Bitter much? 

Here, I try out an electric guitar (but don't attempt chords) and even play a guitar solo. Let's never mention it again.

Yes My Friend

Never Laughing

Another sad one. Back to the old 'plucking one string' backing method as the chords were out of my league. Sad things were happening. 

Smile

Being all experimental and that. Not sure extended atonal humming was the best way to end it...

Cross to Bear

I'd just worked out how to 'bounce' tracks, thus a quite histrionic commitment to layering with the backing vocals, complementing (?) the highly-strung lyrics... rather an ambitious arrangement!

Distant

All I Have

More 'bouncing' and excitement with drums (!) and swoopy b-vox. One of my mum's friends called and left a message on the answer-machine during a take - I didn't notice until right at the end. I left it in. 

Really Want To

Dark Place

My guitar playing had improved a little, but my ability to use recording equipment had not...

Leave It Be

Those who preach hate and spread hate can only know hate and be hateful. At some point, you may be the focus of their hate. 

Hate is All Around(demo)

A million years ago (ok, twenty!) I started recording demos at home on a 4-track. I never really learned how to use it properly, or to play the guitar for that matter, but I enjoyed getting the songs 'on tape' of sorts. 

I didn't really go in for re-takes, so many of these songs feature bum-notes and unintentional sound effects including sirens, car horns and answer-machine messages...

Most of these recordings have small moments that make me cringe horribly, yet I'm still incredibly fond of them. They're a record of time and place for me, a better diary that I could intentionally write, and I'm oddly proud of their ramshackle-ness.

Lukas the Brave