Tuesday 4 December 2012

Does not play well with others.

Hello!

Now, this evening I was sat with my guitar, having a think about what I'm doing musically.

I think it's safe to say that I have a very volatile personality, as most of you will know, it's something that has developed over time due to the copious amounts of medication, and the longer it goes on, the harder it is to go back and deal with it.

But what I have discovered is that in terms of being in a band, I really don't get on well, as much as I enjoy playing loud, and writing my own music. But when I write my own music, I have my own ideas on how I want it to sound, in the sense that it was written to sound that way, and when we get going  and I automatically notice that the only thing that sounds right, is my part, because the other people in the band aren't me, and that is what annoys me, the only natural way to come up with material for a band is for said band to jam, and most of the bands I've been in just haven't wanted to jam and experiment, because it has been a strict schedule of rehearsing, and nothing else.

So now, I'm out of a band and most notably, out of an urge or desire to ever want to be in a band again, I like to do things my way, and not have to worry about other bandmates attitudes or commitments, and like MANY times I've said I'm recording the album, I actually am now, I've recruited the help of my long time friend and bass player Richard, and we're planning on getting 8 songs down and putting it on sale, because I can gladly sit here at the mac for hours on end programming drums and recording guitar riffs and recording ideas like I want them to sound.

I know I've said I'm recording yadda yadda, but I actually have a notepad rammed with tracks and ideas I've noted down over the last year, of course I'm not a singer, or a lyricist but I'm writing alot more upbeat heavy instrumentals, and as proven with my friend Nick Latham earlier this year, there is still an audience for instrumental music, and I want a piece of that audience, because now I'm happy with my music and the sound, and I think other people might like to hear it!

For now, I have 6 songs recorded and ready for Rich to lay down bass on, a couple more and hopefully in 2013, I hope my debut solo album will be available at all major online outlets!

With luck, I may have some other collaborators too.

Thanks for reading

Your Pal
LC

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Longing and other assorted love songs...

Hey everybody!

We're gonna have some fun, we're having a magic party and I thought you might like to come!

But seriously, welcome to another edition of my fantastic blog!

And by fantastic, I mean a little mundane!

Now, if you read my last post I mentioned a mystery lady, who again for reasons beyond my control I can't name, but I'll go into the specifics of what's gone down.

I've known her for a couple of years now, she's just been an acquaintence for a while, but this year we've really gotten to know each other well, and we trust each other enough now that she's told me alot of very personal things, I've been there for her, and she's been there for me. More importantly an issue that's arisen with women I've tried to get close to is my epilepsy and the problems it causes, it intimidates alot of people and I can understand why, it still doesn't make it easier when it drives people away, but this girl understands, and she understands my unpredictable/volatile personality, because she is exactly the same, and it is very nice to have that common ground with someone. She's had as hard a time in life as I have, and that's what really kicked it off between us.

And that's the thing, even though I'm big, intimidating, and most notably into my hard rock music, some might say that someone as small, gobby and into modern pop as she is may not even have the slightest thing in common, but we do, and that is what I love about her.

There's that word again, love, it's a strong word and I'm not using it lightly, it is a love for her that I have, and I mean that, but the thing is I don't have it in me to tell her about it, let me tell you why...

I've described how good a friendship we have, and how nice a girl she is but the kicker is, is that she has alot on her plate as it is, and I imagine the last thing she would need is someone like me filling up what little spare time she has, which is logical, but it still doesn't stop it hurting me every time I see her.

I plan out ways I might tell her, but everytime I see her I just crumble, and any of you that know me well enough will know, that I don't crumble at all.

Now I've felt this way for months, since about May, infact, and I still haven't had the guts to tell her how I feel about her, no matter what people say or advise, it takes alot.

So yeah, I feel I had to get it out there

Thanks for reading
LC

Monday 19 November 2012

The Dream Is Collapsing

Hello hello hello!

Fancy seeing you here, dyou come here often?

Now I'm very sorry that I haven't written in a while, it's just a case of I've been occupied but now I aim to rectify that!

You know who I am, and you know why you're here. How have you been? It's been a while and I do have alot to tell you, so here goes!

It has been a very strange year for me, every aim that I had in January has collapsed down into a sea of despair, I left Framed, rejoined them for one gig, was told bluntly I wasn't wanted, so I no longer wish to be associated with them, I'll only keep in touch with Joe because he's a damn good guitar tech, and Kim, because she's awesome.

It has, however, been a big year for Me, Chris and Rob. We started up That Manly Gaming Blog and we've pretty much hit 100 videos, whereas we don't have much of a following, we do have 2,500 views and 23 subscribers, which is alot more than we ever thought we had, next year however we plan to verge out into a sea of original content, stuff like sketches, podcasts, reviews, parodies and much more, we're gonna do it properly to give all of you a brilliant experience when you watch our silly videos, more details to follow, so keep your eyes out for That Manly Variety Show!

A lot of work, time, money and planning is going into this new stuff so I hope I can rely on you, my dear readers to support us in our quest for YouTube fame (and maybe fortune)!

In terms of how I'm doing? I'm a little depressed, I'm also besotted with someone, I'll go into that on my next blog!

This year has, however, been a very philosophical year for me, I've had more time to myself, less worries and more time to discover who I am, and what I actually want to do, and some of the realizations have been shocking to say the least, music will be on the backburner, but again, I'll go into this in my next blog!

For now, however, I need to get ready for work, so I'll leave you with my cover of "Skyfall" from the James Bond movie of the same name (go see it, it is awesome)


Thank you so much for reading
Speak soon
Your Pal
Luke Clarke


Tuesday 24 April 2012

April Update

Hey Empire.

I hope you're all well, keeping it real and kicking it old school out there, if not I'm sending a big manly hug your way, you earned it kiddo!

It's April, the weather's all cock-eyed, my head's all over the place, and I'm kind of at a standstill on all fronts, alas, I shan't complain, this is some downtime I've needed for a while, just some time to back off a bit and get a handle on where I am in life.

So, now I'm not in Framed, I'm doing more hours at work and generally lounging about, I've had more time to write a different style of music, more mellow stuff, it's also given me alot of time to analyze myself as a person, the person I know the least it seems, is myself.

But hey, New Guitar Time!

The Danelectro "Dead on '67"
 This fantastic little guitar cost me all of £150, I've always loved the shape of Fender Mustangs/Jazzmasters/Jaguars etc, but never the price of them. This little guitar is discontinued, it's not just a good guitar for £150, it's a great guitar in general, soundclip below!


It's got stock lipstick pickups, and this groovy vibrato bridge that I've never seen, nor used before, it's a lovely guitar, great price and it does the whole surf rock thing perfectly. It's incredibly thin and light, and very comfy to play! I highly recommend it!

So, in summary I've been chilling, meddling with some new songs and I'm now looking at the prospect of putting my own band together, so if you're interested I'm after another guitarist, lead singer and drummer, but I need experience and open mindedness, so tweet me @FantasticBeard and we'll talk

For now, that is all, thanks so much for reading, I'll be posting soon with more news!

Your pal
LC

Friday 30 March 2012

#1 In Boogieland!

Hello everyone!

Welcome to another of my not-so-fantastic-but-still-reasonably-popular blogs!

Fair bit of good news this time around!

After a bit of a wobble last Sunday after an extreme lack of sleep, I went to the hospital yesterday, and my various specialists seem to think I've finally settled into a medication routine that actually works, which I completely agree with, the last full-on fit I had was back in November, now were edging into April.

With the Citalopram and my various other meds doing what they do, I can 100% say that I haven't felt this good in a great number of years, I'm seeing the world from a different angle, I'm finding myself less bitter, enjoying the little things alot more, I've lost weight, I'm finding more effort within myself to keep myself occupied, my guitar playing is better than ever, I'm certainly making progress and anything past this point, to me, is a bonus.

The risks are still here for me to just have a fit out of the blue, or to just snap at people for being loud or annoying, but on the whole I'm noticing little tweaks that are helping me not only see the world from a newer, fresher perspective, but to actually consider more options in the way I live, I'm actually appreciating all of my feelings, because I feel attached to the world now, it's all there, and I have so much drive and positivity behind me to say, "You know, let's have a proper go", I'm mega excited with where the band is going, I've got some of the best friends in the world, the only thing left for me to face is my own confidence issues.

I tend to have always put on a front to cover up everything that's bugging me, at gigs, rehearsals, everyday at work, but now I feel as if it's time I can face up to it and start to not have to worry, I feel as if I can begin to deal with everything I've been hiding for the last few years, which is what I've been wanting for a long time.

So, what else is going on? Well, I've been giving the new Gears of War 3 map pack a going over, it's pretty good, I've been shuffling some new playlists, just generally taking it easy, no other news so to speak, aside from Joe's truly terrible gig promotion, dubbing fans as "Lukaholics", wait no..."Lukaholix" is how he spelt it.

If that's a new faction he's creating amongst our following, we're all doomed!

For now, that's all, my friends

Look after yourselves
I'll see you right here next time!

Monday 19 March 2012

Discovery & Other Assorted Love Songs...

Hey everyone!

Welcome to another edition of my blog, I've got a new playlist on the go, I've donned the Beats and I'm feeling in the mood to write.

It's been just over a week since I started taking my Citalopram, the groovy new anti-depressants that I'm on, and I'll be honest with you, I'm feeling so good right now!

I've not felt this connected for a long time, I feel so alive, so many feelings are coming back to me, I have so much more energy, it's truly amazing and I'm loving it. I'll keep you posted of course, if it gets any better, I'll see it as a bonus, feeling so good!

Legit.

So, I'm feeling great, thinking straight, staying positive, I had a great feeling about going into rehearsal with Framed yesterday and that good feeling paid off. We walked out with 2 new songs pretty much finished, they just need the finishing touches added and they're completed, they sound great, new material has been a long time coming, so it's nice to have 2 songs drop in at one rehearsal, great energy going on, and I'm playing better than I ever have.

As aforementioned, I feel so much more connected and that alone has helped me just put more effort into what I write, and how quickly I can improvise a solo or a lead break, it certainly feels more natural now.

I dunno if I'm getting it across that I feel damn awesome!

Now recently, I've been doing some casual gaming, after spending a long time letting my various consoles gather a vast amount of dust! My main games of choice this last few weeks have been, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and Forza 4! If you haven't already, I suggest you check 'em out, they're pretty good!

Onto recent additions to my music collection! Stacy at work asked me to burn her a few albums, so I did, and I'm finding myself enjoying them! A few tracks have even slipped onto my new playlist! I had no idea she had such a great taste in music, hows about that then!


Tl;dr

It's all good!

Thanks for stopping by
Take it easy

LC