Sworn To A Great Divide... how apt.

It's very apt that the new Soilwork album is called "Sworn To A Great Divide," because now the band have found themselves in the middle of a furious debate between old Soilwork fans and new Soilwork fans. Yes, as ever the whole "sell out" question has come into play and will presumably be dogging the band everywhere they go.
Now, I'm by no means totally unbiased:
I like Soilwork, and I haven't exactly been listening to them since I was twelve. I do however own enough of their material to pass judgment. And here it is: Sworn To A Great Divide is a fantastic album. The only possible thing one could be disappointed with about it is that it's not as hugely stellar as previous releases, but seeing as their chief songwriter walked away a few months ago as did a drummer, I'll cut them some slack, because the albums fantastic. And as far as songwriting... I found out the other day that "brainworm" is the actual scientific term for a song lodging in your head. The whole album is like that. Every chorus is catchy as hell.
I think this is why people are so irritated. Soilwork are no longer the fast as hell extreme end of spectrum melodic death group they once were. Well, lets hope not, they've been doing this for ten years or so. It'd be fucking lazy of them to put out the same album again and again and again. "Oh he's actually singing now, ugh they've got catchy choruses, they might as well be pop."
If you've never heard soilwork, pick up this album. You'd be hard pressed to call them pop.
So, what does this have to do with Girl 13?
Well I wonder if people are going to be having these exact same discussions about us in years to come. In fact it's probably more than likely. I bet even now there are kids in the valleys saying "the band are terrible now Andy/Spencer/Dan aren't in anymore. Maybe there will be total purists saying "Nikki was a much better singer." Now I know I'm looking to come off the vocals, but jeez... If that were true, I'd find it insulting.
So... come one, come all. Reply to this blog! Tell us your opinions! How do we fare from when you first saw us? How's are evolution been? Are you Girl 13's biggest fan? How are we treating it's legacy?
I'd be interested as hell to know what you think, because yeah, the songs are ours, and we write music largely for ourselves, but we have an obligation to our fans to try and make you happy. As long as you don't flame us, we'll actually listen to what you guys have to say about us. Not a crime that anyone could accuse Metallica of.

From the other side,

Jules

Girl 13 - On the hunt for a singer.

Yes, It's that time again. It's time to look for a singer! Time to look for someone who can light up the stage with their dulcet tones, or sing with a frenzied passion. Can you sing? Can you carry a tune?

If the answers to these questions are 'yes' then get in contact with us via the myspace, and then we'll set up an audition. Rules of the auditions are as follows:

1: You will be able to sing something to us that you think best demonstrates your vocal abilities: This should include if possible examples of both ends of your vocal range (High and Low) and example of falsetto

2: You'll be singing one of our own songs to us! Check the myspace for songs to cover. Don't pay any attention to the vocalist there: She's literally a guide, and I promise you, sing like her and you'll get NOWHERE.

If you pass an audition, we'll invite you to a live jam. If you do well in a live jam, then we'll throw you in at the deep end with a gig.

Auditions are open to men and women, and preferably over 21 (drinking laws buddy, we may be in the states soon), but age may well be no problem if your voice is good enough.


Good luck one and all. And do hurry up and audition guys, the sooner we have a new singer the sooner I can get back to playing guitar rather than trying to both!

See you on the other side,


Jules

And Introducing (belatedly)..... Lennie!!!

Welcome to the Girl 13 blog again. I’m sorry there hasn’t really been an update for sometime, but that is because gig wise, we’ve not really done anything for a while, concentrating on material as we have been. It has been something of a teething process as discussed last time because some of us are writing completely out of our comfort zones, relearning to use pieces of equipment (like Lennie and his double kick pedal) or learning new techniques (like Vinnie and the squealing harmonic). And yes, while there is some promising new material coming from this, the process is frustratingly slow.

I figured with this instalment of the blog, the best thing that we could do is properly introduce someone who’s new to the band. And that man would be Lennie.

Not much is actually known about him, even from Vince and Mike who knew him before I did. As far as I can tell, he wears a mask whenever he’s performing. I don’t know whether that’s because he’s got some sort of hideous facial disfigurement or whether it’s because it’s just a… thing that he does. We all suspect the latter, but you never know.

Secondly, we know he’s been playing drums for some time now. There are various speculations as to how long that is, but we estimate from the tantalising snippets he keeps dropping us, it’s been since he was at least twelve, so that’s nine years of experience behind the kit.

There’s also some mystery concerning his background. He’s remarkably guarded about his past, but he studied in Nagoya, Japan. Precisely what he studied is unknown, or even how long he was there for, but what we do know is that when he came back he started looking for a band to drum in. He had a couple of projects going, but eventually settled on, but then came to us. The time frame I think is between two to three years. While he was in Japan, we speculate that he learnt both Jiu-Jutsu and Ninjutsu, because he has a detailed knowledge of the arts.

Finally… we don’t even know whether or not Lennie is his real name. So all in all, the most we can say for certain is that Lennie is twenty-one, male, lives just outside of Cardiff and plays drums in Girl 13.

Er.... That's about it really... He's wicked guy, though. Look out for him. It won't be hard to miss him.

See you on the other side,

Jules

Teething problems....

We've been feeling the pressure recently to come up with new material, as it's been remarked in live jams several times that we aren't really jamming so much as just practicing. Nothing wrong with that of course, but jams should be that; jamming, not going over, again and again and AGAIN.....

So this has of course meant a push towards newer material... which has been tough as hell to write, because none of us seem to agree on anything.... except that we don't want to sound like every other band out there. So at the moment, we're only really working on four new pieces, and one of them we've called "Dog" because that's precisely what it is. The Dog of the set at the moment. It's got a shed load of potential, is fast paced, punky, catchy.... and almost totally im-fucking-possible to finish. We keep adding new bits, scrapping it, starting again, arguing over the structure, playing it.... and the worst part is, we come to a jam expecting to work on it, and no one can remember what was changed....

Grrrrr.....

That should, hopefully, have stopped. It's been transcribed, lyrics appear to be finished, and there's some set structure now. So that's one. There's '7:41', an entire song born out of tiny snippet of guitar harmony no more than fifteen seconds long that Mike gave us to play with. It's very dark, atmospheric, and definately metal... And Some of us are struggling to get our heads around it. And once again, it's impossible to finish. It's got two major time signature changes, and about five parts.

WTF?!

Then there's the other metally one. Hopes are high for this one actually, because we just went straight through the writing process in the space of an hour. It sounds cool, is the newest piece, but..... Has no lyrics yet.


......


And finally, there's 'Lose control.' One from the pen of Mike. It's probably near as dammit complete, maybe one or two harmonies on guitar need tightening up. Other than that, it's pretty much done.



So there you have it. It takes time to write our songs. Time, a lot of frustration, heavy use of the care package, lots of tea, and lots of soft drinks. You guys better love them when we play them next, cos we're going nuts trying to write them for you!

Cheers Guys,

G13

Jules lands at the Dog and Muff!!!

27th of July:

The Dog and Muff was a gig venue I was really looking forward to. That was until the rest of the guys started telling me that I was going to have to either pull my jeans up, or have to suffer the indignity of having my arse pinched continuously the entire time I was there. I was as you can imagine a little apprehensive about turning to a place where by all accounts, we would be paraded around on stage like pieces of meat. I didn't think anyone could enjoy that, but then again, people go to places like liquid every weekend, don't they?

So, we got there, and no one had a clue what was going on.










There was no drum kit waiting for us, and this was when support act panic starts to sink in. As prepared as we had been, it looked like all was going to fail. Then when we'd set up our gear on stage, basically taking it in a bloody coup d'etat, we had no microphones or stands bar the ones we'd brought.....

Oh well. Better late than never. Everything turned up just in time for us to sound-check NSPCC, but not before we were asked to warm up the crowd with instrumental versions of songs.... Which was more than a little weird.

After our sound-check, we performed our per gig ritual with the 'care package', sat down to a drink, and geared ourselves up. By this time, the hall was swarming... it's the only word I can use that accurately describe the activity.... with kids who just wanted to hear a good show.

Ok, that's not actually a picture of the Dog and Muff. Nor are they kids. But you get the idea.

Then.... The gig.

This was a truly magical set. We sounded among the best gigs we've ever played, rivaling the gig with Toast in Ifor Bach, or the TJ's in the park audtion. More importantly, it was the sound of a band that finally.... FINALLY.... hit their groove.

I'm told the highlights included Punk Rock Girl, doing it's usual job of getting the crowd into a party atmosphere, but this time around, it wasn't buried mid-set to revive flagging souls, but played first: From that point, you were in for a wild ride.

The double whammy of Radioactive and Acid Angel also hit the crowd like a hammer, sounding better than I've ever heard them: That's since I joined the band, from CD's I'd heard, from the Andy K and Dan Henly era... They sounded scorching, especially radioactive, with its punky, reworked intro.

New material however were what most of the people were there to see. Even if the Dog and Muff is where most of our fans go, we still had to give them something new. "Gayness," "State of Mind," and "Crimes" served to do that. I'm afraid I didn't do state of mind justice though, by slightly messing up a complicated guitar bit, and totally forgetting the lyrics to the second verse. The recovery was good though, with Mike on my right side to whisper "Don't worry, just carry on. It sounds ok." I suspected he may have been lying, but I loved him all the same for it.

We closed out the set to applause for "crimes," during the outro, which was damn sweet, got a drink, and then, disgusted with the fact that people seemed to cool to dance to the band after us, who were full of enthusiasm and had the most energetic and charismatic frontman, we got up and danced. Thankfully people joined us.

Remember, you're never too cool to dance to music you like!

From the other side,


Jules

Tom's Bar.... And a new beginning!!!

July 20th:


Well, here we are at Tom's bar again. This lovely little rock bar in Trefforest has hosted us a few times, most memorably when I saw a little bit of alcohol rage at youngsters vandalising temporary traffic lights.... Had the rest of the band not threatened to drive off so that I would be walking back to Cardiff, I'm sure four young 'uns that night would have returned home with bloody noses.

I'm not a violent person. The house mates/band members call me "Slopey." See? If I can poke fun at my ethnicity like that when others would see red, then I must not be violent. Right?

(Sounds of bells tolling, wind, and tumbleweed).

Anyway.... To the gig.

This was a first. A rebirth. It was an awesome gig, offered to us by an awesome band (Big love to Venus Elixir - You guys rocked, and had it not been for the broken string, you would have rocked longer), and just an awesome night in general . For it was this night that we introduced our new drummer Lennie. He prefers not to be photographed, so here's his myspace picture:

As you can see, he's something of an eccentric.

We played a half hour set that seemed to fly by that included new tracks "Gayness in your anus" and "Crimes." It's something of an exposition of the guys talent that he'd been learning the songs for about a week, and it felt like he'd always been a part of the band. He fitted in seamlessly, and the energy was completely right.

After that there was the usual post gig hilarity (watching me drink, basically) before we decided to call it a night on an extremely well received gig, not just by the crowd, but by the bands we played with that night. We were extremely pleased, because praise from other musicians... well, it's high praise indeed.

So well done Lennie, you freakish and wonderful guy for being an awesome drummer. Welcome to the band, oddities, masks and all.

See you on the other side guys.

Jules

Spencer's Last Gig.....

Royal Oak, 6th July:














This was something of a sad day because this proved to be Spencer Collin's last day as a member of Girl 13. While taking a brief hiatus from the band, we called him, in fact, from the O'neills gig, directly after we played asking him to fill in so we wouldn't be drummerless for an important paid gig.

Whatever problems and personal issues Spencer might have had within his personal life at this point, he was a consummate professional that night. Despite his not having been an active part of the band for about a month (practicing, gigging and recording), he still managed to play a full hours set... admittedly, not without mistakes. But Spencer pulled us out of a bind, proving that once a member, always a member.

Since this gig did take place sometime ago, many many things have changed since then, and now Spencer is currently completely unavailable... Missing in action, so to speak. These are deeply personal issues, and it is not our place to say either way, despite what local tabloids would have you believe. We will however say he has our full love and support, and will always consider him a member of the band. He will probably be singing our newer song "Gayness in your anus," with renewed vigour now.

From the other side,

Jules

Some updates.... At last!!!!

So.... we had this gig on the 26th of June in O'neills, and it had been arranged for absolutely ages... So of course, we were fully prepared, right?

Er... not exactly.

We sort of forgot it was there until a few days before the gig happened. Then it was upon us. Having taken some time off after recording our new demo and playing out some end of cycle shows, this one slipped under our radar. As a result;

a) We were woefully out of practice.

b) We didn't have anyone to sit behind one of these.


So.... at a gig where everyone was being all metal and stuff, we made a very brave decision.

We went it acoustic.

And we played well. Extremely well considering everything else threatened to stop us playing. Like Mikes bass, being irritating, falling over and nearly snapping its headstock off. It's quite a wound, really it is. It looks like it's being held together with spit and string. (Well, not even the string).

And by the time the gig wound down, we noticed that once it came to the headlining act, there were less people to watch them than there were to watch us. Maybe we tapped into something with these people, a rare layer of emotion that they had hitherto been unaware of in their persons.

Or maybe they had work in the morning and a bus to catch.

Either way, we pulled it off. There were hitches, but true professionals that we are, we made it clean through the other side.

Watch out for more updates in a verbal diarrhoea type barrage,

Jules.

Well.....

It's been quite some time since girl 13 were coming at ya from the ol' blog pages. There's lots to fill you in on, lots of stuff has happened, some departures, some new material, and some new band members.

Basically, here it is in a nutshell.

We were a five piece again for a bit (2 days) to record a new demo, recorded it, slimmed down to a three piece, played a gig as a three piece, had spencers final gig at the royal oak, got a new drummer, played two triumphant gigs with him respectively at Toms bar and then the Dog and Muff, and are now getting back into the swing of things. In case you're wondering, his names Lennie, and he's awesome. And we're now a four piece. And were awesome too.

(deep breath).

Anywhoo, there will be far more detail soon, as in actual dates of stuff happening, and then we'll all be up to speed.

So if you're a fan, keep posted here, and if you ain't, then listen to the stuff and become one!

Til then, we'll see you on the other side.

Jules

28the April - Tommy's Bar - Or so you would think......

Back again then? That's O.k, its always good to see you.
Alright so were you at Tommy's bar tonight? Wanting to hear the awesome sound of G13?
Well you can't! I'm not being mean or anything like that. Its just at the last minuet the gig was pulled, because of low gig attendance because of the smoking ban!
So Girl13 being the well-rounded group of people that they are decided to have a small "Gathering" at G13 HQ.
Or as the more common people, (like me) would say @Let's get back home and get pissed!"



But still no need to worry the next update will be on Monday. So keep your eyes peeled. Till next time, I'm Heavy T, pass me another shot!

26th April - Buffalo Bar - No Toast For Us!

Hi there how are you? Us? Well.... Tired! Its been a gig heavy week at the moment, but busy is good. O.k they were destined to be back at the Buffalo again as support for Toast this time, so G13 thought! When one of the members of Toast had to go to the hospital for the birth of his new baby. Nice. So that left G13 as the only band playing. In a frantic rush trying to get some more bands in for the night. None seemed to be available, Disaster! So it was an all Girl13 night. With Jules playing some of his own songs in an acoustic set, and G13 doing a split set. Also unveiled tonight was the debut of two new songs, Mikes' new song - State of Mind, and the new funny song - Gayness (in Uranus). Which is so good it got one overly excited guy stripping down to his tightey whiteys!

With men in thier boxers out of the way it was a very good all-round gig, lots of fun and very entertaining. Also in other news if you are more eagle-eyed than others, then you may have noticed the flyer/posters for the Cardiff Blowout Festival? The reason I'm pointing this out to you is if you read through the bands. Then you will see the name of Girl13. Hint, hint! Anyway lets hope that its the next gig is the same as tonight, which by the way is on the the 28th at Tommy's bar in UWIC. So see you soon.

24th april - Tom's Bar - Bringing down the house! Literally!

O.k lets start. If you were at Tom's bar tonight you may have noticed that i wasn't there. So... on to the pre-prepared notes (thanks Spence). The night was being put on by the University Music Society as it says here, but it sounded like they hadn't done many of these nights before. As the guys had to do there own mixing on the P.A. (and no, not my P.A.) But with the style that is unique to the G13 guys (or mainly Vinnie) they arrived fashionably late only to wait around for a high hat stand, not only that! G13 also discovered that they were playing downstairs for the first time at Tom's because the roofhad fallen in!

Cue church-like "Save our Roof" fund and sign.

(Sound check guy)

<----

Well it gets better. The guys decided to ask when the sound check was, the reply was "well we don't do sound checks, we just put the band on stage and let them play". The Girl13 response was "well we always sound check" So on to the sound check, which incidentally brought about the biggest round of applause of the night! Even without a high hat! But with so much time being wasted, the original 30 min set was cut in half! To just 15mins, Carrying on the G13 machine, went straight to it playing songs like Cut and Acid Angel.

Oh is that the time? I guess i went on for too long! So until the 26th at Buffalo Bar, I shall be seeing you