beat us over the head

It only takes us corporal punishment and traces of sadism to change our ways, really.

In our latest recordings, Matt and I are finally trying what warm-blooded friends have asked, prodded, and demanded that we do for years: make a record that consists of what we no live and little to nothing else. Well, that effort is finally underway. And guess what? Early indications are that it sounds really wonderful. Mark Lynch is helping with the recording tasks and aesthetic choices, and he basically put his foot down on electronic loops, subtle overdubs, synthy bits and the like that I so love. The songs that we are recording are raw, flawed, one-armed, and barefooted. Vocals come this weekend.

Of course this only opens the door for a 180-degree shift in what the next record may entail. (and please forgive the use of the lovely word "record". . .I won't give it up, nor what it represents, even as we embrace the digitalism). Artistically, things are happening and we dig it.

Did I mention a new label relationship is in the works too? More on that soon.

this confederacy, this war.

Lyrics from an older, unreleased song that we resurrected and are set to release later this year. It seems more appropriate than ever, in some ways.

Confederate Dunce

Get back to Carolina

You know what it is, know what it is, yeah you know what it is

Been there once, had a few friends that never left

Yeah, confederate dunce

Asleep in the road

I thought he’d be dead, thought he’d be dead, yeah thought he’d be dead

But keeping it simple keeps you safe in bed

Down with your man, and

What’s the matter with that?

Isn’t it what you were born to do?

Animals do it and so should you

But you’re the one who slips through the cracks

So get back home to bed

And the magazines you already read

Why don’t you chew on that, chew on that, chew on that

It’s American fat

Yeah, the victim is kicking your ass

He knows what hurts, knows what hurts, yeah knows what hurts

Knows no better than to hide in church, down with the plan, and

What’s the matter with that?

Everything, oh, everything

When you bolted and the bolt burned

You quietly returned

And the minutes will never tick back

Replace the skin with shellac

You’re the one who slips through the cracks

Get back to Carolina

I’m almost broke, almost broke, yeah almost broke

Career is a joke

And I knew you had it coming when you reached for the yoke

And it went to your head

Yeah, the pitfall. You’re already dead, already dead

With the wherewithal

To walk the strip, wear the hot pants and take all the lip, yes, and

What’s the matter with that?

Isn’t it what you were born to do?

Animals do it and so should you

But you’re the one who slips through the cracks

You're the one who slips through the cracks.

Words and music, Justin Faircloth

jalapeno

We wrote a new song last night. . . as yet unnamed but conceptually it came from dinner, over a couple Bell's ales and a mexican pizza with fresh jalapenos. The idea is one of a love that you know is going to hurt, and in some small sadistic way the expectancy is exciting, the precursor to the hurt. The spiciness!

Matt is into full force experimentation and refinement on the Moog Voyager, and this song came together in a hurry. It was written very softly, similar to our older song Do What We Can in that it is right now a series of verses bounded by instrumental sections with a very small variation in structure. That is subject to change, of course, always. I just remembered that I dreamed the refrain last night and haven't tried it yet. We'll see.

out of the dark

Hi all--
Apperently the blogger in me took a long winter's nap there for a bit, and. . .now it's august. A quick update: Matt and I are working on a new EP and speaking with a few industry friends (no, not an oxymoron nor moron) on a release plan. Check out the new site! Designed by super-Virginia, you can find it at: www.houstonsmusic.com.

We need more video? Anyone holding on to any that you might share? Hit me up here.

Welcome, welcome back, and I promise there's more to come soon. Justin