Repost - The Grand Daddy, Dec 23, 2011

LTC plays for Channel24

On my last day the Good Ship 24, Long Time Citizen were invited to play in the famous Channel24 Coffee Break session, which is basically when an artist or group performs live in the coffee area, unplugged, for a recording by the Channel24 video crew. Pictures below from Robyn Adinall. 

Charlie King's Acoustic Album launch

Had the great pleasure of playing in the hastily-assembled band for Charlie King's acoustic CD launch last night.

Charlie King

In the band: Myself on double bass (Marshall); Redeye Riaan and Arno van Zyl (out of Namibia, on guitar and banjo respectively), and the legendary Tim Parr (Ella Mental, et al, on guitar).

The evening was opened by Son of a Thousand playing a few acoustic songs - they are in the city for a few dates.

Redeye and Arno have a great vibe and method of play - and it was great thinking on Charlie's part to put this little combo together. Awesomely fun evening of cool blues-based tunes.

Follow Charlie on Facebook here.

Music Network at Assembly

Marshall got roped into presenting the show on Thursday October 15. And someone decided this was hilarious enough to publish.

Te event featured performances from Louise Day, Machineri, Taxi Violence, Goodluck and DJs Pascal and Pearce.

Today is World Sight Day

"World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of the visually impaired held on the second Thursday in October.

World Sight Day is observed around the world by all partners involved in preventing visual impairment or restoring sight. It is also the main advocacy event for the prevention of blindness and for "Vision 2020: The Right to Sight", a global effort to prevent blindness created by WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness."

From: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_sight_day/en/index.html

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Band of Skulls - Mulder & Skullies

Image by Kmeron via Flickr"Band of Skulls, a Blues infused Rock n' Roll trio from Southampton, headlined Rocking the Daisies this past weekend. Since the release of their debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey the band has been touring across the world, supporting huge acts like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Jack White’s most recent project The Dead Weather. "

- Channel24's intern reporter Inge van Eetveldt attended the press con at Rocking the Daisies - read that report here.

Greg was there, too I think, representing the label.

I don't think he likes us

Review of the show: Last Train to Nashville - A Tribute to Johnny Cash

“The show rocked, plain, prosaic and simple.

The same, sadly, cannot be said about the opening act, Long Time Citizen, who, with their attempt at coat-tail-riding by “Featuring Trinity of We Set Sail”, come off as rather limp. The frontman’s voice is dull and unpleasant, the lack of drums leaves the sound hollow and stage presence hovers in the vicinity of zero, despite the enigmatic bass-player. “This is a hillbilly song,” they proudly declare and launch into “Who Is Gonna Bang My Drum” – it might pass here, but in the real South they would be laughed off stage. They butcher “Ring of Fire”, make a mockery of the country-standard “Ghost Riders In The Sky” and I’m about to get sour at the whole tribute affair when Sixgun Gospel take the stage.”

- Max Barashenkov, Mahala.co.za

Last Train to Nashville

Really gratifying to see the positive response to the Last Train to Nashville - A Tribute to Johnny Cash show last Saturday with Six Gun Gospel and Taxi Violence.

What  also felt really different about this show for me - and I'm grateful for this - was that all the stress actually went onto the shoulders of the production people, who really seemed to put in a lot of effort on all fronts. As far as I could tell, they erred on the side of over-planning, but that's never really a disaster.

The end result is a show that almost EVERYONE who attended raved about on Twittter and such. And it was also a show that the musicians enjoyed, mostly because for once, they needn't have worried about anything.

I have to also mention our guest Trynity (of We Set Sail) who really added a superb element to our part of the show. Her trumpet and percussion worked really well in the arrangements, and I have a feeling that the Citizens will be seeing more Trynity on their own stage in the future. Two good shows in two days. Winning. 

Crabman, Crabman, Crabman

So people have been asking about Greg's song "Crabman", which he says is dedicated to a very special little person. here he is... Elvis... The Crabman!

Crabman. Will take your shelling!

Another Saturday Morning Cactus

LTC hung out at Ian Arrow's (Them Tornados) birthday last Saturday morning, and naturally, there were words. And pics.

 

  Greg and Tony Shine talk about the old days... the 80s... the 1780s.

 

Matthew Ferguson, Tony Shine and Marshall discuss The Bantam Cocks... possibly.

 

But in the end, The Fat Cactus is all about The Sacred Hearts.


Photos stolen from Bianca Coleman.

According to Boo!, we rock!

We opened for Boo! at Mercury this past Friday night, and Chris Chameleon tweeted this on Friday night, just before he went on stage at Mercury:
about to walk on stage with boo!. opening act 'longtime citizen' was great. let's go!

And then again:
straks op die planke met boo!. voorspelorkes 'longtime citizen' was lekker. kom ons gooi mielies!

I think that's just nice. Thanks Boo! for a great show. See y'all next time.

Three Bored Whte Guys in Diagon Alley

So I was digging around one of the old blogs today and found a whole bunch of pics from several years ago. Among them this fine pic of the old band Three Bored White Guys. In Diagon Alley. Actually that's the original Kill City Blues Alley. before it was actually called Kill City Blues.


L-R: Frank Ellis; Anton Marshall; Waldo Alexander; Matthew Ferguson; Greg Donnelly.

Johnny Cash show

We are waiting to finalise details of our gig on Saturday 01 October where we are taking part in a Johnny Cash Tribute evening being held at the Harley Davidson Club in Cape Town.

Sterredank - we open for Boo!

Long Time Citizen will be opening for Boo! at Mercury Live on Friday September 9, 2011.

Thank you - that is all!

From Wikipedia (edited):

Boo! are a South African band who describe their music as "Monki Punk".

The band disbanded in 2004, but reformed in February 2010.

Boo! acquired a worldwide cult following by performing 800 gigs in 17 countries, including 14 states in the USA. Boo! have performed at many music festivals, appearing on the same stage as the White Stripes, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot, Franz Ferdinand, Cypress Hill, Coldplay and many more. In 2002, the band received a South African Music Award (SAMA) for ‘Best Pop Album.’

Boo! reunited early 2010 with a change in their line-up, replacing original drummer Princess Leonie with Riaan van Rensburg. They have since recorded a new album "The Three of Us" in the Netherlands.

Discography:

    Banana Flava (live) (cassette) [1998]
    Pineapple Flava (aka Monki Punk or Pynaple) [February 1999]
    The 3 Boo!dists [December 1999]
    Seventies, Eighties, Nineties, Naughties [October 2000]
    Shooting Star (live) [February 2002]
    TNTLC (August 2003)
    Boo! (compilation) (December 2003) free with Stage Magazine #24
    The Three Of Us (2010)

Long Time Citizen's After-Work Build-Up

Long Time Citizen's After-Work Build-Up

05 August at 18:00 at The Daddy Long Legs Bar Cape Town, South Africa

In Conjunction with Sailor Jerry and Macbeth Footwear. The Daddy bar will be fully equipped with a winter-proofed balcony, gas heaters, fleece blankets, freshly made gluhwein and gourmet hot chocolate. Come early and experience the newest after-work winter spot...

It's also a great spot to get that in-between sip before you head out into your obviously hectic Friday night parties. So C'mon down and grab a listen. LTC CDs will be on sale.

Click here for the Facebook event.

The royalty of rock 'n roll

Cover of Wanda Jackson

Clem Sunter's just written a nice piece about his favourite rock n' roll songs for News24.

Of course I couldn't resist commenting that he omitted mentioning the great Wanda Jackson. We must pay respect where it is due, and point out to others that which is so easily forgotten. or something.

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Blog upgrade

Bio information and some photos have been added to the blog... check out the nav option strip above to hookemup.

Long Time Citizen Volume One official tracklisting

Discs of Volume One will be on sale from Saturday's Fat Cactus performance on...
(More about that show here...)

LONG TIME CITIZEN 

volume one

1.    HERE COME THE BOMBS (2:30) donnelly

2.    CRABMAN (3:04) donnelly

3.    WHO’S GONNA BANG THE DRUM? (3:29) donnelly

ALTERNATIVE MIXES

4.    CRABMAN 12” MIX (5:29) donnelly

THE MAKING OF VOLUME ONE: BONUS DEMOS and INCOMPLETIONS 

5.    I GUESS WE’RE HAVING FUN (3:25) marshall

6.    BLOOD (3:40) marshall

7.    CRABMAN – ORIGINAL ACOUSTIC VERSION (3:00) donnelly

REHEARSALS

8.    BLACK BETTY* / I FOUGHT THE LAW** (2:55) *traditional / **sonny curtis

9.    HERE COME THE BOMBS (2:30) donnelly

10.  HOLD ME CLOSE (3:20) donnelly

Here Come the Bombs

Here Come the Bombs

Ok, folks, here it is... the first OFFICIAL release from Long Time Citizen. Full production notes follow.


HERE COME THE BOMBS
Performed by Long Time Citizen
Words and music by Greg Donnelly
Produced by Anton Marshall
(c) 2011 all rights of the composer, producer and artist reserved.

Wait for the "snake" to load below and click on PLAY. I've added a few producer's comments in the track... makes for a bit of fun and some insight into some of the "making of" stuff. Hey it's our blog and we can do what we want! 



Here Come the Bombs by AntonMarshall

Long Time Citizen prelaunch at the Barleycorn

Image via Wikipedia

A somewhat secretive appearance at the Barleycorn Music Club in Claremont last night...

Where, during song two  - TWANNGGGG!!! - a string goes pop on the double bass. Greg looks over and asks; "Shit - can you continue?"

I say - "I don't know - let's try it!"

Cue Long Time Citizen minus a D Bass string - rock out!

This Saturday we launch material at the Fat cactus - morning show!

More details here...

Crabman, Crabman, Cra-abman!!!

Crabman got it's first airing on the Wrong Rock Show last night on Bush Radio. Awesome stuff!!!

An oldeh, but a goodeh

Bit of a retro mood today, so I grabbed a listen to some Three More White Guys... Say yeah

Say Yeah by AntonMarshall


Say Yeah
Performed by Three More White Guys (South Africa)
Words and music by Steve Smith - 2010
Produced by Anton Marshall

Progress picks up

I'm very excited about last night's rehearsal... well, what i call rehearsal is really just about finding some mental in to the songs we intend to play.

It's less learning toplay someting in a specific way at this point - more about finding my / our way through the songs we're taking on.

But it's coming together and feeling bright and fun - which is what how good music should!

Also, the song Crabman is scheduled to make its broadcast debut on Bush 94.5 this Monday June 13 on The Wrong Rock Show with Botha Kruger. Check it out!

The Process Continues

It's been a bit tough to free up some time lately. Been struggling to get together with the Citizen to continue work...

But I'm happy to say that I'm finally happy with a first single mix for Crabman.

I'm very intrigued by Greg's sideways slide in what he coloured as 'science fiction'.

mmmmm...

Le Butcherettes

I've just finished listening to the debut album from Le Butcherettes called Sin Sin Sin and it's fantastic! Le Butcherettes is fronted by multi-instrumentalist, Teri Gender Bender, who is also known for her blood-splattered in-your-face live performances.

The album was recorded by Omar Rodriguez Lopez of Mars Volta who also plays bass for the band. Hurray! a bass-player in a garage band!!!

Obvious references will steer toward Karen O and Alison Mosshart, but I think I can hear more influences coming from Belly-era Tanya Donelly as well as the JSBX/Boss Hog and even Soft Cell keyboard stylings. Sin Sin Sin starts off fairly conventionally with Tonight and New York, but it's when it moves to tracks like The Leibniz Language and The Actress That Ate Rousseau that it moves into a more interesting punk-style cabaret.

If you are a fan of The Organ, The Breeders or any of the aforementioned bands then definitely give this a listen.

I forgot to post that I was guest dj-ing on The Wrong Rock show last night, but I will be playing once again next week on Monday with Botha Kruger. The Wrong Rock Show is broadcast on a Monday night on Bush radio (89.5fm) or you can stream it on www.bushradio.co.za from 22h00-00h00. Botha also has been putting up past shows up on mixcloud, so you can listen to hours of amazing music from all over the planet, compiled by Botha and his guests, including yours truly and the Marshall.

A pre-visit to Barleycorn

Greg and I paid a little visit to Barleycorn last night.  For those who don't know, Barlecorn is a little music club - mostly showcasing original singer-songwriter type talent - that's been around since the 80s.... the 1480s.

Image via Wikipedia

Anyway, ran into Sean Ou Tim (henceforth to be known as Tim O' Shea, the Chinese Irishman), who was playing with his old buddy Mark Buchanan. Also stayed to watch guitar supremo Nibs vd Spuy perform material off his new album as well a few old ones.

LTC is tentatively looking to test some material at the Barleycorn on May 2.

Barleycorn Music Club is held every Monday at The Brooksider, Villager Football Club, 11 Lansdowne Road
Claremont, Cape Town.

Hanging with other longtime citizens

Here's some pics of Greg hanging with some other citizens who've been around a while - "Them Tornados"

Studio: Who's Gonna Bang My Drum

February 23, 2011

Unlike the stage context most people get to see bands perform in, Studio work is not very glamourous. And pretty boring for people not actually involved in what's going on.

For the performer, engineer or producer, though, it's concentration work. And there's constant discussion going on as to whether there's a better way to capture something, both performance-wise and technically.

This video clip was taken during an impromptu guitar tracking session at Kill City Blues for Who's Gonna Bang My Drum?

George vd Spuy was kind enough to squeeze us in for two hours before the main rehearsal session took place that day, and even engineered the tracking.

A little bit about the process:

At this stage, I've already developed a basic rhythm track in my own "studio" for Greg to play the guitar to.

So Greg's out there essentially playing his guitar to himself with a drums and percussion ringing in his ears. Technically, this is a multi-studio recording now!

Long Time Citizen is born

And so it is, that after several weeks (or is it months?) of talking, the project known as Long Time Citizen is under way!

it's great to be working with Greg Donnelly again... I first got to work with him in The Dollyrockers, and this project is interesting because I get to do what I like to do, which it knock together and play with someone elses' songs and ideas - and Donnelly writes great songs!

So as we go along we'll be posting some impressions here, again simply logging the experience and some personal impressions of whatever happens... solo, with the other bands (The White Guys are still a simmering concern on my side), and whatever.

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