We wish you a Seagull Christmas

Merry Christmas all! I am writing this piece from my grotto back in Essex as the gulls have temporarily flown their separate ways as they visit their respective families. Christmas has been disappointingly low on the snow front but it is always a good time of year to join again with families and eat and drink as much as is humanly possible in as fatty and sugary foods, and as alcoholic beverages as one can find.
The Seagulls had a productive end to 2011 with the recording of their 'Acoustic Squawks' in the Soup Studios's, and with certain artists working on designs for the cover of the ep, the hard copy should soon be available for other members of the flock.
Now, with Christmas being over and the work scene hopefully winding down for the barmen, 2012 should be even more hectic musically. In the upcoming days the recorded tracks will be sent to acoustic venues and hopefully many gigs secured for the early months of 2012 so the Seagulls ascent can continue. The hunt for a drummer will also continue and the heavier penned songs will also hopefully fly onto a disk and into your ears in no time!

Anyway, with all these if's and but's and hopefully's I must depart as my football accumulator is underway... feathers crossed for me, and for the gulls people... and here is the facebook page that has 3 demo tracks and 2 videos for your pleasure! Give it a like and join the flock!! Seagull D/Elfxxxx

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Seagulls/214694068609787?sk=app_178091127385

Acoustic recording!

It has finally happened, the gulls have unleashed their squawking in a studio!

In total we recorded 8 tracks in 8 hours of varying quality under the guidance of Simon from Soup Studios. The gulls went into the studio with the plan to bash as many out as possible and we did just that. We are generally upbeat with the results, especially considering the time restraints and the fact we had to record it all acoustically.

For those who have heard some of our songs you probably wont have heard most of these as we tried to choose those which would best suit an acoustic set. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks we shall be posting the songs gradually online for all to hear!

Here is a snippet to begin with, we hope you enjoy!

http://soundcloud.com/seagulls-1/true-criminal

seagull p over n n' out 

Don't Feed the Seagulls... out in a week!

The Seagulls have big news and are spreading it like old time town criers, with bells and squawks and joy... RECORDING SESSION AT SOUP STUDIO NEXT SUNDAY! An acoustic line up of eight songs is currently being thrown together with somewhat off the cuff unplanned practice sessions whenever there is a spare second / when they are all in the same room. This is unfortunately not as often as it could or should be due to differing slave labour hours.

In recent happenings philip has been technically directing some new video and rough recordings on a number of devices and the results have been looking promising. Encouragement has also been streaming from some listeners with little cough drop joelle having 'i just bought the ocean' stuck in her head for days and making several requests for it to be played while exclaiming that it could be a big hit.

There have been many bottles of wine consumed, drinks out and about and Seagull D made a hazardous trip up to Manchester for the Revs nationwide ball. What can be remembered has been so in a positive light, although working the next 4 days has certainly taken its toll. Luckily today is a rarity, a day off, so music and love will be flowing.

i hope you all bask in the glory of the day of the Sun too.

D out xxxx

Winter wonderland

Time for the gulls to get into the festive mood! After a morning filled with learning various Christmas songs the gulls have decided its about time they saw some of the festive sights of London. Therefore, it's time to fly to Hyde Park for some winter wonderland attractions. Seagull D, seagull P and the Fox Amongst The Seagulls are all off work for the day and so we'll be getting time to catch up and to get some much longed for band practice later! The mood will be jolly, the mood will be optimistic - for whatever the future entails, it can only be bright for the gulls! In other news, seagull P. has landed himself a job as a suit but this means it frees up his time in the evening for gigs and practice.

I leave you with a nice little extract from a Louis MacNiece poem, 'Thalassa':

'Put out to sea, ignoble comrades,

Whose record shall be noble yet;

Butting through scarps of moving marble

The narwhal dares us to be free;

By a high star our course is set,

Our end is Life. Put out to sea'

lots of love ladies n gents, seagull p xxx

It's been a while since we made you smile

Now this may not be in the conventional sense but we do always hope to bring a little curve to the corner of people's lips when they read our recent happenings, something that is commonly known as a smile. While the blog has encountered a little bit of a cold shoulder from the gulls lately, they have been busy as ever. There have been nights out, nights in, late shifts, early shifts, reading books, writing songs, playing music late and being told to shut the fuck up, rotating bed positions, coming and going visitors, various critics, new fans, old ideas reborn, new ideas conceived, rented cars and country trips.... and so forth. Today is an early rise, it is only half past 1 and fox is already showered, my turn awaits. The biggest battle off the time will then continue, the drum hunt. Denmark Street is about to be attacked with new posters to try and find the lost gull, a little shy, a little lost at the moment, but once he has found his flock he will spread those glorious wings and depart into a flight that could leave him anywhere (in albion).

D out  xxx

The Gulls First London Flight

The day after the big first gig and the gulls are contemplating life alongside a meal of pasta-pesto. The gig on a whole was a success with a few minor hiccups (forgotten words, dud notes on the guitar, dodgy amp). A big thank you to all those that attended and another big thank you to the Spread Eagle for spreading their feathered wings in welcome to their brethren birds. We'd also like to thank Claire 'the bottom bitch' McNaney for booking us and wish her all the best with her XLP adventures!

The gig started shakily with a mishap in 'Dreaming Of You' knocking the confidence of the band, but they battled back with 'Don't Look Back into the Sun' and then introduced a couple of their own original songs ('Soft Wax Children', 'Scaremonger'). The rest of the gig passed by quite smoothly, only a few issues with the sound equipment and a couple of slip ups on the ol' instruments. Philip Bogues, the newly appointed band manager, recorded scraps of the gig which should hopefully be uploaded for all the extended flock to enjoy. 

In other news, a brief encounter with some lucky spanish ladies has taught the flock a few words of their beautiful language ("Me gusta ver las hojas(/cono) in oto no). Also, the AllyCat, having frequented the nest regularly in the last couple of weeks, has been appointed an official band groupie.

On the cards for the following week:

- Check out some of the drummers that have replied to our ads-  they range from all ages, sexes and backgrounds. 

- Get a slot at the local open mic night.

Thats all for now ladies and gents. I leave you with a nice little quote from the greek poetess/lyrist Sappho:

'Love unbinds my limbs and leaves me shaking

A monster bitter-sweet and my unmaking'.

seagull p xxx

6 Days to Go Mo'Fo

It's Sunday and the gulls are lapping up pints and free internet in the Corner Flag. Six days till they take to the stage for the first time in England's capital and one of the world's most prominent cities. Beware, danger may flood the streets on Saturday night. The set list has been finalised but there is a lot of practice to be done as the irregular schedules of the young scallywags regularly clash. A sporadic session between DJ and the Fox today went quite swimmingly however. 6 days should provide plenty of time, and hopefully Matt 'the Rat' Pearson will soon scurry back into the nest to add some melodic tones. Tuesday/Weds is penciled in for any MRP fans.


In other news:
1. Phillip Bogues, the latest inhabitant of the nest has a trial shift at a beautifully located riverside pub called the Founder's Arms. Hopefully he can provide as much beauty behind the bar and on the floor as the river does to the customers of the inn.
2. The Fox worked a shift in the Wembley Wetherspoons, cleaning, scrubbing and grubbing amongst the fanatical football hooligans that roamed around outside of the ground. He prevailed however, and is doing his 'Training to be Be Perfect' badge proud. : ) england 1-0 spain, phil jones masterclass.

SATURDAY 19th NOV - Spread Eagle, Camden, be there.

over and out, D xxx

All That Jazz

After a few days working and trying to sort out internet and other such mundane matters the gulls had a classy night out in Ronnie Scotts courtesy of Georgia. They were in the top room where a number of other aspiring hopefuls were performing. The talent was good, with a particular female singer from a 3 piece catching the eye. However, the gulls are confident that they themselves could play an acoustic set at the venue to similar successful effect. The downstairs were the true pro's were performing was unfortunately not frequented but that stage too is on the radar ;).
In other news the nest has a new inhabitant. A young Irish ruffian known by the name of Phillip Bogues who upped his roots at short notice to live the London dream. He is now on the job hunt but no doubt will be lapped up by a manager somewhere soon considering he has previous experience and an abundance of charm. So wings crossed yet again guys, and look out for those shooting stars.

D xxx

Fairytales of Finsbury Park

With the nest finally built the gulls have had a hectic few days settling in and making the flat a home. With the instruments set up and clothes strewn everywhere it is starting to resemble some of the places they have called their habitats in the past.

The pubs of the area have been explored, the Quays being a favourite for food, and the Corner Flag where this entry is being logged from a firm favourite currently as it offers free wi-fi while the gulls hunt and scrap to establish more permanent means of worldly communication.

A quiet night in on Thursday turned into quite the debaucherous candlelit affair after Vodkat and Sidekick were purchased from the local Food and Wine shop. Originally the night had been a classy affair with a delightful sweet chilli chicken and rice dish being whipped up by DJ and his kitchen femme fatales Claire and Georgia, but went swiftly downhill (uphill?) after the cheap and intoxicating substances were purchased to compliment the dinner and wine previously consumed. The fox amongst the flock put in a particularly fantastic performance, blocking a sink after becoming hooked on the substances to a dangerous degree. He has now sworn he will hit the Vodkat wagon so no need to worry for the health of the rascal. 

Talking of the lad, please cross all wings and feathers for him tomorrow as he has an interview with a local Spoons.

Saturday night was a similarly shambolic affair but for the other two gulls who celebrated a rare night away from the mines by rinsing free alcohol from their two working houses. It included P chatting away to a lovely Czech girl and telling her numerous repetitive tales and DJ signing a girls boob who he had served earlier in the day. They then got upon the wrong train and ended up recklessly taking two tubes, a bus and a train back to Essex, with DJ insulting the entire female population of Romford along the way by announcing to a group of Romford girls that all girls from there were slags.

That's all for now fellow high fliers, next update will be soon, and hopefully from the nest. Gig on the 19th, shipadee doo... more to follow, and peace be with all of you.

D out xxx

(p.s. the 'rat' pearson made an appearance... seagull p xx)

The Fox Amongst the Seagulls

The Fox Amongst the Seagulls complained last night that he was never mentioned in our blog. However, he refuses to give any input himself to the blog. Therefore, I'm going to track his progress in London to this date.

1) He came to London

2) He went home

3) He was meant to come back at a certain date

4) He did not come back at that date

5) He was meant to come back at a new date

6) He did not come back at that date

7) He meant to come at another new date.

8) He did not come back at this date.

9) He meant to come back at another new date

10) He actually made it on this date

BUT

11) Then he went home to say farewells once again :S

12) He was meant to come back today

13) Defying all expectations he came back last night and not today.

The gulls are very proud of him.

Now all he needs to do is find a feckin' job.

seagull p xx

Finsbury Debut complete, night bus confusion and the foote

So the first night in the nest at Finsbury has been completed after a somewhat turbulent journey home from a late night in London. After taking an impromptu tour of Soho and Covent Garden, accidentally flying off in all directions - north, south, east and west, the gulls made it back to their roost in the early hours. With only one duvet it was a cosy affair but nonetheless satisfying considering the homeless antics of late. The walls may still be bare but the rooms of the Hornsey Road flat are filled with dreams, and the atmosphere tense due to the upcoming shinanigans. Decorations are to be added as soon as they can be shifted from the numerous resting places where they are currently scattered.

In other news Blackburn still can't manage a win. With another (still all too rare) strong performance they came away with just a point from Carrow Road despite leading 3-1. Whilst they were unlucky, especially with the penalty, they need to be able to close out a game against a side of Norwich's calibre when leading by 2 goals if they are to have any chance of survival. Let's just hope the gulls aren't going to follow a similar path as the once mighty Rovers....

D over and out xx

Finsbury Park Declared New Centre of London

Finsbury Park has been named as the new centre of London. This has coincided with the Seagulls moving there, so it has not been greeted as a big surprise. Housing demands and property prices are expected to rocket as people attempt to get as close as possible to the gulls.

No need to worry though, these humble creature will be doing all they can to give back to the community

xxx

Fingers Crossed for Finsbury Park

So after quite some time of unsuccessful flat hunting in bethnal green, which was detrimental to the seagulls morale, it looks like a new nest may have appeared in the horizon in the area of finsbury park. let's all hope that this isnt a mirage, similar to a man seeing a kebaby and water well when in the desert. tomorrow morning at 10am could be the big signing, so all please keep your fingers and feathers crossed for the young wreckless birds known as the gulls. we will keep you posted.

no longer need a queen in bethnal green, but let's hope to find that spark in finsbury park

love and peace with you all, D xxx

The Seagulls of the Revolution

Come 29th October you will see Seagull D dressed in beautifully aghast attire in the sumptuous streets of Soho within the walls of Revolution for the annual Halloween party. This is the big warm up for when his true crimson colours will be unveiled with the rest of the gulls ghoulish gowns and antics upon the 5th of November when the Guy Fawkes of this generation will jump upon stage to bring out more fireworks than possible in any other indoor venue.

Seagulls D out... love, peace, and a little bit of schizophrenia xxxxxxxx

Seagull P's first post.

Well, ladies and gents this is seagull p's first update and while I am writing seagull d. is serenading me with post-smiths morrissey songs - seagull d. has a wonderful voice but morrissey without the smiths is pure and utter shit... but moving on to the happy happenings of london. We currently don't have flat, as previously stated, which is a major lack of a happy happening. However, some of the flock have secured jobs, so if you are in soho and fancy sampling an extensive range of ales come visit seagull p in the 'dog and duck'. Personally i don't like ale, except one called blackout which tasted like chocolate... at least they still sell guinness.
The musical front has been quite quiet, however we have managed to squeeze some band practice in between our busy schedules and do have a song or two with potential. We've had a couple of night outs and seagull P and D have had a couple of drunken clashes over erm... we're not quite sure what but we're always friends come the morning. Seagull P has had another couple of personal blows to his morale which have left him in a sorry state but on the plus side this should add to his ability to make 'sweet sweet music' (quote from the fox among the seagulls). Time to depart... I wish you all a bountiful few days. Time to get some red wine flowing...

P.s. drummers get in touch?

The Seagulls Prayer to the Sun God

The Seagulls prayer book lists:

-gather the flock together

-find a nest

-practice for the upcoming gig on 5th november - perfect the dulcet tones/noisy annoying ringing 'music'

(soft wax children, tralee, scaremonger, path of the dead, i just bought the ocean, fairytale = priorities)

-3 points for blackburn at Ewood and a mysterious happening which means Steve Kean leaves Blackburn's managerial position but comes to no physical harm.

over and out chanty boys and gals

Nest Hunt continues

It's been a turbulent start for the Seagulls since coming inland. From the serenity and beauty of Tynemouth in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, adaptation to the hustle and bustle of the big smoke has proved tiresome. This has not been helped by the trouble with regards to securing a new nest. Sunbury Avenue of Jesmond had welcomed the young birds with open arms, but every time the youthful scallys have tried to secure a new cove to rest their weary heads in London they have been ousted by noisier, more street wise creatures. The hunt continues however, so fingers/feathers crossed, it shouldn't be too long until Lady Luck hands them a break, and their tuneful squawks maraud the land once more.