x Bob

Before the dye met the tie.

x x x

Making the EP covers

Hey, there’s been a load of you who’ve been asking about this EP “Old Books . . . .” Obviously I’ve kinda got my eye set on current / future projects, but I am gonna print some more up that will be available at our TBC London and Medway dates at the beginning of July. If whoever wants them can tell me asap and I shall make to order. x Lupen

PS – Just cuz the blog thing looks weird without colour, here’s 150 puzzle pieces that I’ve sprayed today. I’ve used a high gloss enamel and made holes through each of them – when you see the finished thing this painful process will make sense.

Hey punk rockers, got the first 50 covers for the EP finished today . . . 100 to go! x

Last Thursday, I drove Mr Crook over to Cyclone so he could place the order for the initial batch of CDs for the new EP – The Lost Belongings.  He handed over a master CD from Ranscombe Studios and a copy of his & Tom’s artwork for the CD label (or whatever it’s called when it’s actually printed onto the CD itself).

We had a discussion about what background colour should be used for the artwork.  Mr Crook preferred a plain silver background, on which the black band logo, CD title and so on would be printed.  Graham of Cyclone thought the text might be hard to read and suggested white instead.  Mr Crook was unconvinced.

Then Graham mentioned that the background colour could actually be anything the band wanted, without increasing the cost.  Inspiration struck.  Within minutes, pink paint samples from the canvas EP sleeves, splattered all over Mr Crook’s shoes and jeans, were being matched with a Pantone colour guide.

Was this a sound idea or a mad scheme?  Another opinion was needed.  Tom was contacted and the possibilities explained to him.  “Pink or silver?” Mr Crook asked.  “Pink, you fool!” was the reply.  Graham worked his design magic on the artwork, also adding a baby-blue section.  The result was gorgeous.

The master CD was double-checked, the cash was handed over, hands were shaken and the deal was done.  This beautiful idea was one step closer to becoming a tangible reality.  Here’s a short snippet of footage showing Graham reviewing the inter-song gaps, with a few tantalising hints of some of the EP’s five tracks:

Two feet under, dirty sheets, whilst she was sleeping. Acrylic on Canvas. 4ft x 4t.

This Photograph was taken shortly after we finished mixing the new album. It was a long day of button pushing and fader sliding.  We are both asleep in this picture!

Tom

x

Sick of the canvas sleeves, but while I regain my sanity, thought this might turn out to be a nice painting to go with the song ‘Pirate’s Wife’ or perhaps my short story of Medway – ‘Invicta’s Belly’.