. Hope you like.

theGrandScheme - Towards the light

This was one of the first songs I ever wrote so myself and Pete the Dutchman dusted it off and gave it some new life after the end of the 'scheme. Nice and mellow. Turn the lights off and sit in the dark and think about life. The title itself comes from the movie The Shawshank Redemption 'Get busy livin', or get busy dying'. Wise words.

Lo Cargo - Get busy livin'

A back in the day tune from the naughties. Recorded and performed live by theGrandScheme at the Hope and Anchor in Islington, London - one of our favourite venues. An early song I wrote and actually sing lead on. Backed up my some lovely bass and percussion thanks to Pete and Mike. Scott adds some nice harmonica, harmonies and extra guitar.

theGrandScheme - See the sun from the other side (live)

A track from the Scheme's third studio recording. Has a nice 70's feel to it. Great days.

theGrandScheme - Livin' it slow

An old track written by the Dutch that we revamped with Lo Cargo. Added acoustic guitar in the new version. The Dutchman provided the vocals on it. I liked it when I first heard it but this version had a bit more structure but kept the vibe of the original.

Lo Cargo - Homecall

A back in the day track from the 'Scheme's second Escapade studio recording way back in 2003. I really love the harmonies on this song - it's something we did really well.

theGrandScheme - Hope it's enough

A back in the day tune, this time theGrandScheme cover of the awesome Godley and Creme song, Cry. When we played this live we blew the roof off. It really rocked, one of the songs I really enjoyed playing on in front of an audience. Recorded at Sphere Studios (where Queen used to record), a proper big studio.

theGrandScheme - Cry

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6D8wvAB5HyhO4GRr3I56Jp?si=9AxgsAo0S4md-PnSg5GqQA

Liner notes:
I dusted off an old recording of a snippet of a song from theGrandScheme rehearsal days. It was just Scott and a synthesiser and there was verse, chorus and a bit of middle eight. I took his ad libbed lyrics and incorporated them. I always really liked it so I fleshed it out and turned it into this. Enjoy.

Written, performed and recorded by John Your Mate and mixed and mastered by Gary Brady at Total Thrive.

Words:
Here we are as the end credits roll on our life
When you look I just got a stuck in your eyes
Fall asleep in the glow of the TV
Stealing watches like I'm stealing some time
 
I don't pretend to have all the answers
Never was too clever at all
But before I go you must know that
I never really cared for you at all

I'm wasting my time
Drifting, falling, too tired to fake it 
Wanting the love to begin
Yourself, my love
It's not what you think it is
Love is a lawless night
 
The polaroids are fading slowly
Of all the things that you always tended to be
I don't pretend to have all the answers
Never was too proud to admit you see
Oh but you loved me anyway
Can't understand why
Being in this moment again
Cos living in the past too much can do more wrongs than rights
 
But you never wanted to know me
I have a one true love and light to see
Oh my dear I still am waiting for some sign from you that you still care
And I know its not that easy to be with me, you were hurt but were unfair

Human in Progress

Mike Post (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0iTjAz2nRdDbVg56n2tg69?si=EzorckfkS4edztGOlxhj8w

Written, performed and recorded by John Your Mate and mixed and mastered by Gary Brady at Total Thrive.

Lyrics:
She dont wanna die tonight
The steps she treads she's done too many times 
Listen hard to the stars
Rushing through her heart and wrapped her oldest scars
Put another record on
The crackle of an old familiar song
Draw a line and start again
Needle in the groove
Ride all the holy roads
 
He just wants to fly tonight
He's spinning high above excited towns
Drum to another drum
The tunes will split the air and ground apart
He dont wanna fear no more
His past is new streets shining in his eyes
He is not a passenger
Driving to his doubts
Pushing horizons
 
Turn it on
 
I don’t wanna fight
The are no fights tonight
I just wanna fly
High up into the night
I just wanna cry
On leather cracked and dry
I just wanna voice
To realise my choices
 
Turn it on

Turn it on (Full song on Spotify)

An old rehearsal song from a band that never did any gigs that I liked and have tried to breathe new life into. Master and mixed by @gary-brady at Total Thrive Productions.

Words:
The light is reflected through a lens and burned on
As a snapshot in time
Turn the pages, see the ageing faces
That put the dead into line
 
It’s up to you
It’s up to me
We’ll take it down to the wire
The starting gun won’t hold you up
 
Don’t try hard to fight
The battles won you know that could have stopped the war
Only God knows
 
The past lies all chequered, a chorus for the ages 
So leave those flags far behind
All these maybes, they just drive me crazy
Just beat the clocks down to size
 
Do you hear me? Am I speaking in tongues?
You think I’m a joke
But the joke’s on you
What goes around you son of a gun
I’m not coming alone
A duo, not a solo
Walk in calm solitude
I dig your son of a gun

Down to the wire

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1jA5ujYoxiQcZbvpTNBmJk?si=fa2OZTKiRNOeGLFKUEuREA

Written, performed and recorded by John Your Mate and mixed and mastered by Gary Brady at Total Thrive.

Words:
I was lost for 24 years
And all of these pastures were new
Keys and the locks like hearts torn in two
The promises slipped from my view

I can’t be that strong
At five on the morning
I hear that breathe
I know that you’re thinking
Of all the shitstorms
At five in the morning
When your heart is racing
I know what you’re thinking

Paid the cost and shed all the tears
Cos time has its tolls to go through
Down below the cities are queued
The world now burns brighter for you

You only live once
So get the f*** up
And let's get unstuck
You only die once
So shut the f*** up
And make your own luck

Shitstorms, shenanigans and slapdowns

I know what you're thinking (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6P9ApUxexwEQbHXOcdDM9A?si=47U75Z3LREGuPrnk1y5B7A

Liner notes:
A cover version from the 1992 album Hipocrisy is the Greatest Luxury by Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. The singer Michael Franti has always been a musical hero to me. I used to listen to the album on the way home from a late shift at work when the streets were empty. I urge anyone to check out the album, it's an early nineties masterpiece. 

Mixing, mastering, tinkering and extra instrumentation by Gary Brady at Total Thrive.

Words:
We all dress in black all all look so lonely
and contraceptives don't get used by the horny
you can't find the key to the door in your building
but are you still winning
the responsibility becomes an afterthought
when one remembers the things that they should've bought
there's no pretending that you forgot
must everything in life have political ramifications
even taking kids on vacation or having a simple operation
but my friend one day told me that sometimes
it takes a grown man a long time to learn
just what it takes a child a night to learn
and my girls proved his words
 
Water pistol man full of ammunition
squirtin' out fires on a worldwide mission
but did you ever think to stop to squirt
the flowers in your own backyard
 
for all my faux pas I never said excuse me
was the simplest things that always confused me
I never stopped I never looked both ways
must it always a tug of love between friends and work
hope to learn the meaning of the word jerk
before it happens to a rope round my neck
let's build a bigger telescope
so that we can see things more up close
farther away from where we really are
I was up the whole night before
reading books about places I'll probably never go
and those aren't good things to know about
 
when I feel with my heart, I know in my mind
I should say with my lips
but don't does that make you feel upset?
The power of one man seems like a small squirt
when he aims at the flames of the whole earth
but the fire starts at home...

Water pistol man (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5yVfgyHcGrot9JxH3c14iQ?si=T63osgrXS3WCJwqgDV7MxA

A song for the weekend.

Words:
I was raring to go for all these years 
I can’t see through the wood for all these trees 
Hey though, no need to be concerned
All I need is the right moves not the wrong turns
 
It’s the weekend
Forget the grindstone
Keep your head above 
The holy water 
 
Pay attention to all the good times  
Being normal is not so boring
Hands up or run for cover
All I need is a nudge you push me over 
 
Every day 
It’s a little bit better 
Every step
It’s a little bit better 
Each hour 
Is a little bit better 
Every day 
Is a little bit better

Weekend (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6doyAWuDRJDI9OJO91DoSY?si=joBPsW5eQNq7JUkMzl2a-Q

Song number 3 from the new batch. A straight ahead rocker more or less. Play loud if you please.

Remix posted 14/02/2020

Written by me, John Your Mate. 
Mixing, mastering and tinkering by Gary Brady at Total Thrive.

Words:
There are no sides to all these stories
There are no right only less wrong ways
You've stacked your indiscretions
scattered apologies

I wish we were perfect strangers
Rewrite all our histories
I'll identify the bodies
I can't deny it's messed with me
We're only human

We're older now and none the wiser
It's time to pack so pick your bags up
Keys to your destination
To who you used to be 

The world is blurry
Billions of minds in motion
A roomful for burdens
Scorched by the dance of emotions

One day we'll fall apart
One day we will play our part
One day

Perfect strangers (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/3WYtQPDzy6R4n9ox4QOM73?si=d2fVr82BTHeL_NyqEWtXyg

Liner notes:
A song about the passing of the years and looking forward to a brighter and more peaceful future. A mellow and rather laid back track. 

Written, performed and recorded by me, John Your Mate.

Mastering, mixing and additional instrumentation and general tinkering by Gary Brady at Total Thrive.

Words:
Pause the dawn and hold the light
This might be your best and last goodnight
Painted stone in broad brush strokes
and how they fade old monochrome

These years fell like wonderful dominos
One by one
We’ll live in a beautiful house
On a hill

Bolt the door, shut out the night
We may or may not make it out alive
Celebrate the ebbs and flows
Then speak a low hushed monotone

Canned all the laughter
Saved it for after
We looked on sunrise 
Over life's undertow

House on a hill (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/08bF7Rc0MTCNoLoIN2XnkH?si=w7xNOv4hRf6w9gP4K120TA

Liner notes:
A stonking rock song. One of my faves in terms of production and an anthemic chorus. Please do play this one loud. 

Written by me, John Your Mate. 
Mixing, mastering and tinkering by Gary Brady at Total Thrive.

Words:
When I fell from the stars to the earth 
I had no gifts 
But I landed feet first 
Closed the door on broken homes 
I ran from the sea
And I headed into the smoke

Spring is here again 
I know what to feel 
I know what to give 
Time will wash away 
Signs of entropy 
I don’t want to be in 
Unknown territory 
I have high hopes 

Time passed by and I camped in the sun 
I bore no grudge 
Searching for my next stop
All of the leaves on the ground are gone
I ran through the seasons
Made chances and rode my luck

Unknown territory (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/391dnXdNkdgn2f7fguOCbk?si=0lWIY3SsSdmg2pe7-i2dWA

What to say about this one? It's a fast, short and urgent rock song. As always play loud and strap yourself in.

Words:
We need life to sink our teeth in
Let it sting ‘til is starts bleeding
Drink it deep you had your fear it’s time you let it go
Your big steps can’t fit my feet in
Grab your faith and try to leap it
I don’t see the bus I’m hit by, hit by, hit by

Wake up sick and tired each evening
You don’t feel so hurt my feelings
Always whip yourself until your soul turns black and blue
You don’t think just follow orders
Fall asleep with your eyes open
You won’t see the bus you’re hit by, hit by, hit by

Don’t wanna sit in the back man
Wanted total control
Head down towards the bottom
It’s time to fasten seatbelts
All pistons throttled
One last look in the mirror

When the choirs start singing
Both my ears are ringing
We all need forgiving not permission
All the gears are shifting
Dead ends disappearing
Green lights to the roads to reinvention

One last look in the mirror (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/6uuCxUugjYHnabDnTp1ZSX?si=42eDyx9zQD-m-M1d2ZmbAg

Liner notes:
This is going to be the final song on the new album. As always, play very loud. Cheers, JYM, 23/11/19
Remix posted on 14/02/20

Words:
Wake up the end of the world is nigh 
When all the tunes the jukebox played 
You’ll go out on a high 
Have you mined all the secrets from the earth and what’s beyond? 
The holy grails and bibles that will try to sell you right and wrong 

Wait up there’s a twinkle in your blue eyes  
Cos all we’ve got is one star luck
We want our five star lives 
Celebrate all good times and be kind to yourself when down 
The money and the titles they won’t help you when you’re in the ground 

I want to see tiny acts of rebellion 
I want you to see you let yourself go now
Not when 

I want to see you let your guard down 
I want to see you set the world on fire
On fire 
I want to see you learn your lessons 
From bloodied knees to standing tall 

I’ll take a jump at the unknown 
Into the world

Tiny acts of rebellion (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/444hhbwn7XoNVKBAgoosZb?si=MLhjk2ElSDmkXXTj2LiL1w

Words:
Any time your kids have taught you something 
Any love that’s unconditional 
Any feeling put a label on it
Any peace no matter what the cost 

Any hope you have should keep you rolling 
Any dreams on which you hang your coat 
Any hate you have is gone by morning
Any place that you should just explore 

People are so strange when you know them 
They’re all the stars of their own one man show 
I need to find the peace of mind 
That make the troubles walk right past your front door 

Old Charlie Brown he wore a frown 
He taught new tricks to the old dogs 
He lined them up 
They pulled the rug
Reopen doors that already slammed hard

Old Charlie Brown he lost his crown
He turned his back on the old guard 
He built them up
They pulled the plug 
Reopen doors that already slammed hard

Any (Full song on Spotify)

Full song here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4M6Z11jKGhRyTkEbN9TYuS?si=JlechOiMSbmjvYw190h9dw

Words:
Nice to see you that you’re out now 
Been waiting out here 
But I been resting on my laurels though
My subtlety lost in broken bones 
Under this winter sun 
I could have worked the magic
More and more 

Oh across the sea the lights are blazing 
I can’t see past my bad luck 
I guess the game’s up 
I’m gonna run into the setting sun

Oh it’s nice to see 
A Life worth saving
Oh It’s just the shock of the new 
It’s just the shock of the new 
Washing over you 

Here we go again under thunderclouds now
Like a cannon firing at a distant foe 
I cannot seal up this lightening bolt
Zipped tight up in this box 
Cos I been locked up with the maddest dogs 

Oh on calmer seas the night’s amazing 
I can’t see from this mountain top 
I know the game’s up 
I’m gonna run into the setting sun

I tried so many times to get you out your comfort zone 
And all your worst desires 
Will take your mind 
Like you’re in mourning 
I got so many days that keep on coming 
On and on 
And I’m most sick of all 
This pedestal 
Scared to fall

Shock of the new (Full song on Spotify)

C90 - https://open.spotify.com/album/7fIJH6a5tnO2AIknnUZfPz?si=78XYfJy0Sta_vKGhuAtM0Q
Shitstorms, shenanigans and slapdowns - https://open.spotify.com/album/2zTiugXHAvLCa34cq7iCKk?si=gTNmvhySRrSl6v7oTxQyIQ

John Your Mate is an east London based musician, songwriter and full-time human being. I am here on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2BxIIE7Gd2caZT0r1MX0eG?si=xG4ZVXRcQHqz7e6UubK3mg

Inspired by the early nineties music of Brad, Satchel, Mudhoney, Sonic Youth, Slint and Stone Temple Pilots - to name a few - plus the soulful voice of the massively underrated, and much missed, Shawn Smith. 

Rocking and rolling with an independent spirit. Keep on keeping on.

John Your Mate

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