As promised, new stuff is on the way in a variety of guises. Firstly, my second solo record is just about done, with only the sleeve to be completed. As yet untitled, the album is an 8-track, 43 minute electro-pop-disco-psych wonder, featuring contributions from Stuart Flynn, Alex White and Phil Sumner among others. Release date and other details should be sorted very soon (myspace)

Good news in Brakes land, too (myspace) We recently secured a deal with Brighton's very own Fat Cat Records, and wasted no time recording our as-yet-untitled third album. Recording and mixing took place up at Glasgow's Chem 19 studio, with ex-Delgados drummer Paul Savage at the desk. Fun times. I also pretty much completed my third solo record whilst I was up there, making full use of the studio's live room whilst Paul mixed the record in the control room.

In other news, Clowns (myspace) will be making their debut live appearance, supporting Eugene McGuinness at The Freebutt on November 4th. The night is a four-band bill, and we're on second.

Bodashes.
TW X

Amazing Restlesslist gig last night (myspace) It wasn't as if the omens were good. Alex popped down to soundcheck to mix the show, and was promptly and curtly dismissed by the inhouse engineer. A very rude man who actually turned out to be a rad soundman. The previous night we'd had a rehearsal of epic proportions, and come away from the studio with a gleaming new creation by the name of 'Shy Coconut Love Song' (don't ask)....a veritable stonker of a track; we debuted it last night at the end of the set, and it went down a treat. I actually can't contain my excitement at the thought of playing WITH The Chap on Friday. A very important band. I must also mention the fabulous restaurant Alex took me, Matty, Max and Sophie to last night after the show. Truly the very best Mexican food I've tasted this side of the atlantic, El Paso, just round the corner from the Bar and Grill, is as authentic a taste experience as you're likely to have in this country. The king prawn fajitas were delectable - fat and juicy, and the margaritas just the right side of face-puckering. Perfect.

And to top it all, midway through the meal Alex received a text bearing the best news I've had all year. Yes, we'd just discussed the various merits, or rather, non-merits of the Mercury Music Prize. Like when we were visited backstage at a show a couple of days before the 2002 nominations were announced, by a shady 'music industry insider', giving it all the wink-wink nudge-nudge about how we'd 'better book that night off' etc.... anyway, we'd barely finished lambasting the damn thing, when what do you know, they only go and give it to Elbow. I think I can now safely forgive them for the travesty that was 2007's shortlist - no ESP, no Field Music, etc.... For the prize to go to a band as wonderfully independent, original and downright good as Elbow is not only a revelation in this taste-holocaust of a decade, it is also a rare case of the award going to the right people. No question, their record pissed on the competition - what else was there that comes close to it? Radiohead? Estelle? Fucking Neon Neon?? Ummm, no. To top it all, the album was entirely self-produced, engineered by keyboardist Craig, and yet more remarkably, not two years ago the band found themselves without a deal at all, having been dropped by their former label, V2, after delivering the astonishing 'Leaders Of The Free World'. Warms the heart, eh?! Oh, and why aren't they headlining End Of The Road? I shall have to have words. Good on you, chaps! T X

I Dream Of Black is now available in the US on iTunes: see Better Looking Records

Stream the album at Last FM

Tracklisting:

1. Is It Wrong To Lose Faith In The Person You Used To Love?
2. The Runaround
3. Starry Nite 2
4. The Silence Stops Tonight
5. I Dream Of Black
6. This Is Just A Little Interlude...
7. Starry Nite 3
8. Will The Moon Ever Rise Again?
9. White Wave
10. Wartime Love/Solar Collapse

Lots of new I Dream Of Black reviews: read in full here Some Quotes:

The Independent: If you crave heady chin-scratchers ("Will The Moon Ever Rise Again?") in psych pastels, he makes sounds to swim in.

Aversion: White's solo work isn't just a case of a songwriter emptying third-rate cuts rejected by his band onto a vanity album. It's a distinct new direction and one of which he can be proud, because, after all, versatility means nothing if you don't deliver the goods in your various projects. Consider I Dream Of Black delivered goods.

Skyscrapper (NY magazine) I Dream of Black is an exquisite solo debut. A gorgeous album that leans heavily on Brian Wilson's lush orchestral pop-edelia, it's a homemade LP that sounds like it came straight off the beaches of California. Borrowing from both Pink Floyd's experimental ambience and The Beach Boys era-defining harmonies, I Dream of Black effortlessly bridges the gap between U.S. and U.K. psychedelia. Anchored by White's typically understated indie vocals, it's a sublime slice of contemporary British acid-pop. Like Wilson writing Pet Sounds in a Brighton bed-sit, White proves that this kind of orchestral pop music can come from anywhere. A beatific album of considerable depth and beauty...

Room Thirteen: It seems quite a surprise when the calming collection of pretty sonic creations comes to an abrupt end. Looking at the clock however reveals that almost 40 minutes have passed and the album has simply lost me in its dreamy world... 'I Dream Of Black' is a mix of intriguing and delicate tunes with a surreal edge that draws the listener in. It's a charming listen for any occasion and the tunes grow in strength on every listen due to their unconventional structures.

London Tour Dates: With I Dream Of Black closing with an eight-minute sonic exploration of what a solar implosion would sound like from Earth, it is clear Thomas White doesn't lack ambition in his art... Wilfully self-indulgent and unfashionably expansive, I Dream Of Black is full of layered synths and White's mantra-like vocals, giving a dreamlike quality to proceedings.

Beat Surrender: It has that hazy psychedelia that the band really explored so well on their third album last year, while also having a more folk leaning to it. Fans of his other bands won't be disappointed by this album...

Click Music: After listening to his brooding, masterful solo album you can see why he felt the need to get this music out of his head and into the hearts of others... Dark, downbeat but never depressing, there is a mystery and beauty throughout the record and you can't help feeling that every time you play it again you will discover something new.

Virgin Media Albums Of The Week: It's a mix of rocky riffs and mellow songs, from crowd-pleasing The Runaround to the smooth music hall sound and nostalgic lyrics of Wartime Love. At just over 37 minutes, it's a short album but best listened to all at once.

NME: Opening with the rolling, acoustic psych-folk of 'Is It Wrong To Lose Faith In the Person You Used To Love', 'I Dream Of Black' takes a gentle sonic swim through seas of reverb, washing up on shores of song that range from the sci-fi Dandy Warhols shuffle of 'The Runaround' to the Jim Noir-ish 'This Is Just A Little Interlude'

Plan B: The sound of a helpless romantic with a morbid fascination for dark noise sure can make for interesting listening... This is some black magic.

Atomic Duster: Although most of this stuff is pretty tender, there is definitely an element of something not being quite right, a rather fractured longing appearing to be at the heart of the matter. Intense and brooding, and not an easy listen, but certainly a rewarding one... With those darker shades, wearing sunglasses at midnight, and a knee length black raincoat in the mid-day sun... this is an album with a deeper being.

You should keep checking the Drift and Better Looking Websites for Thomas White news.

betterlookingrecords.com
(I Dream Of Black US release on iTunes)

driftrecords.co.uk
(I Dream Of Black on CD from their shop)

Stuff:

- There are still tickets left for the 'At Home By The Sea' Festival, at the Brighton Concorde II on the 8th and 9th of August (buy here) Acts include Camera Obscura, Chrome Hoof, Wild Beasts and The Dirty Cakes on the Friday, with Brakes, Shout Out Louds and Restlesslist on the Saturday. No excuse; it's going to be well fucking bum, so get down there!! The 'List will also be performing at Audio Brighton on the 22nd.

- Very good news on the Brakes front. More about that later.

THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED: I'll be lending my questionable drumming skills to the wonderful Cornershop for a couple of shows. We're doing Manchester's Heaton Park on August 30th and Newcastle's Gosforth Park on September 13th and their songs make me happy! 1life.uk.com

Yup!!! TW x

We arrive around five on the Friday, and already the main entrance is heaving with punters dragging crates of Tennents on sledges, security, Police and sniffer dogs, well, sniffing everyone out. We negotiate the 'Band Passes' office (along with the requisite mis-information), the security and the dogs, and find ourselves a nice spot a fair way away from the main site, in the White 4 camping field, of all places. Our tent is about a fifteen minute walk from the gates to the arena, which is yet another twenty minute walk from the arena itself, and after a vague unpack-and-settle we're ready to check the place out and head towards the gates, into the melee. Once inside the arena, we make plans to hook up with our pal, Joe, of 'Lean' fame (an old friend from Brighton) who has kindly organised us some passes for the weekend. We eventually meet up at the foot of a rather immense big-wheel. Joe and Jong-bassist Panda are in crazy festival mood, and feel the need to ride as many sickening attractions as possible before the inevitable press call. They shoot up into the air in a bungee ball thing and spin round on what can only be described as two huge 100-foot hammers hurtling round in circles, people strapped into cabins at either end. Just looking at it makes me queasy. They're quickly whisked off for their press session however, so we turn and head for the main stages, and the first bands of the weekend.

Surveying the line-up for the first night, it doesn't look promising. Scouting For Girls, The Wombats, Newton Faulkner, etc, etc... We're pleasantly surprised by a ballsy opening from Stereophonics, who walk on to fuck-all fanfare and launch into a hefty 'Bartender And The Thief', but after a few tunes, their sunglasses-rock starts to grate. Next we watch Feeder do their 'leeedle-bit-dull-take-on-the-Foo-Fighters' thing on the second stage, though it is kinda fun sensing that barely-contained excitement welling up in the crowd. After seeing quite enough of that, we snake our way to the Relentless tent, where Joe Lean and his merry men are playing later on. It's a wee stage, but sounds great, and they do well. After their show we blag yet more passes off Joe, this time for free drinks all weekend. Banzai! They have to head pretty sharpish for a show in Ireland the next day, so we say 'cheers' and 'bye' in that order. We head for our tent, a beastly 45 minutes walk, and get some sleep.

Saturday morning is an early start, by anyone's standards. We're woken by the dulcet tones of our neighbour, Kevin, and his posse from Airdrie. They're a lush bunch, and as we crawl from our tent around nine, we're presented with sustenance in the form of tasty sausage sandwiches. Charming fellas. Once back in the main arena, we nurse banging hangovers with a lie on the second stage field and a couple of ciders. The first band either of us are mad keen on seeing are dEUS, an awesome avant-garde rock group from Belgium. Sadly this means sitting through the turgid pop-metal of The Blackout, and the even more silly Rocket Summer. When dEUS finally take to the stage, it's in front of a painfully thin crowd, but they kick straight into 'Instant Street', followed by a seething, wonderful 'Fell Off The Floor, Man'. They're amazing, nothing less, and the tunes from their new record sounded fresh too. After all that, the cider's beginning to kick in, and I need a bit of shade. We head for the T-Break stage, where ESP/Brakes' tour-buddies The Hazey Janes are playing a little later. We're early, and actually catch a band from Australia, Running With Horses. I feel like I'm the only one in the audience who notices when they do a cover of Quasi's 'Tomorrow You'll Hide', but what the heck - they're a lush girl-boy two-piece, in the style of Scout Niblett (when she does her rockin' live thing), and they make me smile. It's not a long wait for the Hazey's, and when they start, the whole tent is a little pinned-to-the-back-wall by Andrew's scorching guitar sound. Possibly the best of the festival, their set is an out-and-out triumph. They sound, like, fucking AMAZING. Seriously, check 'em out - a new record is due any day now. After all that excitement, we decide to make our way back to the Relentless stage to wait for Chrome Hoof to kick off. I've not actually heard this band before, but I've read a bunch about 'em (mostly in Bizarre) and it's all sounded rather like something I might take a shine to. They begin their set with a robed druid guy reading fire-and-brimstone shit through an echoed-up mic. It's rather fitting. When the band themselves get up there, it truly is a sight to see. Mirrored, hooded cloaks, tripped-out make up, mental dancers, bassoons, saxophones, vintage synths - this band look GOOD. They sound amazing too - a mash of squelchy disco, doom rock, shiny brass, all under-pinned by a razor-sharp rhythm section. That they're sandwiched between toss masquerading as metal is hilarious. These guys are the heaviest fucking thing here, no bother. The rest of the day becomes a blur of cider and shit bands - need I draw yet more attention to the risible Pigeon Detectives....'nuff said - until the inevitable crawl back to the campsite, where sleep is needed and immediate.

Sunday begins with a series of frantic calls to find a contact for the British Sea Power boys. I manage to get hold of Phil, keyboard Wizzard, who in turn manages to blag us some backstage passes for the day. After he's set up his stuff behind the stage he's out there to meet us, and it's a pleasure to see him looking so well. I've not seen him since I drummed for them in February (and they headed off for three months 'round America)....anyway, he's in fine fettle and we all head into the main arena for a beer and a chat-ette. Sea Power are on after the embarrassingly shit Ting Tings, who arrive on-site with minutes to spare and play to a packed King Tut's tent. After a swift change-over, the boys are on, kicking off with the 'All In It' intro, complete with a 'waddle' from Phil. The band are on form, sounding good as ever, it's just a major disappointment when they're cut short before what would have surely been a climactic ending. They're understandably down back at the dressing room, but it's nothing the notoriously amazing T In The Park catering can't change. As we've managed to get this far, we try our luck on the blag, and actually manage a couple of roasts, a cheese board and some profiteroles. Sorts us right out. We actually manage to kind of ignore the fact that we're at a festival for the next few hours and just generally float about backstage on a sea of free booze, chat and, um, other things. That is, until the Winehouse takes the stage. I decide I kind of HAVE to see her, and while I shan't rip into the poor lass, this is just getting a bit sad. Between sojourns to the drum riser to quaff copious amounts of um, liquid, and curious visits to the backing singers (each time returning to the mic wiping her nose, errr....) she manages to sing half a tune, and while her band are an absolute pleasure to watch, her voice is shot, barely audible most of the time. In contrast, Kings Of Leon positively blast the crowd with a robust, heavy set. I've always admired them, songwriting and playing-wise, but today they blow me away. Stunning. Headlining the Sunday at T is a biggie, and is rightfully left up the old pros. REM are such an anomaly - basically coming from the same place as Mission Of Burma (and many other groups), over the years they've shoe-horned that sound into something utterly likeable, and whilst remaining Idiosyncratic and obtuse, they manage to create concise, appealing pop songs with some really rather beautiful twists and turns. After the headliners, the back-stage becomes a veritable zoo of fucked-up 30-somethings and all gets a little ugly. The music's over, most of the bands have left the site, time for bed, party's over. Back at our tent, our neighbours are having a wee swally, so we join in, and it's a lovely finish to the weekend. I'd really rather not go into our convoluted journey back to civilisation - needless to say, it was murder getting back to Glasgow, but worth every second. Bring on next year.

Well, me and the girl did T In The Park the other day(s), but hell, too much happened to get it all in here so I shall post a more in-depth review of the weekend in the next coupla..... this is just a quickie to say that the lovely folks at Cornershop (myspace) have requested my drumming skills for a couple of festivals over the summer. I'm chuffed to be involved, as ever. We'll be doing something in Manchester and something in Newcastle.... oh, and I'll be sharing a stage with The 'Quo for the first time in my life, which really is something!! More news when it happens. Ciao. TW x

We would like to extend our best wishes to Dorian and the rest of The Long Blondes. We had a blast with them at a festival in Turkey last year, and as label-mates of Brakes it came as a shock to us to read of his sudden illness last month. There is a more in-depth message from the band themselves on their myspace but he is currently in hospital in Sheffield and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. Love, T + A X

So, a brand new cover version of the Pet Shop Boys' 'Jealousy' is up right now. Go to the ESP Myspace to hear the sounds of the 1st of July 2008. It is very sweet indeed, we-thinks. It is also available for yr delectation at the Buffetlibre site along with the rest of the compilation. Enjoy!

In other news – Restlesslist (myspace) The debut LP, 'The Rise And Fall Of The Curtain Club' is out now in all good grocer's.

Stuart Flynn's Dirty Cakes (myspace) have been booked for the 'At Home By The Sea' Festival, which is being held at The Concorde II, Brighton, on the 8th and 9th of August (tickets) They will open Friday's (8th) proceedings in the main room, 'bout 7. The event will also feature sets from such new and exciting groups as Chrome Hoof, Restlesslist, Brakes, Camera Obscura and Shout Out Louds. Banzai!!!

P.S. I should just give a lil' mention to the new Cottonmouth Rocks 7" single, 'Witch Doctor'. It'll be out on the 14th of July, on the 'fast becoming extremely reliable' Drift Records (possibly just the website – I dunno, innit) ...anyway, it's bound to be lushatronic, so check the bad-boy out y'all!!! (myspace)

The Thomas White debut LP "I Dream Of Black" is out now. Available from the Drift Shop

Ships worldwide for £10 – delicious digipack (whilst stocks last!) Also at iTunes

Stream album track Starry Nite #2 at NME.com's Media Page

Preview tracks on Thomas's Myspace Info: Drift Website Here's what people had to say...

Just a quick one. On the 26th of this month, Brighton based psycho-cabaret-metal-showtune band The Dirty Cakes (as seen on BBC9's 'Come Dyke With Me') will be performing at The Water Rats in London's Kings Cross. The show will feature a revolving line-up of some of Brighton (and London)'s top bods, including:

Stuart Flynn (Vocals)
Max Earl (Keys/Bass)
Alex White (Drums/Keys)
Thomas White (Guitar/Drums)
Matthew Twaites (Bass/Keys)
Damo Waters (Drums)
Monster Bobby (Keys/Noise)
Marc Beatty (Bass/Keys)

BRING IT ON x

Good gig/album launch/dress-up last night with Restlesslist Despite The Hope kinda suckin’ as a venue, Vile Imbeciles properly ripped it up (they're at Belushi's in Brighton tomorrow if you missed last night), and I guess we had an ok show too. Well, it was rammed at least. Good on the Shindig! folks for having a third consecutive corker!!

In other recent news, ESP had a fucking storming night with Sparks at the conclusion of their 20 nights of insanity at the Islington Academy. We did the Hello Young Lovers show, and I have to say, the audience were particularly accommodating and lovely, considering the obvious number of total die-hards in attendance, and the fact that we hadn't actually played together since April. Lush evening (Photos by Kirstie in the Gallery)

In yet other news, I just finished my debut solo tour. A strange and brilliant experience – too many stories to tell, so I won't. I'll just say what a pleasure it was hanging with The T-T, and getting to air some of my tunes before the record comes out. The release date is now set for July 14th, with a digital single, 'The Runaround', out a couple of weeks before. Drift have done an admirable job on the sleeve, and nice wee reviews are starting to come in, so I'm happy! TW x

Update: The album actually came out on the 23rd of June.

Firstly, some lush footage my Dad took on a recent business trip to Tokyo. Check it out here ...and here

Secondly, thanks to all the folk who've been at the shows so far. It's been pretty quiet, but it's early days (my album's not out for a few weeks yet) and it's exam time. Anyway, we've had a great time so far, I feel like my singing's really going somewhere exciting, and we've still shows in Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Leicester, Guildford and Portsmouth... so come along!!!

Thirdly, I believe there are still tickets for the 'Hello Young Lovers' show at Islington Academy on June 11th. Sadly, ESP won't be getting any time for proper rehearsals before the show as I'm on tour till the 10th, so any ideas of a full run through of one of our records is kinda out of the question. Sorry, peeps! Anyway, it'll be a lush night, and from what I've heard, the rest of them have been ace so far, so be there!!

Also, on the cards is an imminent re-grouping of the popular punktry-funk-disco combo, Brakes. We shall be reconvening to begin work on our magnificent octopus. More nooz when it comes. TW X

You may see me about Brighton and the south east over the coming months, soaking up those rays through a full winter coat. It's just the kind of guy I am. On a serious note though, it's been so chuffing well hot these last few days – this morning felt like waking up in a tent at Glastonbury at 9 in the morning after mainlining Trill the night before with the singer from the Pidgeon Detectives – yes, THAT good!!! Lovely weather, by the way.

Anyway, I don't want a repeat of the fucking artrocker night a week or so back. Please, Brighton, PLEASE!!! ...you can do better than that. For starters, the 'List will be ripping it up at 12 in the afternoon outside Brighton library (yes, you heard it right – Jubilee Square, literally outside the new Brighton Library) ...on the 15th of May. That evening we'll also be doing the Revenge club (apparently playing on a penis-shaped stage – arf!!!) ...The next day (the 16th) we have an afternoon showcase with Moshi Moshi Records at 2 in the afternoon at the Albert, then I have two solo shows, first at PoNaNa (at around 8), then a really, really late one at the Komedia around 1am. See you there, and there, and there, and there… and there! TW x

...smells amazing when it's cooking downstairs. The new Chap album, 'Mega Breakfast', out this month, is, um, amazing! Buy it. There's a couple of new tunes up on their myspace for perusal – 'Ethnic Instrument' and 'Fun and Interesting' Brilliant.

But I Still Fucking Hate Jim Davidson… So, I'm 24 today!! Whatever. I'd like to take this pivotal moment in my life to start a Jim Davidson thread on the Myspace Blog Or rather, an ANTI-Jim Davidson thread. Ha, and ummm, HA! So, I think we're agreed – the guy's a fucking reptiloid. Also, just a little question of free speech here – how come so many people are censored on youtube/myspace and have their postings edited/withdrawn, when out-and-out racists like Sir Jiminy Cricket (and Manning and... et-shitting-cetera) are allowed to broadcast their small-minded, backward race-babble to the world?!! Please do not let his appearance in your town go without a hitch (he's touring a new 'show' right now). The man is vermin, and needs to be treated as such. His (and others') plight against the true integration of all races into this country is a pressing, worrying issue, and can be brushed under the carpet no more.

So the issue is more prescient than even I first thought. This whole thing brings up so many debates that really need to be had. Yes, Jim Davidson himself isn't particularly dangerous per se – it's the people taking what comes out of his mouth as verbatim and applying that to their reality that worry me. Myself and Alex used to work with a particularly racist individual, and when we finally came to hear a Jim Davidson tape some years later (which I bought for a 'laugh' at a petrol station – tee-hee!), it was like peering into the inside of this fellas brain – just the same hackneyed, small-minded observations, passed down from generation to generation. Don't want to get heavy, but at this point it's a good idea to check out Genesis P. Orridge's thoughts on the matter – "if humans are going to evolve any further, we need to get rid of this binary make-up, black and white, male and female – the need to attack what is different" – go to youtube and type in "soft focus" then follow the links to the Genesis P interviews. Amazing stuff, though it is RATHER heavy, and a bit of a digression from our original point. Anyway, I don't think the argument is about free speech/free country (which would surely be the angle JD would take) ...the point is, the younger generations growing up right now just don't hold his archaic, backward, racist, and ultimately wrong views. He is simply out of date! Who's the "Grandad"? TW X

Firstly, there are some fresh shots recently posted here: kymmo.com of ESP playing at Lyon In Rock (click on gallery then festivals) and Ninkasi Kao, Lyon, at the end of last year (click on gallery then concerts) Very lush indeed.

Secondly, I am currently watching E.T. – hey, it's a Saturday afternoon!!! Anyway, on the subject of 80's things (I'd forgotten both how crap the effects are, and how scary Drew Barrymore was as a kid actor!) ESP have been asked to contribute a cover of an 80's song to a compilation, the exact details of which I don't know at this moment. Any ideas – bearing in mind the only guidelines are that it has to be a song from the 80's?! Post your suggestions on the Myspace Blog

Update: The Rewind compilation including ESP's cover of Jealousy by The Pet Shop Boys is available as a free download at Buffetlibre

They do, believe me. In every way. It is just such a pleasure, on every level, to play on the continent. Apart from great venues and even greater crowds, we had the best meal of the tour in Lyon, on our day off. A small Italian place next to our hotel, me and Al opted for the Roquefort, apple and walnut salad, and we weren't dissapointed. The waiter even got his bass out from behind the bar when he realised we were a band (photo) The shows weren't bad either.

We had an absolute stonker in Vienna (Lyon, too) ....and supporting Ian Brown again was great, not to mention Matt and Damo stepping up to the 3-piece challenge at The Bataclan like true professionals (photos) After which we sprinted across town to be reunited with Al and play our own little headliner at Le Showcase. Brilliant. Can't wait to go back in the autumn.

More photos in the Gallery HERE thanks to Damo Waters.

Also, and this is a very tenuous tit-bit, me and Alex have begun preparations for the next intallment of ESP-ness. At present, the plan is to issue an EP of brand new material in the autumn, with a bunch of touring to accompany, followed by our fourth (!!!) LP proper. Currently un-titled, the EP will certainly feature new live-favourite 'Things Snowball' and 'We Don't Need To Fight Anymore', as heard on our myspace.

On a completely different note, we (myself and Chris T-T) are in the process of organising our May/June tour. The dates are up on both our myspaces, and we'll be looking for floors/spare rooms to kip on/in where possible. If anyone's feeling kind enough to help out, do not hesitate to contact me at my Myspace or the ESP Myspace Anyone providing a floor/bed will get as many guestlist places as they need at whichever shows they wish.

Many thanks, TW X

On the eve of our second European tour of the year (plenty more to come, me-hopes) here are a few titten-bittens from the last one - the end of "Broadcast" and the whole of "If That's The Case, Then I Don't Know" from the Munich show HERE

"Everybody Wants" from the Leipzig show HERE

"Have You Ever…?" and "Silent To The Dark" from Leipzig are already up HERE

Dresden and Stuttgart coming soon. Many thanks to Kirstie for uploading these. TW X

Charlton Heston is dead. Now we can take that fucking gun from his 'cold, dead hand'. Wanker. Everyone do a little dance now! TW X

Just arrived back in Brighton from my whistlestop tour of Manchester. Very good it was too. Marc Riley was an absolute sweetheart, as were all his producers and engineers. Lots of fun, and they even let me use their piano. After the session, it was on to the Night And Day for a hastily cobbled together gig. Despite a rather wee turnout, I thought I played a good hand, and there was muchos appreciation from the folk who were there, so job done I think! After the show, I was lucky enough to be given a floor to kip on by the lovely Cath Aubergine, who lives not ten minutes walk away. Come the morning, it was a bleary-eyed dash for the bus station, a sleepy four-and-a-half hours to London, then an extortionate 19 pound single back to Brighton. Privatisation really has a lot to answer for. Who is responsible? Who is accountable? In Manchester, a bus journey through the city centre cost me 50p. In Brighton, the equivalent would cost me 1.70. In Glasgow, a 50 minute train journey (including return) out to the coast, is around 6 quid. Triple that for the south of England. Someone explain that to me?! TW X

Such a well organised, fun, friendly tour!! Munich, Stuttgart, Leipzig and Dresden all blew us away, though Dresden was my favourite. Ferry home was a buncha laughs, as was getting Damo on a train just in time, but we got there in the end, and are now safely ensconced back at home.

Anyway, I must extend a massive "TA" to all involved in the Jagermeister Rock Liga, especially George, who did our onstage sound every night and was awesome; Axel, who, despite having his own band took time out to emcee the whole caboodle and introduce each band every night, take the scores and generally whip the crowd up – he was wicked; I have to also mention Richey, who was tour manager for the whole thing and did a fine job of keeping us all under control!! God knows we needed it. Lastly, a big cheers to Chris P, our own tour manager and front of house engineer. And driver. And everything in between. We cannot thank him enough. All good.

In a couple of days I head up to Manchester for this session and gig. Very much looking forward to seeing Marc Riley again as he is one of the funniest people alive, though the thought of my first EVER solo radio session is a little daunting to say the least. Only one thing for it: Gam-ba-te!!!!!!!! TW X

TW: Just read Mark (Eels) Everett's autobiography-so-far, 'Things The Grandchildren Should Know'. Starting with his upbringing in Virginia (largely concentrating on his dysfunctional family for the first third), it's a fascinating story – charting his lone-wolf journey from obscurity and overwhelming self-doubt back home, to success, acceptance and finally (relative) peace of mind in California (along with many, many setbacks, bereavements and bombshells along the way). At times harrowing, it's an essential read for any fan of this often overlooked songwriter. He has an endearing tendency to skip between points a little too hurriedly, and the language is often cluttered and jumbled, but there's reams of personality here, it's an unquestionably moving story, and he comes out of it sounding like a thoroughly rounded, lovely bloke. I'd love to work with him.

Just want to say a massive big thank you to all the lovely folk who came down and stuck around for my set. Everyone was so quiet and attentive – doing this has truly given me the confidence in these songs, having never played them live before. Thanks also to Amir, Ross and Andy from the venue for looking after me so well, and Rupert and Sarah Drift for taking care of me post-venue. Once again, I've proved utter shite at looking after myself – having gotten a lift off Rupe and Sarah to East Croydon, I dash into the station and see a Brighton train leaving in a couple of minutes. Ignoring the safety signs, and hearing the ominous door-closing beep, I run down the ever-so-slightly-too-steep ramp to the platform. I make it the whole way down. The problem is when the ramp flattens out and the covering stops, exposing concrete to heavy rain. As I reach the bottom, I try to slow myself. Weighed down by a rucksack and guitar I slip, and the left hand side of my face connects hard with the thick metal hand rail as my feet slide from under me. I'm momentarily knocked unconscious. The next thing I know is some kind dude trying to pull me up, and handing me my guitar/book/rucksack/ticket… then I'm on the train, back to Brighton, meeting friends, swigging gin, face swelling, in a state of weird shock/relief that it all didn't go way worse than that. What a wonderful night! TW X

p.s. someone please take that hideous Edith Piaf/Specsavers ad off the telly. Really, it is so utterly insulting. If anyone's interested in finding out a bit more about this most amazingly original, singular of artists, there's a very real account of her life I'd recommend seeing – 'La Vie En Rose'. Beautiful film.

p.p.s. T.V. has reached yet another new low – DON'T watch a new programme called Vanity Lair. It's producers should be fucking shot.

I am currently weeping to 'End Of The Road' from 'Pacific Ocean Blue' by Dennis Wilson. If anyone can find a lusher song in this world, show me it please. He sounds completely out of it, hardly pronouncing certain words, but his singing is beautiful and the arrangement is heart-stoppingly vast. I know the record's been out of print for a while. Update: This has since been rereleased.

Pacific Ocean Blue is Dennis Wilson's only 'proper' solo album, released in 1977. After several attempts, starting in 1970, to release his own project – some of which made it to the finished album – Dennis recorded the bulk of Pacific Ocean Blue in the months spanning the fall of 1976 to the following spring. Dennis became the first member of The Beach Boys to undertake a solo project. Released in August 1977, Pacific Ocean Blue received glowing reviews for its depth and emotion and performed encouragingly in the U.S. charts.

It is also notable that Dennis' hard living had begun affecting his singing. This actually seemed to work in Dennis' favour and he delivered grainy and cracked, soulful vocals that gave added weight to every word he sang. Dennis played almost all of the instruments himself, (his unique piano style is especially notable) and he wrote all the songs, (although a few others – including Carl Wilson & Mike Love – share songwriting credits) making the album intensely personal.

On it's release Pacific Ocean Blue matched the current Beach Boys album 'Love You' in sales, but Dennis fell out of love with it quite quickly & it was out of print within a year. This masterpiece, alongside his pioneering work with The Beach Boys, remains a focal point of Dennis Wilson's legacy.

I'd like everybody to just take a few (well, nine) minutes out of their day to watch this incredible video of Tom Cruise discussing his "religion". You really do need to watch the whole thing. Pretty undeniable proof, once and for all, that Scientology basically has no discernible doctrines or rules… come to think of it, very little of what he says could even be described as proper sentences. No. What we have here is a business, very lucrative, too, and this little man is some kind of (admittedly extremely stupid and inarticulate) celebrity ambassador. Notice that he skirts around committing to anything that resembles a religious idea or notion, let alone an opinion that he may hold dear. All he really comes up with is a little common sense that your average five-year-old could far better elaborate on. You just want him to suddenly go 'I really, really like cheese and pickle sandwiches, MAN!! Can't get enough of that shit!!!' Just commit to SOMETHING. Not a chance. Mind-boggling in it's overwhelming vagueness and utter, utter pointlessness. They're rakin' it in though, eh?!

Small person talking nonsense for money here

Oh, and his films are shit.

I'm off to 'help someone', because I'M THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN!!!!!!!!!!! Madness.

T. James White

Lush one last night at The Hand In Hand. I fucked up most of what I played on the old joanna, but Flynn belted it out sans-microphone, and everyone was quiet for the quiet bits. Perfect. Al filmed it too, so we’ll youtube it as soon as we've re-recorded the audio and spliced it with crowd shots from Jimi Hendrix Live at Woodstock. Wicked. TW X

Soul Coughing are a band me and Al very much love – a band that have shaped a lot of our thinking drum sound-wise, and very much production-wise, too… though at a glance this may look like a kinda shit late-nineties, outta-focus-style vid, a la Morrisette/Crow… wait just a moment, and experience the true sickness that comes maybe two minutes in. Subtle adjustment of sets and camera angles to great effect. I've loved this song since 1998, and I've never seen the video 'til now.

Oh, and dEUS have a new record out (in the UK) on April 21st. It's called 'Vantage Point', and it was recorded with their current line-up, as heard on their last LP, 'Pocket Revolution'. TW X

Two songs that are fucking with my head right now…

"I Hope I Know You" by The Clientele – an enduring song, one that has been with me since ESP

As promised, detritis of unprecedented proportions is a-rainin' down in myspace land. To add to the covers already posted on the site these last couple of weeks, the boys will be offering up a different demo from Album 4 every week or so. The first is a new tune of Tom's called 'We Don't Need To Fight Anymore'. Enjoy! ESP X

Firstly, can we say a big thank you for all the encouraging words you folk have written about the new song up on myspace. We've not really had a chance to try any of this new stuff out on an audience yet, so this really means a lot to us at this point. Hopefully we'll have more up in the next few days. We're also in the process of confirming some mighty exciting French/Swiss shows, and y'all will be the first to know. Thank you again… a million times! T+A X

The "I Dream Of Black" EP is now set for an early June release. Drift Records will be taking care of me in the UK, while I will have the pleasure of working with Better Looking Records again in the States. Check the Myspace for gig details and snippets from the EP. TW.

Sadly, Restlesslist have had to pull their shows with Misty's Big Adventure at the end of the month due to unforeseen circumstances. Shame, as we were all very much looking forward to playing with them once again. All the other shows are still on.

No release date just yet, but it is now confirmed that the bootiful Drift Records of Stroud will be taking care of the UK release of Thomas White's debut-solo-8-track-EP-thang. Fuckin' A! Hopefully sometime 'round May/June. It's unmastered right now and the sleeve ain't finished yet, but it's all happening! The myspace is now back up, with a taster for what's to come.

News about shows and US/Europe releases coming soon… drop by and say HI! Maybe he’ll be your friend if you ask nicely.

A hero o' mine (along with Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss, of course)........

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Feb. 11) – Roy Scheider, a two-time Oscar nominee best known for his role as a police chief in the blockbuster movie Jaws, died Sunday in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences hospital, their spokesman David Robinson said.

Roy Scheider was best known for playing a thankless police chief in the monster shark movie Jaws. The spokesperson said the actor had been treated for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells, in recent years.

What a fucking dude. Rest In Peace. X

As promised, a brand new version of Always On My Mind, as we used to do in our set back in 2002/3 has been uploaded onto the ESP Myspace Recorded in The Basement over the last few days, using little more than a piano, a violin, a clarinet, and my voicebox. Enjoy. Will hopefully find the time to get a cover of Guided By Voices' 'Universal Truths And Cycles' up soon, which we've been covering on and off over the last year. Maybe 'Help' and 'Moonraker' with Britch. That'd be rad. The idea being that this whole thing has turned into a bit of a cynical marketing tool, labels getting on the case, adverts everywhere, promoting new singles/albums/whatever shamelessly, completely eradicating any personality/individuality from bands' myspaces. Fuck that. It's a bit of fun. If people want to hear our records, they can buy them. Stuff sounds shit on myspace anyway. And so, from now on we shall be using our myspace site as a forum for posting our most obscure detritis, mainly for everyone to get a good laugh at. Should be interesting. TW X

Good on the boys for a fresh one on Jools. I've found a new favourite in Joe Brown – absolutely loved 'I'll See You In My Dreams' and his whole set-up in general… however, the whole Maximo-Hives hang was all vaguely pointless, as was the warbling… and Morrissey was just plain old bizarre. As usual. Nice cover up from Jools too (he basically said that it was BSP's first time, then turned it round just in time. Clever, huh?) ...AND we got to see the Wandering Horn do "The Waddle" on national TV. Brilliant.

I am happy to announce that THE ELECTRIC SOFT PARADE will be appearing at the annual Lyon In Rock Festival, Lyon, France, on April 18th 2008 (Myspace) The festival is held at the Trans Club (Transbordeur) Many thanks to the guys at Lyon In Rock for getting us involved. TW X

Current watching: BBC iPlayer (the internet put to good use!! now there's a thought…) Grand Designs (possibly the best show on TV at the moment) / Soft Focus (new interviews with Graham Coxon and Terry Hall (looking fucking awful these days, it has to be said) / The Fall on youtube (there's SO much stuff – it's going to make a damn good film one day).

Current reading: Alex James: Bit Of A Blur, The Autobiography (frequently hilarious/unbelievable account of life in a stupendously massive group, and all the bizarreness that goes with it)

Current listening: Goldfrapp – Felt Mountain, The Fall – Fall Heads Roll, Scout Niblett – This Fool Can Die Now

Well, I've begun a recording of it, and I'll hopefully have it up on m.space for yr delectation in the next coupla daze. Swweet. For all our French fans: we are in the process of confirming a slot at the annual Lyon In Rock festival, held at the Transbordeur Club on the 18th/19th of April. Check it out at Myspace

For the first two they only had local bands on, but this year they are expanding to include international acts. Lush. There will hopefully be some more French shows around this one, and I will post them as soon as I have details. All the best, TW X

OOF!

Well, what can I say? (I start most blogs with that, don't I?!!) ...Anyway, what CAN I say?!!!! Had a fresh tour with Finnish Bee Power. Seems we quashed all the haters into submission with the devilish combo of Electric Soft Rock Power. Who could resist, really??!!! And Woody's back's back on form just in time for Europe. Perfect. I had a fucking great time, met some brilliant folk, as usual, and more importantly got an insight into how yet another band works, which I think may just be why I was put on this planet.

Anyway, we had a grand time, and like a lot of people have said, the tour could have all gone tits-up, so I'm happy to have helped save it from that particular fate. All the best for Europe and America, boys! It was also a pleasure to play with Make Model, who I thought played a blinder in Leeds. Very nice chaps from Glasgow. Check them out if you get the chance.

Had a rehearsal with the 'List this afternoon. All good, just blowin' away the cobwebs before Digital tomorrow!! Hopefully see you all down there. Oh, and just so you know, Mr. Stuart Flynn will be appearing in some guise or other at The Volks Tavern, on the 27th of Feb. Hock it in the diaree, and fuckin' BE THERE! No excuse. TW x

Just a quick one today. For the last 36 hours I have been frantically listening to and learning British Sea Power's new, third album, 'Do You Like Rock Music?'. Woody, their drummer, has injured his back in some way. I received a call from Noble early yesterday, requesting my drumming services, and by 8 that evening we were tearing it up at their Brighton Electric rehearsal room. The tour starts in Belfast in three days, and an already weird year just got weirder. I'm so chuffed to be asked, and fucking excited.

As well as all of this, we are currently confirming some more ESP shows in Germany (perhaps UK/France as well) for March, as well as Restlesslist shows in Canada and America the same month. I should have all those details in the next couple of days for your delectation. Also discovered this on my girlfriend's computer – a lush picture she took of ESP playin' in the sunset at Truck this year. Marvellous (click to see larger) All the best, TW x

PS. Just read the forum thread regarding covers. Some amazing suggestions, particularly 'Care Of Cell 44'. As soon as I'm off tour, I will make a start on it. And maybe a decent version of 'Always On My Mind', as we never recorded it when we did it live back in the day. Thank you.

The Bob Monkhouse comedy Blog. Enjoy!

Bob's Best Gags

I remember when safe sex was a padded headboard.

I want to die like my father, peacefully in his sleep, not screaming and terrified, like his passengers.

Personally, I don't think there’s intelligent life on other planets. Why should other planets be different from this one?

I can still enjoy sex at 74 – I live at 76, so it's no distance.

I tend to sleep in the nude. Which isn't a bad thing except for maybe on those long flights.

On hearing the phone:
Now if that's my wife … tell her I'm washing my hair.

My wife said: "Can my mother come down for the weekend?" So I said: "Why?" And she said: "Well, she's been up on the roof two weeks already."

Silence is not only golden, it is seldom misquoted.

When I first said I wanted to be a comedian, everybody laughed. They're not laughing now.

At the end of the booking I went to a game park. I saw a wild animal coming fast towards me. It was a woman on a Vespa with a telegram offering me a week at the Palladium.

You can call me Bob. Better still, you can call me after six o'clock.

Marriage is an investment that pays dividends if you pay interest.

A tomcat hijacked a plane, stuck a pistol into the pilot's ribs and demanded: "Take me to the canaries."

What's a geriatric? A German footballer scoring three goals.

My mother tried to kill me when I was a baby. She denied it. She said she thought the plastic bag would keep me fresh.

How can we expect a politician to believe in the wisdom of the people when he knows it was the people who voted him in?

What do gardeners do when they retire?

I'm not saying my wife's a bad cook, but she uses a smoke alarm as a timer.

I spilt some stain remover on my sleeve. How do you get that out?

Real happiness is when you marry a girl for love and find out later she has money.

(On his own illness) I saw a specialist who asked me: "Are you familiar with the phrase faecal impaction?" I said I think I saw that one with Glenn Close and Michael Douglas.

When the inventor of the drawing board messed things up, what did he go back to?

I'd never be unfaithful to my wife for the reason that I love my house very much.

People always say: "You're a comedian, tell us a joke." They don’t say: "You're an MP, tell us a lie."

Where do the homeless have 90% of their accidents?

It was my friend Seb's 24th yesterday. I was planning on going up to London to see him. Thought we'd have a nice night, maybe go to some bars, maybe a gig, maybe a club. On the afternoon of the 4th, I was in Brighton with my girlfriend looking for a suitable present. I found one without much bother or deliberation, not usually my style.

Anyway, I made my way to the tills, waited in line. When my turn came, I handed my card over and prepared to enter my pin. As you do. Then came the first bombshell. 'Your card has been rejected, and the machine has come up with a number you have to call'. 'What?!' So, I take my card and tell them I'm going to go fix it and I'll be back in an hour to pay for the stuff. There followed about an hour of frantically running around town, in and out of banks, trying to work out what the fuck is going on. I end up at home, rooting through old statements, trying to find some kind of inconsistency, some kind of clue as to what the fuck has happened, and why an otherwise fine and healthy account has suddenly been closed down.

Then my mum comes home and, as she always does, checks for new messages on the house phone. There's one for me, from about 5 hours ago, it's from the bank, and it's urgent. So I call them. In their words, my account details have been 'compromised', and whatever was left in there has been, well, nicked. The only thing I can compare the feeling to is when our house was burgled a few years ago – a situation with no answers, but plenty of questions. To be honest, I feel sick to my stomach. I'm grateful that my bank was on the ball enough to get in contact with me straight away, in person, and that their systems picked up on it immediately, but it is still an encroachment on my privacy, my rights, and my trust for the world and it's people. It is a small consolation that I am not alone in this, though that only softens the blow.

Ultimately, the 'chip and pin' system is flawed. Postcode and card number for some things, pin for others. There are even sites on the net which will accept just the card number, no address, no further proof. I now await my next bank statement, hoping that it will shed some light as to exactly when and where these people stole my details, and what they spent MY money on. Then I shall begin the (probably) arduous task of trying to convince my bank that I wasn’t in Greece on the 3rd of January, or that, no, I didn't order a new couch to an address in Montana on the 17th of December last year, and maybe get some of it back. Who knows what could happen!!!!!

Love to you all (except the blood-suckers – you know who you are and you can fuck off.) TW x

Currently listening to:
Broadcast – Work And Non-Work (Warp Records)
Foetus Inc. – Sink – Best Of Compilation (Some Bizarre)

Currently watching:
The Wicker Man (The original, thank you very much!)
Dee Vee Dee – Sparks Live At The Forum, London, 30th September 2006.

It's a new dawn and a new day and a new life fo-o-o-o-or meeeee… and I'm feeling good. On this bleakest of New Years, overshadowed by assassination, genocide and growing disunity, I've found a voice I actually believe. I urge anyone reading this to watch the talks between Ian Svenonius (of The Make Up and Nation Of Ulysees) and Genesis P-Orridge (Of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV/PTV3) at the Guggenheim in New York currently posted on youtube. They are both frightening and enlightening. Happy New Year.

(the section where Genesis explains Pandrogeny as 'positive androgeny', and his ideas about humanity as a species in flux, rather than a complete species which will now cease to evolve, are particularly fascinating)