Alex’s Blog / 02.14.09
By Matt Burgess • Feb 15th, 2009 • Category: Alex Speaks...Glen Campbell is singing “Rhinestone Cowboy” on Craig Ferguson, and he’s wearing my jacket from Urban Outfitters. Whatever. It doesn’t fit me anymore anyway. You can have it, Glen. Is that The Strokes backing him up?
It hasn’t even been a week and already thousands of people have downloaded One Last Century from Paste’s website. What can I say? To everyone out there helping to spread the word: Thank you. You are all directly responsible for getting this music to people’s ears.
A few people have asked about the liner notes, who played on what, etc. We putting it together now. It’s kind of backwards, I know. We’re still trying to find our way through this new territory. What I can tell you is the song “55 Pictures” was written and performed by the original members—me, Steven Terry, David Chernis, and Ted Hudson—with producer Freddy Wall contributing his slide expertise. This song was a last minute addition. I’m glad it’s on there. It started in Ted’s apartment in Brooklyn a few years ago. We were just hanging out. Beers were going around. Dave was making jokes and everyone was laughing, wishing they were half as funny. Steve was off in a corner playing some chords and humming a melody. “Is that for your solo record?” someone asked. “Alex,” Steve said. “Write some lyrics for it.” I took the parts home that night, added some chord changes to the verse and chorus, and penned the lyrics. At first I didn’t know what to write about. When I put the pen to paper, it came in a flood. I couldn’t get the words down fast enough. Paper, breath, bone—all of it was just in the way. I sang it for the band the next day. Dave and Ted made some more changes to the music and wrote the bridge. After practice Steve took me aside. “Thanks,” he said. “Thanks for making my song ours.” That was my one of my favorite moments with those guys.
Matt Burgess is Matthew Burgess, aka Burgo (whichever you prefer, really). A Damnwells fan, he likes listening to music, mangling his guitar, and working towards getting worldwide recognition for his fabulous pastas. He lives in constant fear of being found out.
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I love the new cd. Even though I have appreciated The Damnwells for years I prob would not have the new cd if it weren’t for Paste. And, I will request you on KFOG. I think you and them would make a great fit.
Good job boys and thanks!
Charyn
Love the new record. “55 Pictures” is my favorite song of the year so far! Come to Memphis!
I stumbled across the “One Last Century” download via Paste and Heather Browne’s blog out of Colorado Springs, “I Am Fuel, You Are Friends”. Such a wonderful and generous gift! Your gift has prompted me to make a few gifts locally, thank you for the reminder to try to live in generosity & gratitude.
Alex – I don’t know how long you and the band worked on the album, but if being in Iowa City had any impact on the final result all I can say, “Thank the heaveans you found the heartland!” What a strong collection of songs! I’ve been listening almost exclusively to some local Minneapolis artists (shout out to Meredith Fierke, Mary Everest & Haley Bonar – all can be found on MySpace) for the past few weeks, but you’ve forced me to make space in my playlist. I’ve found myself playing “Everything” over and over. I am loathe to do the e-chainmail thing, but I will definitely heed your request and bombard my family, friends & acquaintances with the Paste url.
Thanks again!
jim
ps – big ol’ kudos to Matt for the site – great job!
great album…………….thanks, saw you guys in los angeles last night, good set.
peace & love,
paul
alex, would it be possible to get a chord chart for sleep singing?, i was looking at a video of you performing it and the double capo action threw me way off, thanks, paul