Happy New Year!

Hello one, hello all! Welcome to 2010!

So what's the craic? Well, we've been busy. Take a look at www.myspace.com/dastards to see the all new, all singing, all dancing MySpace page. Our websites under serious maintenance and upheaval too. Also, most excitingly, we've re-recorded Flashlights! That's right, the most Dastard-esque song has been morphed into something bigger and better (or so we hope...). It's going through the mixing process now so should be up and playing online soon.

We've had massive support over the last few months from the BBC - Tom Robinson on BBC6 has been plugging us as one of the sounds to look out for in 2010. Thanks to those guys for that.

Also, there's been some changes in the shadows behind what we do. Nothing is set in stone yet, but the winds are a-changing. We're working on an extra push this Spring to launch ourselves further. Watch this space!

So yeah, exciting times for us. Not only is the band off on a success trip, but my car aced its MOT this morning. Score.

Hope you all had a good Christmas and haven't got too much of a christmas tyre round your middle.

Love to all,

Jx

Takakakaka

I knew, I absolutely KNEW that when I clicked 'create blog' that first time I wouldn't keep it up to date. Well, here's the only post for the last 40 days or so.

What've we been doing? In all honesty, not a lot. We supported Kid Carpet last week (which was great fun - thanks to all) and then secured an unofficial residency at The Drawbridge in Bristol (go and check out an acoustic session from none other than Mr. Dan Wakefield on Friday if you're around - it's free and the support would be much appreciated). Aside from that, we've been settling down in our new homes to usher in the new academic year. Mudie, Jake and Wake all live in Bristol now with George still in the Midlands. We're working on a new studio (!) for rehearsals and creative splurging so that'll be fun! Should be up and running around Christmas.

Aside from that, Mudie's degree at BIMM is proving to be one of the most fruitful networking opportunities for the band (we're playing at the Thekla in Bristol on Monday as a part of his assessment - no pressure or anything...). Wake's been overloaded with production work for other people which, whilst rewarding, is proving to be a pain in the arse judging by his reaction every time it's brought into conversation. George is cool as ever - though working too much for my liking (we miss you, down her George... Come see us...). And I've been doing the same old thing - listening to inaccessible and over complicated music that takes longer to explain than listen to. Questioning the relevance of a lot of the subject matter but I'll roll with it for now. The main question I've started to want to know the answer to is: "Do I really care?". The answer is no, probably not, but if it makes me more employable in three or four years then fuck it, why not stay? I like it in Bristol anyhow. They have boats.

Well, the horizon is a hazy blur of hopes and dreams with the occasional glimmer of reality in our goals. We're playing The Purple Turtle again soon, so you crazy, merry London folk should come along and it will be a healthy blast of Dastardly fun (with added synths now. If only one of my modules was copying Dan Wakefield's music on a Korg Karma - I'd have a doctorate by now...)

Here's a photo of us chilling out in Camden. I like it, and so should you.

Take Care,

Jake x

Oh, Dan and I went to the beach a few weeks ago. We got told off by a coast guard man for being too close to the water and he threatened to get the hovercraft out to "pull us -or our bodies - out of the sand." We were on the edge of going out further - I've always wanted a ride on a hovercraft...

I say 'we'. I was too much of a pussy really...

Catch up!

Goodness me, it's been a while hasn't it? Apologies for not posting anything for a while but we've been busy busy little creatures.

Not a lot to report (as nothing's set in stone at the moment) but come on down to the Purple Turtle in Camden next Thursday and help us impress the PR guys coming down. We're on in the early hours of the evening to accommodate the precious timetable the PR folk need to adhere to so come on down and we can hit Camden town together afterwards.

Aside from that, we're preparing for the M5 Live tour and some support slots - new tracks should be making their way into new sets, so get on down for various premières!

Mad love,

Jx

Camden - thanks to all!

Cheers to all who were at the Ballet of Teeth night in Camden last night. We had a great response including a particularly rowdy (but friendly) group of squaddies. See the pictures below to reminisce or see what you missed. Many thanks to the Fearless Vampire Killers who put on the event and who are doing their bit to keep live music going - there are very few events where one can see bands of such a high calibre for as little as 50p.

Back in Dastardland, our foot's about to hit the accelerator hard - there's a band meeting in the pipeline where we're due to discuss the band's direction for the next few months. We do, of course, want input from you guys on what YOU want too - email us at band@dastards.com with any requests and/or suggestions. This is all in preparation for a meeting with an as-yet-un-namable entity on Monday and are quite excited about the potential consequences! Watch this space for more info if and when we get it.

New live dates are being added almost daily now - keep your eyes on our gig lists to know where we'll be appearing next.

Jx

Dastards preparing themselves onstage in Camden town

George doing what he does best

Jake, thinking he's on a bigger stage than the one he's on...

Mudie - bowl of grapes just out of shot

Interview with System Subculture

"The rhythm section sticks together"

Jake and Mudie were interviewed by System Culture. The interview is published below, or you can view the full feature on their website.

SS: Your live sound is very different to the studio sound. Why is this and which do you prefer?

Josh Mudie (Drums): I like the sound of the studio work but I feel it can sound a little over produced. I personally prefer the live sound, but I'd say it was more just the atmosphere of a live gig that I enjoy.
Jake Bright (Bass): Playing live allows us to strip the sound right back. The studio stuff's great – there're loads of layers and it's really full, but live it's a raw, hard sound. I guess the main difference is that a lot of the studio work is synth based and live we all play guitars.
JM: And drums.
JB: Yeah, and drums.


SS: How does your writing process work?

JM: I don't know, but looking forward to finding out.
JB: Yeah, it's all a bit of a mystery. Wake (Vocals and Guitar) has been writing songs on his own for years and as there's never really been a 'band' as such for him to record with. Pretty much everything on the records is Wake's work.


SS: The records sound incredibly professional. How do you achieve such an impressive sound?

JM: From what I can tell wake appears to be shit hot at logic. Fair play Wake.
JB: Wake's the guy to ask about that. All the songs are recorded at his place. What goes on in there is a mystery.
JM: I reckon he wears a labcoat...


SS: Individually you all have a very different musical background. What are your influences on your respective instruments?

JB: Anyone who gets away from playing roots. I'm an orchestral double bass player too and am forever holding tonic pedals for bars on end. Peter Hook (Joy Division) kind of brought the bass forward a lot. Chris Wolstenholme (Muse) has some pretty good lines, too. Pretty much anything goes, really. Anything with a melody – Dastards basslines do more than sit as a foundation. It's nice to get a bit of attention as a bassist by having some melodic interest.
JM: I grew up as a Zep head. John Bonham I'd say was my biggest influence as a player. Over time it's slowly changed between classic rock to metal, jazz, reggae....and of course whatever genre Dastards falls into. I'm never more than a few metres from a set of sticks and intend on keeping it that way.


SS: What're the highlights so far with the band?

JM: I'm sure I'm expected to say Chagstock
JB: Yeah, it was good to get a feel for the festival vibe this year.
JM: Or perhaps the mini-tour? But I'm gonna say just generally prating about with the rest of the band and having a good time.
JB: Ha! Yeah, hours of waiting between soundchecks needs to be spent in good company. We have a laugh together.


SS: And what are the plans for the future?

JB: More gigs; some support slots with some bigger bands; release an album. Standard really.
JM: World domination.
JB: Sounds like a plan...

Next gig is Sunday 20th September at the Ballet of Teeth Club at Tommy Flynn's in Camden, London. See you there.

Jx

Worcester - tonight

Hey all,

We're playing in Worcester at The Blower (Horn and Trumpet) tonight. Come on down and hear TWO SETS from Dastards - one acoustic set from Wake and then a band set later on. It's gonna be pretty relaxed with proposed DJ sets from Jake and Mudie through the night too! Not sure about the admission fee but a drink for the band will be more than acceptable, I'm sure!

See you later,

Jx

DASTARDS come to Bristol and Worcester - with Kids' toys...?

We're pleased to anounce that Dastards will be supporting nostalgic electro maestro Kid Carpet at The Cooler in Bristol on November 7th. Come on down and party along to Casio keyboards, Gameboys and Tamagotchis with us! Should be mad... Join the Facebook event here

We have also confirmed that we are playing the Midlands leg or the M5 Live tour. The gig will take place on October 10th in The Marrs Bar in Worcester. See you there!

Jx