Well thats it. 'From Great Height' is no more. I am sure that anyone who has found their way here has more than likely already read the official statement i posted online over at the 'FGH Blog'. So i won't bang on about it much more. But i felt i should probably just say a few things on my personal blog.
I felt it was the right time for us to draw a line under things. We had been working towards a common goal for close to 5 years and whilst we had achieved many great things, things i don't take for granted. Things that however small, it's important to realise that a lot of start up bands never get their music beyond their local venue and 10 of their mates. That we got to play our music to new people and be played on respected rock radio stations, appear in mainstream rock press, among other things is something i am immensly proud of.
However, creatively i felt like i had hit a wall and i was no longer writing for myself but writing for the band. I felt like for the most part i was writing what other people wanted to hear rather than what i wanted to hear. The irony of course is that i believe we were still writing great music. It's just not something i think i could have carried on with and convincingly give my all to. And i have never been about trying to cheat people. Underground/unsigned bands clearly don't do this for money or fame. So once you strip that away, all you really have left is integrity and i wasn't willing to compromise that.
But this is not the end of my musical journey oh no...! Five Points Of Articulation is full steam ahead. Me and Adam have all but finished the writing phase. Four brand new songs coming your way very soon. We are currently in the demo phase, just correlating ideas and trying to develop a sound that we are happy with. We are very close though. You can hear our first completed demo track here by the way. It gives you a good taste of what we are about. I have always been a big fan of artist such as Trent Reznor, Jesu, TV On The Radio and the film soundtracks of people like Nick Cave, Clint Mansell. Hopefully a little of that filters through in the new stuff, mixed with our own style and ideas.
Further to this i will be jumping back on the undernightsky horse. I have some unfinished demo's i really should get on with. I believe music can be both "pop" and "art" and not always at the same time. UNS was always art to me. The music is very personal to me and comes from some very deep emotions. For that reason it really is a labour of love but perhaps not something i was as willing to share as i thought i was. I listen to the stuff a lot on my headphones but have been reluctant to put it out. More so than i thought i would be. But i think the feelings that lead to them songs being written have faded a bit now and perhaps now is the right time to put them out there.
aaaaaaaaaand finally i have the bubblings of a new project. It consits of a few unreleased demo's i made that i originally intended to be 'From Great Height' tracks. We never got to rehearse them as a band though and usually before that happens the songs tend to be quite Michael-centric. For better of for worse, who knows? But i was really keen on these particular tracks and felt they would have pushed us in a new direction. These tracks are written. They just need to be re-recorded (You would be shocked if you heard the chop-shop loop based demos). I am just trying to work out what to do with vocals. I might even give it a stab myself. Never tried singing on my own tracks before. Could be interesting. Could be terrible. I won't know until i try i suppose.
I shall leave you with with a video of a track that i have been caining on my iPod recently. Great production, great song, great video. She is a legend in her own time if you ask me.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
30 Aug 2011
***LDNRTS YouTube***
Following on from the track here is a YouTube version of my attempt at some drone. Feel free to spread it around if you like it.
It's also available as a free download from my soundcloud page
Mikey
It's also available as a free download from my soundcloud page
Mikey
***LDNRTS YouTube***
Following on form the track here is a YouTube version of my attempt at some drone. Feel free to spread it around if you like it.
Mikey
Mikey
22 Jul 2011
How are you using Facebook these days?
I have a quick question for you all,
I am using Facebook less and less these days for personal social networking and instead using it mainly for maintaining the 'From Great Height Page'.
I have always previously seen Facebook as my main social network and the one i tried to keep private. But now with the addition of twitter (which i love) and Google+ (which i am fast becoming a big fan of) is it time for me to open up my facebook page a bit and use it more as a marketing tool? I have always kept my 'Friends List' strictly people i know or i have had actually contact with' where as twitter is a different mind set.
Am i going about this wrong? If FB is people main outlet for social network maybe i should be using FB more effectively to try and reach my potential fanbase?
I like the idea of holding something back. Having somewhere i can use just to contact friends and family, Google+ will allow me to do both at the same time leading me to think this is going to be my preference from now on. So is it time for to open the gates? What do you think? How are you using Facebook?
MikeyFGH
I am using Facebook less and less these days for personal social networking and instead using it mainly for maintaining the 'From Great Height Page'.
I have always previously seen Facebook as my main social network and the one i tried to keep private. But now with the addition of twitter (which i love) and Google+ (which i am fast becoming a big fan of) is it time for me to open up my facebook page a bit and use it more as a marketing tool? I have always kept my 'Friends List' strictly people i know or i have had actually contact with' where as twitter is a different mind set.
Am i going about this wrong? If FB is people main outlet for social network maybe i should be using FB more effectively to try and reach my potential fanbase?
I like the idea of holding something back. Having somewhere i can use just to contact friends and family, Google+ will allow me to do both at the same time leading me to think this is going to be my preference from now on. So is it time for to open the gates? What do you think? How are you using Facebook?
MikeyFGH
19 Jul 2011
Will my music collection die with me?
Hello all,
Just a quick thought I had today. I am quite excited about the prospect of iCloud and can't wait to make use of having my music wherever I want whenever I want without having to worry that my external HD doesn't blow up. Further to that I am quite happy to pay for the privilege.
But I did have a thought. whilst a lot of my music might get lost in time, or perhaps simply go out of fashion. There is also a lot of music by classic artists that one assumes future generations will still want to listen to. Your Black Sabbath's, U2's, Lynyrd Skynyrd's, The Beatles among countless others, will always have appeal because they make genre defining music. Classic sounds that don't get old.
In the past vinyl's and even CD's will have been passed down in the family ( i know that i have a few of my families old vinyl's in the collection, this isn't really feasible with password protected encrypted iTunes accounts that will die with me. Even if I was to back up the music on a hard drive? Do i really expect that drive to have a 20/30 year life? No. I don't even expect it to outlast my life time. I could back them all on to CD. But then with the added cost and time consumption i might as well just buy CD's from now on which completely misses the point the ease digital music allows us.
I suppose that those big marquee artists will be making money for their labels for a long time coming. As far as i can see it's 1 nil to the record labels. Again.
What do you think? Do you think that your children/grandchildren will be missing out by not having your old records. CD's and tapes? Be cool to hear your thoughts on this or any stories about vintage music you 'came in to'.
Mikey
Just a quick thought I had today. I am quite excited about the prospect of iCloud and can't wait to make use of having my music wherever I want whenever I want without having to worry that my external HD doesn't blow up. Further to that I am quite happy to pay for the privilege.
But I did have a thought. whilst a lot of my music might get lost in time, or perhaps simply go out of fashion. There is also a lot of music by classic artists that one assumes future generations will still want to listen to. Your Black Sabbath's, U2's, Lynyrd Skynyrd's, The Beatles among countless others, will always have appeal because they make genre defining music. Classic sounds that don't get old.
In the past vinyl's and even CD's will have been passed down in the family ( i know that i have a few of my families old vinyl's in the collection, this isn't really feasible with password protected encrypted iTunes accounts that will die with me. Even if I was to back up the music on a hard drive? Do i really expect that drive to have a 20/30 year life? No. I don't even expect it to outlast my life time. I could back them all on to CD. But then with the added cost and time consumption i might as well just buy CD's from now on which completely misses the point the ease digital music allows us.
I suppose that those big marquee artists will be making money for their labels for a long time coming. As far as i can see it's 1 nil to the record labels. Again.
What do you think? Do you think that your children/grandchildren will be missing out by not having your old records. CD's and tapes? Be cool to hear your thoughts on this or any stories about vintage music you 'came in to'.
Mikey
5 Jul 2011
Some thoughts on the MySpace take-over
The reason MySpace failed is cause musicians do not want to acquire other musicians instead of fans (and let's face it, MySpace did pretty much become BandSpace). They want to acquire like minded music fans willing to listen to new stuff and interact to build an online relationship.
This is why I believe a musician based social network is doomed to fail. Hopefully Justin Timberlake don't take this route.
I think some sort of talent competition could be a great idea though. Perhaps the highest rated people in their chosen genres get tv time? It forces bands to promote to gain fans but still I don't see how that would stop the infinite stream of band spam which almost killed MySpace first time round. It's a tough one. Too tough for me.
I really can't see a happy ending for MySpace at the moment. Hopefully I am wrong. I wish it no harm.
What do you guys think?
This is why I believe a musician based social network is doomed to fail. Hopefully Justin Timberlake don't take this route.
I think some sort of talent competition could be a great idea though. Perhaps the highest rated people in their chosen genres get tv time? It forces bands to promote to gain fans but still I don't see how that would stop the infinite stream of band spam which almost killed MySpace first time round. It's a tough one. Too tough for me.
I really can't see a happy ending for MySpace at the moment. Hopefully I am wrong. I wish it no harm.
What do you guys think?
Location:London,United Kingdom
12 Jul 2010
***EP Reviews***
Afternoon all,
Some people have been kind enough to review our new EP. Here’s what they have to say!
Our good friend ‘Mr Stu’ of http://mrstu616.blogspot.com says;
“These are the first recordings since Tim joined late last year and show a clear forward progression for the Enfield based rock group who are now deservedly gaining major press attention. Many great bands start life with a label that does not really represent their body of work, think of bands like U2, Simple Minds, The Jam who were essentially classed as Punk/New Wave, this is true of FGH who gained a "Progressive" tag, yet drew comparisons to a variety of artists as diverse as Marillion, David Bowie and Roxy Music. What the band have done even at this relatively early stage in their, what will become a long, career is create a unique brand of commercially viable rock music that transcends genres from Extreme metal to stadium rock and intelligent pop music.
The dual attack of haunting vocal and guitar open up this first track 'Spectres at the Feast' before the song literallly explodes into a crescendo of keyboards and drums mixed with absolute perfection. A truly epic song that blends aggression with melody with defining keyboards making for an instant and very catchy hit.
The live favourite 'It Died A Quiet Death' is next, a mid tempo rock number with a great guitar riff punctuating the quality throughout. Its anthemic qualities are simply awaiting the massive audience cheering and singing along that a main stage support at Glastonbury has been crying out for.
The slow ballad quality to one of the earliest songs ever written by Michael Alp,
'Invited In By' showcases Adam's awesome and mature vocal delivery, but also the early Progressive influences of Michael. The various timing changes, use of synth and the superb phased guitars create a song that has truly epic qualities and with a drum fade out that just leaves you wanting more.
All in all a single of such professional standards i can but hang my head with pure
disbelief that this band are not signed and arranging a major European tour.
But good things comes to those who wait and in years to come From Great Height will be a household name. STU - Rating 10/10”
We have also had a facebook ‘fan’ review by ‘Chelle’ so a BIG thank you to her for taking the time!
“Listening to From Great Height's new E.P. invoked memories from my formative teenage years in the 80's when bands such as Simple Minds,Big Country,Marillion I'd also include Ultravox (Vienna) were producing that blend of synthesized popular music with a rock edge to it . Now whether it's because the bands I've just mentioned were Scottish/Irish which influenced their music or whether it is purely due to the beautiful haunting melodies of 'Spectres at the Feast' and 'Invited In By' I'm not quite sure..... but those tracks seem to have a Celtic feel to them .
Vocalist Adam has an amazing quality to his voice and has a good range ,it's distinctive although not dissimilar to Peter Gabriel. Adam's skills on the keyboard shine through too and add the classic 80's synth vibe. EXCELLENT !!
Mikey's guitar solo's are faultless especially on the Invited In By track ...WOW !!
He shows versatility too with the more thrashier sound on 'It Died a Quiet Death'
Tim's drumming throughout all three tracks is consistent and notably solid on 'It Died a Quiet Death' AWESOME !!!!
Paul's bass playing is strong throughout and adds depth to the sound .
All three tracks are catchy,excellently produced /mixed and are of professional quality . My personal fave definitely has to be ' Invited in By ' closely followed by 'Spectres at the Feast' and 'It Died a Quiet Death', which might I add definitely didn't die quietly at all ....it actually went out screaming cause it ROCKS !!!!!!!!
Will finish by saying that these guys don't need to 'bite any bullets' when it comes to their music ,it is excellent and deserves to be played,heard and enjoyed !!!!
10/10 “
A BIG thank you to all those who have taken time to listen to our EP so far and we really hope you are enjoying it as much as we enjoyed making it. We are over the moon that so far it seems to have been greeted with positive vibes.
See you all soon!
Mikey FGH
Some people have been kind enough to review our new EP. Here’s what they have to say!
Our good friend ‘Mr Stu’ of http://mrstu616.blogspot.com says;
“These are the first recordings since Tim joined late last year and show a clear forward progression for the Enfield based rock group who are now deservedly gaining major press attention. Many great bands start life with a label that does not really represent their body of work, think of bands like U2, Simple Minds, The Jam who were essentially classed as Punk/New Wave, this is true of FGH who gained a "Progressive" tag, yet drew comparisons to a variety of artists as diverse as Marillion, David Bowie and Roxy Music. What the band have done even at this relatively early stage in their, what will become a long, career is create a unique brand of commercially viable rock music that transcends genres from Extreme metal to stadium rock and intelligent pop music.
The dual attack of haunting vocal and guitar open up this first track 'Spectres at the Feast' before the song literallly explodes into a crescendo of keyboards and drums mixed with absolute perfection. A truly epic song that blends aggression with melody with defining keyboards making for an instant and very catchy hit.
The live favourite 'It Died A Quiet Death' is next, a mid tempo rock number with a great guitar riff punctuating the quality throughout. Its anthemic qualities are simply awaiting the massive audience cheering and singing along that a main stage support at Glastonbury has been crying out for.
The slow ballad quality to one of the earliest songs ever written by Michael Alp,
'Invited In By' showcases Adam's awesome and mature vocal delivery, but also the early Progressive influences of Michael. The various timing changes, use of synth and the superb phased guitars create a song that has truly epic qualities and with a drum fade out that just leaves you wanting more.
All in all a single of such professional standards i can but hang my head with pure
disbelief that this band are not signed and arranging a major European tour.
But good things comes to those who wait and in years to come From Great Height will be a household name. STU - Rating 10/10”
We have also had a facebook ‘fan’ review by ‘Chelle’ so a BIG thank you to her for taking the time!
“Listening to From Great Height's new E.P. invoked memories from my formative teenage years in the 80's when bands such as Simple Minds,Big Country,Marillion I'd also include Ultravox (Vienna) were producing that blend of synthesized popular music with a rock edge to it . Now whether it's because the bands I've just mentioned were Scottish/Irish which influenced their music or whether it is purely due to the beautiful haunting melodies of 'Spectres at the Feast' and 'Invited In By' I'm not quite sure..... but those tracks seem to have a Celtic feel to them .
Vocalist Adam has an amazing quality to his voice and has a good range ,it's distinctive although not dissimilar to Peter Gabriel. Adam's skills on the keyboard shine through too and add the classic 80's synth vibe. EXCELLENT !!
Mikey's guitar solo's are faultless especially on the Invited In By track ...WOW !!
He shows versatility too with the more thrashier sound on 'It Died a Quiet Death'
Tim's drumming throughout all three tracks is consistent and notably solid on 'It Died a Quiet Death' AWESOME !!!!
Paul's bass playing is strong throughout and adds depth to the sound .
All three tracks are catchy,excellently produced /mixed and are of professional quality . My personal fave definitely has to be ' Invited in By ' closely followed by 'Spectres at the Feast' and 'It Died a Quiet Death', which might I add definitely didn't die quietly at all ....it actually went out screaming cause it ROCKS !!!!!!!!
Will finish by saying that these guys don't need to 'bite any bullets' when it comes to their music ,it is excellent and deserves to be played,heard and enjoyed !!!!
10/10 “
A BIG thank you to all those who have taken time to listen to our EP so far and we really hope you are enjoying it as much as we enjoyed making it. We are over the moon that so far it seems to have been greeted with positive vibes.
See you all soon!
Mikey FGH
19 May 2010
Water Rats, Soundcloud, Totalrock & Classic Rock: Prog
Anyone here using soundcloud yet? If not why not.. it's class!!! plus there is an iphone app for it... Lots of wicked bands and music on there (not just unsigned stuff btw, it's where i first heard the new deftones tracks)
Anyway... it will be the first place to premier the new FGH tracks this coming monday so go there and add us...
www.soundcloud.com/fromgreatheight
Also get yourself down to Kings Cross water rats on 31st to watch us support the awesome prog-metaltastic 'Kyrbgrinder' We will be airing at least one brand new song if not two! Thats worth the entry price alone me thinks?
One final thing, We will be appearing live in studio on totalrock.com this coming monday to promote said show. We will also be talking about our new recordings as well as playing them, thats something not to miss!!!
ONE MORE FINAL THING (i lied the first time!) We are on the cover mount of this months 'CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS: PROG' there is an hours worth of new music on the CD which is worth the price alone but to add salt to the chips ELP are on the front cover... Now thats a deal maker no?
Support this great mag and pick up your copy available at all good newsagents nationwide!!
All the best,
Mikey FGH
Anyway... it will be the first place to premier the new FGH tracks this coming monday so go there and add us...
www.soundcloud.com/fromgreatheight
Also get yourself down to Kings Cross water rats on 31st to watch us support the awesome prog-metaltastic 'Kyrbgrinder' We will be airing at least one brand new song if not two! Thats worth the entry price alone me thinks?
One final thing, We will be appearing live in studio on totalrock.com this coming monday to promote said show. We will also be talking about our new recordings as well as playing them, thats something not to miss!!!
ONE MORE FINAL THING (i lied the first time!) We are on the cover mount of this months 'CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS: PROG' there is an hours worth of new music on the CD which is worth the price alone but to add salt to the chips ELP are on the front cover... Now thats a deal maker no?
Support this great mag and pick up your copy available at all good newsagents nationwide!!
All the best,
Mikey FGH
17 May 2010
***Recording and a few quick words about the legend Dio***
Sad to hear about Dio today...
First Pete now Dio. Paul made a good comment... some thing along the lines of "it's what happens when you get older, your idols start dying". Unfortunately i find him morbidly right. It's just sad that we are another man down due to cancer. There has to be a cure out there somewhere right?
Really, REALLY excited about recording this week. I think it will have to be in tribute to all those music greats that have lost their lives. Just my way of showing that their inspiration lives on and whilst my/our music is not directly influenced by Dio's sound i am a fan and i feel inspired by any great musician.
Camping outside the studio with the rest of the FGH lads is going to be pretty epic, expect pictures... LOTS of them. Looking forward to seeing Nick (producer/technician/sound man/ all around awesome guy) He gets us and knows how to make us sound exactly how we want.
I will most probably blog whilst i am away but probably more likely will be constant twitter updates and video clips etc... So stay tuned!!!
Peace and love,
MikeyFGH
First Pete now Dio. Paul made a good comment... some thing along the lines of "it's what happens when you get older, your idols start dying". Unfortunately i find him morbidly right. It's just sad that we are another man down due to cancer. There has to be a cure out there somewhere right?
Really, REALLY excited about recording this week. I think it will have to be in tribute to all those music greats that have lost their lives. Just my way of showing that their inspiration lives on and whilst my/our music is not directly influenced by Dio's sound i am a fan and i feel inspired by any great musician.
Camping outside the studio with the rest of the FGH lads is going to be pretty epic, expect pictures... LOTS of them. Looking forward to seeing Nick (producer/technician/sound man/ all around awesome guy) He gets us and knows how to make us sound exactly how we want.
I will most probably blog whilst i am away but probably more likely will be constant twitter updates and video clips etc... So stay tuned!!!
Peace and love,
MikeyFGH
20 Apr 2010
***THE MELVINS***
Is it bad that i have only just discovered 'The Melvins'? Oh my GOD!!! This is the band that has been missing from my life!!!!!
See you in six months!!!
Mikey FGH
See you in six months!!!
Mikey FGH
19 Apr 2010
***UPDATES & TA'S***
Hello all,
Not spam as such but it's the easiest way for me to say thank you. We have a had quite a few gigs this month (probably too many) but we enjoy it too much to say no sometimes.
This is just a big thank you to anyone who came and watched us. spent their money and their time indulging in some FGHness. It really does mean a lot to us and your continued support is infinitely appreciated.
More FGH is on it's way so stay tuned, But to bullet point it...
- New 3 maybe 4 track demo coming this June!!!
- Gonna be progin' it up very soon (more info to come)
- Will be appearing on 'Totalrock.com' again to promote said NEW EP
- Gigs gigs an more gigs so plenty more chances to see us shake our money makers!!! YAY!!!
Love love,
Not spam as such but it's the easiest way for me to say thank you. We have a had quite a few gigs this month (probably too many) but we enjoy it too much to say no sometimes.
This is just a big thank you to anyone who came and watched us. spent their money and their time indulging in some FGHness. It really does mean a lot to us and your continued support is infinitely appreciated.
More FGH is on it's way so stay tuned, But to bullet point it...
- New 3 maybe 4 track demo coming this June!!!
- Gonna be progin' it up very soon (more info to come)
- Will be appearing on 'Totalrock.com' again to promote said NEW EP
- Gigs gigs an more gigs so plenty more chances to see us shake our money makers!!! YAY!!!
Love love,
15 Apr 2010
RIP Peter Steele
Today i am really sad to hear about the passing of 'Peter Steele' He was one of my favourite front men. Charisma, stage presence but most importantly WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR! He wasn't up his own arse yet still made more popular frontmen pale in comparison.
Not only this but inspiration wise i (and it's no secret) am a massive fan of any music that is epic, flamboyant and/or over the top. Pete Steele was a man who could make one bass guitar sound like 50 playing through at least 10 amps. I know he is a regular talking point with me and PaulFGH his dark riffs and vocal melodies have and will continue to inspire us to write the music we want to hear.
This is his biggest legacy. Sure he has his music, but more importantly i feel that any artists biggest legacy will always be their talent to inspire more. There is no bigger compliment than someone who wants to be like or sound or draw or paint or dress or... you get the picture. This all said i am sure Big Pete probably didn't help himself with his health and secretly i am not surprised to hear the rumor that it was heart failure. That said he was one of a kind, the kind of guy who lived to the full even if he didn't always feel it. His battles with depression are widely documented but i hope wherever he is now he can see us and he knows that actually although not perfect, his time here was cherished by a lot of people and he has certainly left his mark.
Rest in Peace Peter Steele. I shall be listening to 'October Rust' today and all weekend. We shall have a few drinks in your honor and the set at BarForm this saturday is dedicated to you my friend. Thank you.
Not only this but inspiration wise i (and it's no secret) am a massive fan of any music that is epic, flamboyant and/or over the top. Pete Steele was a man who could make one bass guitar sound like 50 playing through at least 10 amps. I know he is a regular talking point with me and PaulFGH his dark riffs and vocal melodies have and will continue to inspire us to write the music we want to hear.
This is his biggest legacy. Sure he has his music, but more importantly i feel that any artists biggest legacy will always be their talent to inspire more. There is no bigger compliment than someone who wants to be like or sound or draw or paint or dress or... you get the picture. This all said i am sure Big Pete probably didn't help himself with his health and secretly i am not surprised to hear the rumor that it was heart failure. That said he was one of a kind, the kind of guy who lived to the full even if he didn't always feel it. His battles with depression are widely documented but i hope wherever he is now he can see us and he knows that actually although not perfect, his time here was cherished by a lot of people and he has certainly left his mark.
Rest in Peace Peter Steele. I shall be listening to 'October Rust' today and all weekend. We shall have a few drinks in your honor and the set at BarForm this saturday is dedicated to you my friend. Thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)