Hi boys 'n' girls,
I just wanted to give you a little update on a new album I'm recording at the moment. All original music, that at this point I'm going to let escape as a solo project. I'm in the process of putting a live band together to hopefully do some gigs in the summer. The songs are fairly straight forward in structure and quite keyboard driven with a focus on melody. The album is currently called: 'Destroy All Monsters' the song titles are:
The Last Time
Winter to Summer
Signs of Life
Sometimes
Open
Secret Lives
Promised
Small Hours
Destroy All Monsters
I'll put a sampler together in the coming days and post it up so you can have a listen. I just realised I need to sort out a website too, yikes...and all that other stuff that goes with it. Release date? I haven't a clue, hopefully March/April.
For now that's all the news, happy Friday !!!
Dec out xx
Great news Dec - look forward to hearing the sampler soon!!! 8-)
:D Yay - some good news for a change! I'll look out for it.
Great name BTW! 8-)
Sir Dec of Burkelingtonshire in Destroy All Monsters.
Has a certain ring to it, no?
Be good to hear the sampler Dec, and like DS said, good to hear something positive!
Excellent news, Sir Dec. Looking forward to hearing it. Will the sampler be on your MySpace page?
DAM that sounds good...
Looks like Dec got his Tax return done early.....
Looking forward to this, sounds interesting.
AWESOME! I love the title!
I'm looking forward to hearing this. Sounds like fun!
Oooh, this is going to be good! :D
My ears are drooling in anticipation!
Believe me, it's not a pretty sight.
Moist with anticipation.
Oh boy, I really can't wait for this.
Thanks for he feedback guys, I put a little 2 minute sampler up over here: //http://www.myspace.com/decburke
More soon
Enjoy
Dec xx
I like! :D
The guitar work on the 2nd section is brilliant.
Looking forward to more in due course.
Very nice! Looking forward to this one. Good stuff, as usual.
sounds great, Dec!! can't wait to hear more!
Sounds superb Dec 8-)
Any idea on an ETA for it?
Album will probably be out at the end of April-ish - provisionally...
Very nice music indeed! I can't wait to hear it all! :)
Sampler sounds great :D
Sounds rather tasty!
boys and girls thanks for the support, that's very kind.
The songs are really shaping up now, with just a few vocal melody changes to the chorus of the title track, vocals to add to 'Small Hours' a few extra guitar bits here and there and odds and sods here and there too. I'm still sticking with an April release all being well. There will be some friends adding their magic to proceeding in the bass and drum departments, and we're there. One thing that has surprised me though is how keyboard driven it is more than guitar, well to my ears anyway. :D But that said the guitars are big and when it comes to gig this puppy a second guitarist will be needed, preferably one that can add vocals too. :D
xx
All sounds good Dec can't wait to hear it :D
Quote from: "Dec"boys and girls thanks for the support, that's very kind.
The songs are really shaping up now, with just a few vocal melody changes to the chorus of the title track, vocals to add to 'Small Hours' a few extra guitar bits here and there and odds and sods here and there too. I'm still sticking with an April release all being well. There will be some friends adding their magic to proceeding in the bass and drum departments, and we're there. One thing that has surprised me though is how keyboard driven it is more than guitar, well to my ears anyway. :D
Dec .. who's played on it so far ... or is it all you ?
Hi Dave - at the moment my good friend Steve Kightley has played bass on three tracks, Tim Churchman will be adding some drums, some are programmed. There will be a couple of other dudes adding some magic too, more news soon. Guitars/Keys/ some Bass & Vox are me.
cheers
Dec
There's no end to your talents, Dec!
Quote from: "Dec"Hi Dave - at the moment my good friend Steve Kightley has played bass on three tracks, Tim Churchman will be adding some drums, some are programmed. There will be a couple of other dudes adding some magic too, more news soon. Guitars/Keys/ some Bass & Vox are me... cheers .. Dec
Well it's sounding chuffing great, you've got the chops on bass and the ironing board too ! :D
It all sounds absolutely marvelous! And the title is still one of the best ever. 8-)
It's all coming on REALLY well and things are definitely moving on this one. You know, I wouldn't be at all surprised if a gig or two were to be announced soon, either.
keyboard driven....I like it already
This is good news! Looking forward to getting my hands on the CD :)
The way things are happening at present, that'll probably be some time in May, all being well.
Really looking forward to this one, I have high hopes.
Quote from: "catherine"The way things are happening at present, that'll probably be some time in May, all being well.
As long as it's on my ipod by the time I go on Hols in July, then that's OK :)
Here is the cover artwork for the new CD. Done by the fantastic VitiminP
Awesome!! :twisted:
That is SO fucking cool.
I'd better get my sig updated then! :D
With artwork as brilliant as that, who in their right mind would eschew it for a mere download?
It's fabulous!
Brilliant! :D
Anyone know of where i could purchase said album (when it is out)?
Dec? :D
Hi Gav - CD will be available towards the end of May from //http://www.decburke.com
There's a holding page up now, and will be fully running very soon
Cheers mate
Dec
Fab artwork! :)
Sounding and now looking great. Where would modern prog in the UK be without Paul Tippett to provide such fantastic artwork - what a star! :D
Noice! Loving the artwork, complete with Rush font! I'm sold already. :)
love the cover, dec! can't wait for the album!!
Quote from: "Dec"Hi Gav - CD will be available towards the end of May from //http://www.decburke.com
There's a holding page up now, and will be fully running very soon
Cheers mate
Dec
Thank you very much Dec :D
I'm very much looking forward to it! :mrgreen:
I've heard that a certain Frost*ie has been - and will be - involved with some guitar-strumming.
Splendid stuff.
And having played with him a couple of weeks ago, I can certainly vouch for his skillz.
I'll certainly be buying a copy, and the artwork is stunning.
And another sale coming from here Dec.
Having been one of the lucky few to have heard "Open" as work in progress at The Peel, I'm looking forward to hearing how it ended up...
Ill have a copy as well just hope its released soon I'm gong away at the end of may so it would be great to get it on my ipod for my hols. stunning art work by the way
And another sold here - really liking what I've heard so far on the snippets and having met Dec a couple of times at IB gigs I'm only too happy to support such a nice bloke in whatever musical things he does.
Also encouraged by the myspace blog which makes mention of the live line-up - hopefully a Midlands based gig in there somewhere please Dec!!!!! 8-)
Hi guys, newbie here!!
DAM's gonna be COOOOOLL!!! :D ;)
Welcome, PelicanMan. Yes, it is!
Welcome PelicanMan!
You are soo right about DAM...DAM right in fact!
DAM right! :twisted: :D
Got my last bass part for DAM in the bag last night, (Signs of Life). It's all sounding DAM fine, I must say!! :D
ROCK!!
Anyone fancy Black Bonzo on 23 July in Kilburn?
Sir Declan of Burkeshire is the support!
Quote from: "Dec"Here is the cover artwork for the new CD. Done by the fantastic VitiminP
I like the font you've used there Dec.
Kinda reminds me of Rush's Snakes & Arrows.
Oh, wait a minute.................... lol
:mrgreen:
Quote from: "PelicanMan"Got my last bass part for DAM in the bag last night, (Signs of Life). It's all sounding DAM fine, I must say!! :D
ROCK!!
Hey Steve,
DAM right on matey!!!
Can't wait to hear them DAM fine basslines of yours!!
:D :mrgreen:
QuoteHey Steve,
DAM right on matey!!!
Can't wait to hear them DAM fine basslines of yours!!
:D :mrgreen:
I'm not so sure about that, but it's all good stuff with loads of energy and the usual quality song writing/guitar/vocals from Dec!!
Update from Sir Declan on his MySpace site
//http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=183065663&blogId=533479403
He he! One more day at school then three days playing with big boys toys! ;)
Dec has HUGE talent. I hope everyone gets behind him and supports him 100%, 'cos he deserves a break!!
SK
I'm hugely excited about being involved in all this. Looking forward to seeing what this band can do and getting out there and gigging it all, now. Think I've got my work cut out with learning all the guitar parts, mind :p
Quote from: "PelicanMan"Dec has HUGE talent. I hope everyone gets behind him and supports him 100%, 'cos he deserves a break!!
We're forming an unruly queue behind him here (if that's possible...)
Well the album is with pressing people at the moment, finished copies should be back by the 25th ish. Nervous? yes, very !!!
The website will be up by mid next week so pre-orders can happen then, I'll be personally sending out copies from my little sweat shop, I've got a box of jiffy bags :D sounds a bit rude......ahem....
Met with David Elliott from the European Perspective today what a top bloke !!! So if you fancy a listen to one of the songs in it's entirety, check out his show tomorrow, he's going to play 'Small Hours' and include an interview we did today.
I'm at the Peel on June 12th as part of Mattfest, if you're there please come and say hi.
Dec xx
can't wait, Dec!!!
and yes, David is Wiflingly Amazing!
This is most welcome news. Glad to hear it, Sir Burkeingtonhamshire.
Quote from: "Dec"Met with David Elliott from the European Perspective today what a top bloke !!! So if you fancy a listen to one of the songs in it's entirety, check out his show tomorrow, he's going to play 'Small Hours' and include an interview we did today.
Downloaded the programme - heard interview (55 minutes in) and "Small Hours" (75 minutes in) - like it - buying it.
www.decburke.com (http://www.decburke.com) is now open for pre-orders - get them while they're hot... :D
can't wait for this, sounds farking amazin'
Quote from: "davejd"can't wait for this, sounds farking amazin'
yeah, I am loving "Small Hours"!!
Quote from: "catherine"http://www.decburke.com is now open for pre-orders - get them while they're hot... :D
Just tried and same intro screen as before - don't tell me they've gone already?
Looks fine to me. Have you possibly tried force refreshing (Ctrl-F5)?
Quote from: "flamadiddle"Looks fine to me. Have you possibly tried force refreshing (Ctrl-F5)?
Cheers! Good job somebody knows what they're doing!
Duly pre-ordered! 8-)
Quote from: "gr8gonzo"Duly pre-ordered! 8-)
me, too!!
Quote from: "rogerg"Quote from: "gr8gonzo"Duly pre-ordered! 8-)
me, too!!
Me three! :D
Just wanted to offer my congrats to our very own Flamadiddle who's not only part of Dec's live band but also takes a solo in Small Hours. 8-)
Order the album and hoping to see the band live at some point!!!! :D
At last, I've been waiting patiently to order the CD, job done :D
Dec's planning to have them with us by the end of May, which is the same time as.........
Dec old chum, I was just wondering how many copies are left, and if any more will be printed after the first batch has gone, since I'm not really in the financial position to buy it now :(
Ordered :D
This just in....
//http://www.progrockrecords.com/press/view.php?id=122
Available in shops! Good Times!!! :mrgreen:
Dear lovely people who have pre-ordered Destroy All Monsters,
Unfortunately there will be a slight delay before the CDs can be posted out to you. Dec was expecting to receive the CDs today, and was hoping to post out all the pre-ordered ones. Unfortunately he has been let down by the CD manufacturers (boo, hiss) and so will not be getting them until Tuesday at the earliest. :( He's pretty cheesed off about this. :cry:
And I know he feels bad about letting people down.
we'll be happy when we get it!!
Quite right. I'll be happy to get it when I get it. :)
I'm sure most of us are of a very understanding sort. We know all dates are tentative until the merch person says they've shipped.
If you wanna get with Nellie and throw mine in with my TPE order, you could save on shipping to the U.S. :D
And it's effectively only the next working day. No great shakes really! ;)
Exciting times..........rehearsals! :D
I was privileged to be able to nip along to the zoo where the rehearsals were happening today, and to ply the inmates with cake. Lovely to see Dec and Tim (plus sparkly new drum kit) again, and great to meet Pelican Man and Flamadiddle.
It is all sounding completely AWESOME! Of course, I took my trusty camera down with me...
(//http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/technobotts/Dec%20and%20band%2030%20May/IMG_0956.jpg)
(this music is so intense, I shall poke my eye out with my drumstick)
(//http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/technobotts/Dec%20and%20band%2030%20May/IMG_0946.jpg)
Pelican Man
(//http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/technobotts/Dec%20and%20band%2030%20May/IMG_0953.jpg)
Flamadiddle and his *lovely* PRS...
(//http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/technobotts/Dec%20and%20band%2030%20May/IMG_0957.jpg)
and last but not least, TRD himself!
Nice one, Catherine! Thanks! :D
Like
Waaahhh! Monsters indeed!! :lol:
Thanks for the cake Catherine! :D
I see Flamadiddle brought a spare drum kit, too. Thoughtful fella.
Good news - Dec received the CDs yesterday and the posting is going ahead now. :D
Quote from: "catherine"Good news - Dec received the CDs yesterday and the posting is going ahead now. :D
Excellent news. It'll be on my Ipod in time for my hols :D
...and jolly good it is too. :)
we'll see how long it takes to get here! shall I start a little pool?
(run free and wild with that one, boys...)
8-)
Quote from: "rogerg"we'll see how long it takes to get here! shall I start a little pool?
(run free and wild with that one, boys...)
8-)
I think I'll resist the temptation.................. :roll:
Quote from: "catherine"Good news - Dec received the CDs yesterday and the posting is going ahead now. :D
Unfortunately, every 7th disc is sung in pig latin...
Yippeeee, Hooray and Woo Hoooooo
8-) :D :D :D 8-)
:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
(yes, my copy of DAM has arrived today!!!)
As did mine, listening now :D :D
It's even made it to deepest darkest Kent.
The M2 will get the full benefit from it tomorrow
Excellent, it was waiting for me when I got home :D
Not showed North of the border yet :(
It will, Ecosse, it will.
Can I still order this? Where from?
The title track is the early leader after one good listen on a decent system. It's a belter! :)
It's still available direct from the songsmith himself at http://decburke.com (http://decburke.com) Gareth. :D
Cheers! Ordered :)
Good man! ;)
So, just to clear things up, will I be able to order it from my local record shop at some point, or will I have to delve into the world of internet shopping? :?
Still not here :(
Quote from: "Ecosse"Still not here :(
aww.... it'll be worth the wait... hope it turns up tomorrow!
@gav - at present it's available from a few selected outlets - Dec himself, or progrock records, or progrock.co.uk. Once it cranks its way through the progrock distribution channels then it might even make it into shops.
The best deal for Dec is if you buy it directly from him, either online or else at a gig... there should be some more gigs announced soon (fingers crossed). And the live band is sounding REALLY good!
Destroy All Monsters made it "across the pond" to me yesterday. Had a quick listen to it on the way into work this morning. Nice job Sir Dec and the boys!
Quote from: "Dave R"Destroy All Monsters made it "across the pond" to me yesterday. Had a quick listen to it on the way into work this morning. Nice job Sir Dec and the boys!
ooh! maybe mine will be waiting for me!
In case anyone in the DAM camp is tracking such things, my copy arrived in sunny Florida today.
Oh we track these things constantly! And there's nothing Dam Camp about us either....... :lol:
Quote from: "PelicanMan"Oh we track these things constantly! And there's nothing Dam Camp about us either....... :lol:
I'm not so sure, PelicanMan... after all, I have video evidence... ;)
Uh-oh. Rumbled. NOT!!!!! :lol: :shock:
Resist. urge to. make out of character joke. about Dam Camp. :|
it's here! and I'm rocking out!! woohoo!
Just arrived here too, giving it it's first spin as I type!
Wow, I did not expect this in my mailbox today, that was bloody quick to get it to Australia! Thankyou Dec!
Listening now. :)
Hi Gareth - that's a pleasure mate, the post is a wierd thing some have had copies really quickly and others not, and yet they're posted out almost straight away. Anyway hope you enjoy it, let me know what you think.
Just getting ready for some acoustic mayhem for tomorrow at the Peel, first gig in nearly a year, and I'm doing it alone....so no pressure there then :shock:
The rehearsals with the band have been going really well too, so looking forward to getting out there and playing it now
Dec
xx
I just ordered the CD, so ill be treating it as a race between DAM and TPE. :mrgreen:
That's a lot of prog.... :D
It certainly is, I'll have to prepare myself mentally for if they arrive on the same day, otherwise I might start thinking in 7/8 or something... :shock:
Signs of Life is definately my fav. track on the album.
Promised is a close 2nd.
loving it, Dec!! grats and hugs!
Well as I live and breathe, it's here! Now THAT'S what I call speedy service. Removing the outer clingfilmy stuff now :)
Listened to this a few times now, what a cool album. My only complaint is that it's too short.
The synthesized drums sound really cool, never out of place, really suits the production. "Winter to Summer" is the highlight for me, the whole ending section is really beautiful.
"Sometimes" didn't click with me at first, but oddly it's the one that sticks in my head when the album is over.
Dec, any plans to get this on iTunes or anything? I want to show it to some friends.
After a few listens, DAM just 'clicked' for me today. For me that's the sign of a good album, definitely a grower! :)
Do I detect a hint of Queensryche in there? Among much else :)
Excellent stuff Mr Burke!
Still have to get this ordered - I am Sooooo behind! :oops:
Cor! There's a rather stunning review of this in CRPP. Jerry Ewing likes it - a lot! :D
Yes indeed, and rightly so.
Seems to think the publicity machine could do a bit more though...free adverts next time then? ;)
Quote from: "catherine"Cor! There's a rather stunning review of this in CRPP. Jerry Ewing likes it - a lot! :D
And he refers to Darwin Radio's drummer Mark Westworth - he really is a talented bloke isn't he!
Quote from: "L33VEY"Quote from: "catherine"Cor! There's a rather stunning review of this in CRPP. Jerry Ewing likes it - a lot! :D
And he refers to Darwin Radio's drummer Mark Westworth - he really is a talented bloke isn't he!
Indeed! I had no idea MW played drums in DR... you learn something new every day.
I received my copy of Destroy All Monsters about a week ago. YAY! I listened to the album a couple of times, and I'm enjoying it. And I get a feeling it'll grow on me, and I'll be enjoying it even more. However, may I dare, I have a complaint... :shock:
I admit I am very anal when it comes to sound quality. But is it me, or does the album sound like there's only high frequencies? The mid-range and bass levels seem way too low, for my taste anyway. I have to use the "bass boost" equalizer on my iPod to get a decent level of bass in there. Usually the bass-boost setting puts much too much bass for my taste...
But otherwise, I am happy with my purchase. Thanks Dec!
The production does feel a bit... late 80s? I've no idea if that is deliberate or not, though given quite a bit of the material reminds me of Queensryche about that time... the electronic drums may also contribute.
It's a very fine album all the same, but...
I think it's fair to say that as a first solo album it carries both the electrifying charge of the great songs (and thus potential for great things in the future) and the slight shadow of some production lessons being learned.
I found listening on headphones to be the best experience which I am guessing could reflect how it was mixed(?).
It's still a cracking album.
Dec & the lads were really rather good at the Cambridge Rock Festival yesterday - their debut gig as a band. Here's some video of Small Hours (//http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I7q-aqANiQ).
:D
Gotta love that sparkly backdrop! :D
Nicely played. Shame about the 'attentive' audience... :roll: I see you even managed to make a cameo appearance Catherine!
How were the keyboards done live? Sequencer / backing track / MIDI pedals? Couldn't see anyone playing them.
I've got a hunch that Pelican Man can play bass with one hand and keys with the other, but don't quote me on that... :?
[edit] Just ordered DAM throught local record shop :D [/edit]
It's all done with mirrors! :lol:
For the synth parts that Dec can't play with his hands 'cos he's playing guitar, (arpeggiated phrases & such) he triggers a sampler loaded with original parts from the album Protools session with midi pedals. I have a set of Roland PK-5 midi pedals controlling my synth which I tend to be busy on most of the time plus I play other keyboard parts such as synth bass with my hands along with other bits n pieces. We have no backing tracks and no sequenced parts, honest!! :) It's all played live.......
ROCK! m/ m/
I would have liked to be there but couldn't make it. Glad it went well and thanks to Catherine for the clip.
Not being funny, but the statement "it's all played live" makes me wonder at what point a triggered part from the album is considered not playing it live? A full backing track is really just a huge sample triggered before the song starts.
I don't suppose it really matters from an enjoyment point of view, Steve Thorne's sets with full backing track are triffic.
So, from the artists perspective where does professional pride set the limit on sample-length and/or quantity in a live set?
Ooh blimey, that's a right can of worms to be opening Pedro! ;)
I guess it's one of those subjective things that everyone has different opinions on?
m/ m/
I would think if the song doesn't work without it, then you trigger whatever is necessary.
It's ALL played live, that's why I have a second guitar player involved, so any time I'm playing keyboards Hywel covers guitar parts, any other keyboard melody lines Steve has it covered on bass pedals, and NONE of those are samples. The only thing that is on a sample is the intro to Signs of Life....hope that clears it up for everyone :D
well, there you go!! and well done, Dec!!
Oops. My question was aimed at live music in general but I withdraw it if anyone thinks I'm pointing it at DAM.
Hmm, interesting. I'd have thought that as long as the people on stage triggered the sound/effect themselves (via MIDI pedals or whatnot) then it's still live. At the end of the day, it's a button and a sound, which is a keyboard in its most simple form. I think as long as the musicians on stage manually trigger a sound with any appendage of their body, then it's live.
This is coming from someone who's never done a proper live gig in his life. ;)
See, worms everywhere! Never open the can of worms..... :lol:
At the end of the day we're doing no different in terms of achieving the complete live sound to the likes of Rush or Muse. And if they can do it........
ROCK!! m/ m/
They should put labels on the cans! ;)
@Dec: Thanks for clearing that up, sir. :D
Quote from: "PelicanMan"See, worms everywhere! Never open the can of worms..... :lol:
At the end of the day we're doing no different in terms of achieving the complete live sound to the likes of Rush or Muse. And if they can do it........
ROCK!! m/ m/
As far as I'm concerned as long as it's being done well I don't think it matters that some of it might be backing track/sample/whatever. Pedro mentioned Steve Thorne, would he be able to afford to play if he had to pay a full band? If it takes loads of people to re-create it becomes financially non-viable.
Neil Peart's a good example. The guy's amazing live and has more triggers than a Roy Rogers gift shop.
Got my copy of Destroy All Monsters via my local record shop a few days ago, and I haven't been able to stop listening since! :D
Well done Dec and gang, and thanks for the brilliant album!
@Pedro: Headphones are definitely the way to listen to this album... Or I could put it through a 600 watt, bass heavy PA!
Hmmm... that's a thought... 8-)
New message from Dec - sprinting ahead. Just in time for a spot at High Voltage?
http://www.decburke.com/ (http://www.decburke.com/)