FKBC (lyrics too)

Good evening, I’m rather pleased to say we’ve finished the first song from our upcoming ep "Disagreements." It is the awkwardly named track "Fat Kids Big Cars." I think you’ll be able to guess what it’s about from the lyrics so I’ll leave that up to you, but it’s a curious little song that’s been floating its way to the surface over the past month.

Isabelle and I had been trying to write another track when the chord progression to FKBC came out in a two minute flurry. I made sure to capture the rough idea, but we put it aside for a little bit so that we could focus on the other song, Please. I knew there was something cool about it because it seemed so simple and direct. It lived under the working title "Kinks Idea" for a couple months (just to give you an concept of how it sounded originally); almost like a punk song. However, my version of Punk Rock has always been tainted by New Wave, so I question if I could write a true Punk song! I don’t reckon Isabelle’s ever really been a fan of any Punk bands in her past either (Blisterene wasn’t punk, more like power pop) so as we shifted the vibe towards the 80’s skinny tie sound it seemed more exciting to both of us.

This was possibly the most labored 2 minute song I’ve ever done. I got the notion into my head to play the drums on the song a while back, and because we have a little kit in the basement already setup I spent two days figuring out the part and rehearsing it over and over until I got something listenable. (The adage "Jack of All Trades- Master of None" does really apply here). In all it took two days and 48 takes to get the song down, and that’s for a two minute song! However, the sound is unique and I like how trashy it sounds, something Kevin, or Jesse, or Jonas can’t really do, they’re all too good! The joys of novice playing.

Jordy Birch helped me out on this one too. I’d recorded the guitar parts but because of the tempo and the way the chords jumped around, and even though they’re all just barre chords, I didn’t really get anything that sounded "in tune" enough to want to release it. Jordy (the former lead singer of Pure) and I have been working on his new band Guilty About Girls at the house for the last six months as well, so one afternoon after demoing his latest creation (a mad number that’ll probably go to number One titled "Karaoke With Me") I asked him to replace the guitar parts in the chorus. Which he did wonderfully, he’s got a similar aggressive style to me, but it sounds more in tune. So the guitars you hear are me in the verses (basically doubling the bassline) and him in the choruses (doing the actual guitar playing!). Once again, Thank You Jordy! The rest of the bits are just Isabelle and me doing our thing.

This song is a bit of a departure from the tone of our first album and may be where we go for the next full length. However it’s much too soon to decide such things as we’ve still got the other four songs to wrap up, and then acquire the genius of Rob Edmonds to once again provide the artwork. I have my eye on one of his paintings that would be perfect for the ep, but he’s suggested he may have another work up his sleeve. 

We both think this would be great for an ep titled "Disagreements" but you can’t rush inspiration. Plus, Rob’s so damn good that I’m curious now to see what he comes up with after listening to all the songs.

You can probably tell that I’m excited about this track. It’s been a lot of work: ironically, the shortest song we’ve ever recorded has possibly been the most labour intensive to write and record. Please have a listen and let us know what you think. I know Isabelle loves it and I think I just might too. We’d really like to hear from everyone what they make of it!

Many thanks once again for reading. Cheers and good night/good morning.

caio.

Mark    

24 Mar 2008

Fat Kids Big Cars - Lyrics

We’re still finishing up the recording on this song, but it’s coming along very nicely. Jordy Birch was ever so kind as to lay down a guitar part on it yesterday, which compliments the tone of the piece very nicely. He’s got a great punk rock style but it’s in tune y’know? Isabelle put her vocals down on Saturday night and now all that’s left is for Nick to come up with a dazzling keyboard part and we’re done!

I’m a bit proud of the lyrics to this one, they’ve been coming to me in small pieces for a month now. I do think they are completed finally, and therefore I’m eager to share!

FAT KIDS BIG CARS

fat kids, big cars
crime scene, movie stars
fast food, gasoline
Hollywood magazine

Maybe we’ve all been on holiday
but these things you’re telling me
are weightless

hooked on jellybean,
diet coke and vaseline
infrared celebrity
flashing pink on my tv
big road loyalty,
closing down community
internet conspiracy
is questioning democracy
destination corporation, selling out the population
education, big sensation, inspiration, fuel a nation

Maybe we’ve all been on holiday
but these things you’re selling me are weightless
See what they have done while we all looked away
these dreams you’re selling me are weightless
they are weightless
the weightless
you are weightless



ctv march 2008