I shall let the man speak for hisself:
The View from The Cube - Godfrey's Utility Bill (//http://jemgodfrey.blogspot.com/2011/04/godfreys-utility-bill.html)
Smiles all round! :D
Splendid to hear from him again!
I can't wait to hear what he has been writing.
I saw tweets from him today, and that just made me smile. He's back. :D
Obviously Frost* isnt, but hey.. Jem's writing again, and that's wonderful news. Even more exciting than Frost*, cause now we have no idea what it will become.
He lives!
Very interesting although the big question is... who's going to go for the franchise?! Actually, if it were to be a true franchise, there could be lots of Frost*s! ;)
Glad to hear he's doing better, good for you Jem :D
But I have a bit of a hard time wrapping my head around some of his reasons. I don't think you're a loonie(y?) ;) but still...
I'm sure Peter GAbriel felt that way and that's fine but he wasn't writing the songs alone, not by a longshot. It was my understanding that Jem could write whatever he wanted for Frost*, in fact that 's what he did by making EIMA so different from Milliontown no? The line-up changes means he could have worked with whoever he wanted, Maybe if JM wouldn't be involved we might have bitched a little but I don't think it would have been a problem for Jem to keep working with him.
So yeah, very happy he's pretty much back to his old self, but a future of Frost* without Jem doesn't really appeal to me. No offense to anyone who might be interested. I'm just one arsehole.
Great to hear he's back at it, whatever "it" is. His writing sensibility shines through regardless of genre, so I look forward to hearing whatever music he releases in future, even if it's just the occasional track on SoundCloud or what have you. I, too, had thought that he called the shots for Frost* and had hoped he could just scale it back to a comfortable level again, but if there truly is to be no more Frost* material, then so be it.
As for franchising, that may work with other bands (It Bites, anyone?), but Jem's writing and musicianship is what made Frost* Frost*. There's no Frost* without him. Anyone up for some chocolate cake with no chocolate?!
Until next time, peep balm and clarion.
(//http://ts2.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=545812520877&id=5a8169244a2d72dd07f51918e52af49a&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.shoppingblog.com%2fpics%2fpeeps_lip_balm.jpg)(//http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-IX136_horn_D_20100616102229.jpg)
Quote from: "gr8gonzo"Until next time, peep balm and clarion.
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This.
I have to admit I was rather concerned by the 2 statements that he'd had a vasectomy and lost half a stone. One wonders exactly how that was achieved... :shock:
Sounds promising for that electro album I was looking forward to so much, then!
Farewell Frost*, but welcome to whatever Jem does next.
Any man that can admit to losing weight,having a vasectomy,and having a chicken as a muse in the same conversation....needs to be writing music! ;) Delighted to see Mr.G back,and badly missed his quirky sense of humour!Expressing concern for D162/4,s wellbeing,now shes guided his Jemness through his fallow period,....casserole beckoning,or immortalised in song perhaps..:-)
Quote from: "fitzy"Expressing concern for D162/4,s wellbeing,now shes guided his Jemness through his fallow period,....casserole beckoning,or immortalised in song perhaps..:-)
Both probably, in a song celebrating great casserole.
Quote from: "Jem"All will be revealed on YouTube soon... :)
Ooooo. 8-)
Quote from: "gr8gonzo"Quote from: "Jem"All will be revealed on YouTube soon... :)
Ooooo. 8-)
My thoughts exactly :)
;) Something to look forward to then :P happy days!!
So, it's not Frost*. So, it's not even prog. It's Jem. And Jem is brill.
Quote from: "D S"He lives!
Very interesting although the big question is... who's going to go for the franchise?! Actually, if it were to be a true franchise, there could be lots of Frost*s! ;)
Well I've always wanted to be in a band LIKE Frost* but -
A - my keyboard skills are nowhere near good enough
and
B - Frost* is more than the music. The franchise would need a scriptwriter, comedian, P/R man, juggler, general 'good egg' and more other personnel than I could mention, things that previously Jem covered by himself.
In fact there would probably end up being more support staff than actual musicians ;)
QuoteB - Frost* is more than the music. The franchise would need a scriptwriter, comedian, P/R man, juggler, general 'good egg' and more other personnel than I could mention, things that previously Jem covered by himself.
That being a big part of the issue :(
I'd like to see a cover band called Fro* doing roller disco interpretations of Frost* songs. Strip away the widdly bits and get your groove on.
Perhaps, I should have coffee before posting such things.
And someone has to pay for the whole thing. Even without the frantic "buy keyboard - scrap keyboard routine", making music is far from free. This can't be done without excellent musicians, and they don't work for free.
IMO it will never be Frost* without Jem anyway. Covering the back catalog and writing new Frost*-inspired music simply won't do.
Quote from: "gr8gonzo"I'd like to see a cover band called Fro* doing roller disco interpretations of Frost* songs. Strip away the widdly bits and get your groove on.
StarFrost* Express?
I'd pay to see that... :D
Just a brief addendum to my post in the "It feels like it's all over ..." thread, posted here merely to cover both "End of Frost*" threads.
I was at the first night of the iO Pages festival at Zoetermeer on Friday, where Dilemma, Yogi Lang (from RPWL), and Pallas played. I was there for Pallas, who I have followed on and off ever since the early 80s, but haven't seen play live since about 1983-1984, but I have to say that Yogi Lang and his band blew my socks off: fantastic stuff.
The Pallas set mainly comprised of tracks from XXV which, despite my saying I have been following the band, I had only heard once before, when Wilf featured it on The European Perspective. Indeed, I appeared to have been in the minority, because when Graeme Murray asked the audience who had yet to buy the album, I was the only person who put his hand up (although in conversation after the show, another audience member told Graeme that he reckoned many others were too frightened to admit it 8-) ).
While I found XXV a bit heavy going (and too bloody loud, Mr Les Patterson :shock: ) in that almost-first-time-of-listening context, a number of older favourites (including Rat Racing, Midas Touch, and others) were played brilliantly, and I have to say that Paul Mackie was excellent. I had a nice chat about photography (!) with him after the gig, as well briefly with the estimable Mike Bentley, who was rather grumpy that everything had run so late ahead of Pallas getting their slot (the evening finished at just after 1am and my feet were screaming).
Anyway, what's this all got to do with Frost*? Well, I also had a good chat with the lady (Lizzie?, Les' partner) who was running the Pallas merchandising stall aided by a couple of local (I think) women. At one point, they all agreed that Frost* had the best merchandising around, because they weren't afraid to use colours other than black for shirts, and that the Frost*erisk logo made it easier to make things without having to explicitly say the band's name.
More surprisingly, however, one of the Dutch lasses took grave objection to my saying that, on top of being a great musical act, Frost* were also the funniest band around by far. She said "I don't want funny; I just want the music played!". She also objected to the fact that Frost* tend to muck around with their songs live, again not something she wanted. Strange: it takes all sorts to make the world go around, but I suspect many people here would side with me on this one: these are the things which are Frost*.
But, most poignantly, especially since I don't think either she or I had read Jem's recent blog post at that point, was her friend's annoyance at the fact that "Frost* split up too often!". Too true; if only they were to reform just as often ... 8-)
p.s. I saw a couple of Frost* shirts at the gig; anyone here?
Sounds like you met a real life female Prog dinosaur....that is one rare animal indeed. I don't mind 'recital' gigs every now and again but fun gigs win hands down for me.
Quote from: "Pedro"fun gigs win hands down for me.
yeah whats the point of a gig if its all the same as the album?
Prog nazis!
I remember the first SB tour without Neal, supporting "Feel Euphoria". Enchant and the California Guitar Trio were support acts. As much as I love SB (and believe me, I really, really - even being a mod on their forum), I thought they were too silly. Enchant really blew them away, I thought.
What I'm trying to say: TA's observations have a point. Only got the chance to witness Frost* live once (supporting Pallas), and fortunately, they were not too funny. But I can understand people who prefer it differently.
I've read all of the posts, can understand most people's disappointment that Frost* is no more and can echo the supportive comments for Jem and what he will do next.
I wasn't aware that InsideOut had the option. And that changes my initial reaction to Jem's decision on the ending Frost*
I was under the impression that Frost* was InsideOut free. Free to write TDL and other things ;) without the pressure of a record company and deadlines. I was confused about the "playing it safe" comments. To me Frost* were never safe. Sure, I didn't LOVE all of it. But then the whole was far better than not at all.
If Jem was under obligation to release Frost* under InsideOut, then IMO that would be a pressure he could do without. Just watch the Frost* Reports of the creation of EIMA and some of Jem's comments and reactions towards deadline date about how much pressure he was under to deliver. It certainly did not look a fun place to be. And I think EIMA is testament to that.
I loved Frost* live. I've spent way too much money, at difficult times and driven half way round the country to watch them. I've also met some great people and laughed more than I should at a prog gig.
At least I was at Derby. For me the band looked it's most comfortable on stage. No disrespect to previous members but it looked effortless. Jem has stated that on stage the sound was terrible and the f*** up of the recording is well documented. But from where I was it was spot on. Above all he looked to be having fun.
Sure I'm disappointed that there will be no more Frost*. But if the new project becomes as successful and demanding what then? The problem might be that there is a partial captive audience waiting here to lap up what's offered. It's not going to be the Milliontown scenario. It's not a fresh start.
But I have a wardrobe full of Frost* merch that I shall continue to wear and I shall continue to proclaim Jem's genius to anyone with ears.
Toodle Pip.
Quote from: "Pedro"Sounds like you met a real life female Prog dinosaur....that is one rare animal indeed. I don't mind 'recital' gigs every now and again but fun gigs win hands down for me.
I'm with you 100%, Pedro, but Frost* above all others proved that you can have huge fun at at a gig
and play an absolute musical blinder. Unlike young Ms Progosaurus Rex at De Boederij last week, I don't think this is an either or thing: with Frost*, you could definitely have your cake and eat it ...
(//http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/9/9/6/2/7/ar125316465572699.jpg)
There's having fun on stage and being able to deliver a blinding performance and then there's arsing around on stage, unable to concentrate or play properly. Whenever I saw Frost (3 times luckily) they were a blast to see .. both fun and entertaining AND brilliant musical performances.
Whats the point of going to watch some misserable feckers plod their way through a stale prog gig... dinosaurs died out because they couldnt adapt to their changing environment, traditional progsters are going the same way.
I'm glad Jem is back in action ... although because he's so bloody good at this musical larking about, I'm concerned he'll end up creating a rod for his own back again.
The pressure must have been considerable ... a new home (100's of miles from London), the demands of a successful day job, an expanding young family and a loss making, time robbing hobby called Frost* (for which he was never going to turn out a sub-standard album, as it had his name all over it). Add to that the pressures of learning songs for a few dates playing with one of the the worlds greatest guitarists and then the DVD cock up ... it must have been the straw that broke the camels back.
I can't wait to hear some more Jemtastic music, whatever genre it fits into.
Now ... hands up who wants to see the video of Jem doing donuts in his car on the lawn :D
QuoteBut I have a wardrobe full of Frost* merch that I shall continue to wear and I shall continue to proclaim Jem's genius to anyone with ears
The same applies here, me being the completist. Even bought a bloody lighter and i don't smoke!
Worse is the fact ive a bloody great Frosterisk tattoo on my arm (Godfrey you will pay for this! :lol: ) but i don't care and will wear it with pride. A bloody good band and jolly nice group of fans, band members, not forgetting Vit P and Nellie (And probably others i have forgotten)
As for a new Frost* franchise im in two minds. If Jem was involved in some way i think it could be good, even if he only contributed to studio tracks. It sure would not be the same without him.
There again would love to see Nathan, Blunders, Mitchell and A Another doing something new! :D
Long live the Frosterisk*
The monster is sleeping...........................................................................Hopefully only sleeping!
BLOG update alert :)
http://jemgodfrey.blogspot.com/ (http://jemgodfrey.blogspot.com/)
Like
Ok - so who's going to stoop so low as to make a gratuitous infantile comment about a shiny helmet?
.....oh, bugger........ :oops:
Lovely news though, Jem sounds much happier now! :D
;) Yay,looks like JG,s back in creation mode,...and ooh!lap steel,definitely full of surprises :D C,ant wait!!(r.e blog update!)
jem does Country and Western? :o
Thanks for pointing to this, RacingHippo - a great relief.
Al.
Quote from: "Fogeyspasm"jem does Country and Western? :o
We'll he's exlpored pedal steel territory before, sort of....
http://www.drarok.com/frost/files/Toys/ ... 20Cuba.mp3 (http://www.drarok.com/frost/files/Toys/05%20-%20What%20Little%20I%20Saw%20of%20Cuba.mp3)
Lap steel....perhaps after the vasectomy he figures he has nothing to lose... :)
...and again...
//http://jemgodfrey.blogspot.com/
Well I'm pretty sure steve howe played steel guitar many years ago for yes,on awaken and many other prog classics so why not
Quote from: "Pedro"...and again...
//http://jemgodfrey.blogspot.com/
Blimey; one too many espressos perhaps, Mr G? :D
I mean, not for choosing to use a steel guitar, because, after all, what self-respecting Yes fan doesn't hold these in high esteem, thanks to Steve Howe? Plus, having spent many, many months of my life in Hawai'i, the sound can be deeply evocative of that special part of the world too.
No, rather, three blog posts in a week? The internet down Somerset way, she's a steamin' ... 8-)
Quote from: "Pedro"Lap steel....perhaps after the vasectomy he figures he has nothing to lose... :)
Be a bugger going through airport security though!
Having seen Jem's guitar technique (in one of the Frost* reports, possibly a TDL one??) this choice doesn't surprise me ;)
Quote from: "Trapezium Artist"Three blog posts in a week? The internet down Somerset way, she's a steamin' ... 8-)
Someone is clearly extremely excited about their new project! As am I :D
Lapsteel is an interesting choice, very interesting - clearly not the new music is not going to be 100% electronic.
Quote from: "Al Fleeman"Thanks for pointing to this, RacingHippo - a great relief.
You're welcome :)
Hey everybody! It's Al Fleeman!
Go and have a listen to some of the samples of The Water Is Wide on his website, agree with me that it's really lovely and purchase the album forthwith!
Ooh, that's some beautiful evocative stuff there Mr. Fleeman.
(Thanks for the reminder RH, meant to follow the link but the usual "must remember when I get home tonight" syndrome flushed it from my ageing brain).
@Al: Where can a tech-obsessed hobbyist find out more about how you made that?
Thanks for the great comments RH and Pedro. Plenty of the website visits I've been getting are thanks to guys like you - please keep disseminating (...surely there's an ointment for that!). Spreading-the-word is the only thing that works for independent musicians like me.
Quote from: "Pedro"@Al: Where can a tech-obsessed hobbyist find out more about how you made that?
I hired a symphony orchestra and chorus... I wish! All on the pc via controller-keyboard. My DAW is 'Reaper' and then I have a few software instruments which represented the best balance between sound quality and expense (I work to a small budget!). The trumpet is also sampled - ironically, I do play trumpet, but I made recording quality a priority and I can't stretch to pro microphones or studio acoustics.
Not sure how much detail you're after, Pedro (and I don't want to bore people!) but if you want more info about the instruments let me know.
Really glad you like it!
Quote from: "turbo"Well I'm pretty sure steve howe played steel guitar many years ago for yes,on awaken and many other prog classics so why not
Probably most famous on "And You And I" & "Soon"
He's displaying more nice purchases in his latest blog - more traditionally Jem this time although somewhat retro (but in a good way) - a 1973 Fender Rhodes and a 1983 Roland Juno 60 - nice!
Oh and there is a photo of him aged 1! :D
Blogs Ahoy!
Talk of creative sound captures and hints of stealth solo spots
Mr. Softsynth is going all anologue! This doesn't bode well....It bode's EXTREMELY well. Can't wait to hear what he get's up to with a load of crackly unpredictable beauties!
New blog post - including an idea that will have our US-based chums on the edge of their seats :)
Reading Jem's blog, part of me can't help but being cynical thinking a year from now we may find ourselves reading a blog about how his little solo music venture spun out of control (somehow) and he has to stop. I guess that's not fair to him and I don't mean to offend but I can't help it, once bitten, twice shy and all that.
A fair point I think. I guess it's quite possible that it could happen. Less likely if the problems that Frost* presented were closely linked to it being a multi-person project with a third-party controlling interest but, of course, time will tell. The question is; is it necessarily a "bad thing"?
Personally, if I am happy to accept that this "cycle" might/can happen (which I now am, provided it doesn't include the health issues, of course) then I'd be happy for the cycle to repeat forever. Jem can bounce from project to project like a demented musical Tigger(!) as much as he likes. :)
Particularly if we get a whole bunch of blog/chat/vids/tasters using new toys/methods followed by maybe a stunning CD/download or two and perhaps some brilliant gigs followed by a breather....then rinse-and-repeat!
The problem, as ever, is managing expectations. We play a big part in that bit but, as always, the choice to follow or not rests with the mouse-wielder! :)
I'm a bit concerned that Jem is setting himself deadlines already, and going public with them, even if they are "unofficial". Maybe it's different for him, but I find that as soon as a deadline starts to loom, that's when a fun project turns into a chore :(
Pedro, I like your image of Jem as Tigger :lol:
Totally agree with you Pedro about the "cycle" thingy in fact thats something that Ive been thinking [hoping] for a while now, that is to say that when this solo thing is done jem might find a renewed interest in frost again and then maybe back and forth between the two add infinitum, well we can dream cant we. :D
p.s whatever he does I'm sure its going to be brill.
Very well said, Julie. I do hope he's doing it for the enjoyment of it and not repeating the pattern that ultimately made him miserable, otherwise there's no point. I have no expectations, but I'll gladly follow his adventures and hope to hear some new music along the way.
Quote from: "gr8gonzo"Very well said, Julie. I do hope he's doing it for the enjoyment of it and not repeating the pattern that ultimately made him miserable, otherwise there's no point. I have no expectations, but I'll gladly follow his adventures and hope to hear some new music along the way.
Spot on, my feelings exactly. Jem must do this for himself and no one else, deadlines are all well and good and can focus a project to completion, they can also be a millstone around ones neck if you allow other peoples expectation of your deadline to pressure you too much. My idea of the perfect deadline is "I'll have it done by Thursday...........don't know which Thursday though :)"
His blog often looks like he's just thinking out loud.. there have been plenty "announcements" that never turned into anything, so I wouldn't take the deadlines too seriously. It's probably just to get things moving. This time, there's no label expecting the finished album in time.
Quote from: "johninblack"Quote from: "gr8gonzo"Very well said, Julie. I do hope he's doing it for the enjoyment of it and not repeating the pattern that ultimately made him miserable, otherwise there's no point. I have no expectations, but I'll gladly follow his adventures and hope to hear some new music along the way.
Spot on, my feelings exactly. Jem must do this for himself and no one else, deadlines are all well and good and can focus a project to completion, they can also be a millstone around ones neck if you allow other peoples expectation of your deadline to pressure you too much. My idea of the perfect deadline is "I'll have it done by Thursday...........don't know which Thursday though :)"
I think that Jem embracing the Twitterverse, and other methods of delivering news such as online footage, website etc is all well and good for us, the slavering hordes who eagerly and happily await each new episode of the unfolding story, but maybe it's not so good for Jems' new work ethos. It's one thing to mull ideas and decisions over in one's head and switch priorities, direction and deadlines - but when it's sort of 'streamed' into cyberspace, it's there for ever (or until someone deletes the blog account or - god forbid - the forum).
It may not be what Jem indends with his blog output but I think rightly or wrongly there is a tendency for us to see an announcement by Jem as something carved in stone, and pre-order the next project before a note has been recorded. Anyone remember the Accidental?
No matter how much we fans love the blogs, i just wonder if Jems return to publicity is a good thing whilst things are still so fluid? It seems in this day and age of 'want-it-now-can't-wait-ism, everytime you stick your head above the parapet there'll always be some idiot waiting to take a pot shot.
Or to put it another way: whilst I was overjoyed to read the initial blog entry indicating that Jem was well and happy, with new enthusiasm for his music, I would have been more than happy leaving at that until there was something concrete to report. But fanboy that I am, the lure of the blog keeps me going back for more! :D
Fair point. I'm grateful that Jem chooses to share his plans, but I won't be whinging if they don't pan out. Despite his intentions, we all know that things change.
New blog //http://jemgodfrey.blogspot.com/
I feel a sort of disconnect in Jem's recent Blogs, as in he's not really talking to us anymore. Perhaps it might be a good thing to move this forum to a new Jem godfrey centric website? Maybe we'd feel more included in whatever process he's embarquing on.
I think he's trying to disconnect and start anew. The first post or two were kind of talking to the people who previously followed him (us) but that last post seems to be almost like we're an ex-wife he's glad to be rid off. :?
Quote from: "Gman"I think he's trying to disconnect and start anew. The first post or two were kind of talking to the people who previously followed him (us) but that last post seems to be almost like we're an ex-wife he's glad to be rid off. :?
I agree with your first point but not your last comment. I'm sure he'd be more than happy if his 'Frost fans' continues to follow (and buy from) him. My take, for what it's worth, is that Frost* is the ex-wife, not the fans. By the way, his 10-point advice about making your way through the music biz (latest blog entry) is really sound.
Quote from: "Gman"I think he's trying to disconnect and start anew. The first post or two were kind of talking to the people who previously followed him (us) but that last post seems to be almost like we're an ex-wife he's glad to be rid off. :?
I'm glad someone else felt that way when they read the latest blog. :|
I know this is often the way people deal with things - in order to move on, they have to completely dissociate with their past. For example, Robert Plant refused to play any Zep material for years until he felt comfortable to revisit and re-evaluate that point in his past.
We just have to hope that this will happen here - Jem's material with Frost* is too good to be simply disregarded.
Hmmm. In principle, there are too many truly important things to worry about in life that I shouldn't get wound up by this latest blog. It's just sodding music, after all. Plink clank clonk.
And yet, I'm afraid, I'm in the "have I just been sent to Coventry for, errr, liking Frost* too much?" camp as well.
I don't particularly understand this "proper prog fans didn't like me, so I'm off" thing. Am I somehow not a proper prog fan because I like Frost*? Or does it matter one jot whether I'm a prog fan or not, proper or otherwise? Can't I just like the music regardless of the labels?
And equally, with all that thick skin development going on, does it matter a jot if some people don't like your music, when some others are hugely passionate about it? What is this; some kind of schoolyard popularity contest?
Chances are I'll continue to follow Mr G's music because he's a talented bugger. And if he wants to change direction, who am I to say otherwise? But I just don't get the point of dumping on something that was bloody good regardless of any labels.
Tough day, not made any better by this :?
Reading it I don't think he's trying to disconnect from us per se. He makes the distinction between the grassroots prog scene and the "fanbase" (us I presume). Frost to many people means one thing and one thing only, and that's largely Milliontown. For the rest of us, Frost means Jem, and we'll listen with glee to anything he produces, whether it's a 20 minute prog epic or sneezing into a mic. It's all good, and I'm sure this next batch of musical somethings will be just as delightful.
But I'd guess that "we've" become a bit of a burden to Jem, and I don't mean that in a terrible way, just that he thinks of us as his adoring fans and perhaps there's some pressure to him to conform to our expectations. Hence his absence from the forum lately, perhaps indefinitely. I don't think we've ever really been his targeted audience for the blogs or the frost reports (usually referring to us as the dear frosties, people on the forum etc. rather than "you lot"). I don't actually know who his targeted audience is, perhaps his music/producer mates, but it never seems to be just the Frosties. I've never had a problem with that before, or now really.
But we should be grateful that for such a long time we've had what felt like a personal, conversational connection with Jem. He's been a regular visitor to the forums ("fora"? always bugged me that one has) answering questions and requests like an old chum we've known for years. We've been privileged in a way, and now he's gone we're all a bit upset. I don't know if he'll start a new forum when his new stuff is out, but if he does I'll be there, along with a ton of the rest of us. I don't think he's "ditched" us. After all he's gonna need someone to buy his stuff, and who better to come to than us lot?
Incidentaly, has Jem had a falling out with any of the band members? I thought I saw something earlier on in the thread, but I've missed keeping up to date with the forum lately, and haven't had time to read through this thread. Perhaps I'll sit down with a glass of brandy and a King Edward (the cigar, not the potato) and catch up one day soon.
Quote from: "boswell"Incidentaly, has Jem had a falling out with any of the band members?
Jem, Johnny Mitchell and Blunders are often having a laugh on Twitter and talking about meeting up so as far as I know everyone is still getting on great.
I wouldn't read too much into it. If he wanted to be rid of us, he wouldn't be accepting friend requests on Facebook. The burden was prog and the growing level of commitment coming from all sides. A number of people seem to be taking it personally. That's wasted energy, in my opinion.
It's not that I'm taking it personally. It just seems to be adding to the sadness that he seems to be distancing himself from the Frost world rather than taking us with him, if that makes sense. It's probably not intentional, but that's the vibe it's giving off (to some anyway).
Quote from: "Gman"It's not that I'm taking it personally. It just seems to be adding to the sadness that he seems to be distancing himself from the Frost world rather than taking us with him, if that makes sense. It's probably not intentional, but that's the vibe it's giving off (to some anyway).
makes sense to me anyway, that's what I was trying to say.
But I suppose the answer the that would be that it's only up to us if we follow him or not. But ragging on Frost*, wich we all loved dearly, isn't making it easy, at least to me.
Quote from: "gr8gonzo"I wouldn't read too much into it. If he wanted to be rid of us, he wouldn't be accepting friend requests on Facebook. The burden was prog and the growing level of commitment coming from all sides. A number of people seem to be taking it personally. That's wasted energy, in my opinion.
You could be right; I'm taking it a bit more personally this time than on previous occasions, although admittedly partly due to a shitty day.
But I do worry that Jem's conflating the negativity and/or pressure he's been feeling from some quarters in the prog world (perhaps even us, inasmuch as we always wanted more) with his contributions in that genre somehow being negligible or to be removed from sight.
That's where I have a problem: Milliontown, EIMA, TDL, and the rest will continue to shine, regardless, and they're absolutely nothing to be ashamed of (understatement of the millennium).
Anyway, enough said on this topic for tonight: approaching 1am here and I have to be back at work in eight hours to give a one-hour lecture which I've cobbled together this evening. Great ... :(
I would venture to guess that he's quite proud of Frost*'s output and all the band accomplished during its time, his heart's just not in it anymore. I would hope it's not a sore subject for him, so long as the conversation doesn't involve annoying him to return to it. It's over and we're all disappointed, but at the end of the day, I'm a Jem fan. The man's a brilliant writer and musician. We were all spoiled rotten and generously rewarded for following his expoits before. I'll happily continue to follow his career wherever it leads. Unless he does a country rap album. Then all bets are off.
Quote from: "gr8gonzo"I'll happily continue to follow his career wherever it leads. Unless he does a country rap album. Then all bets are off.
Now THAT'S what I call genre bending, Gonz.... ;)
(//http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/sawtooth_photo/JemRap.jpg)
Bwaahahahahahahahaa!
Brilliant, Sawtooth!
Quote from: "RacingHippo"Bwaahahahahahahahaa!
Brilliant, Sawtooth!
+1
You should post it on his blog!
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I have tears in my eyes. Hilarious.
Haha, that's excellent!
Even Jem can't keep me as a fan if he goes that way. :lol:
HEH
I think the thing is, if Jem did go down that route, he'd do it bloody well :D
For what it's worth, I think the latest blog entry is what Pedders has called in the past 'managing expectation'. Sure, we all love Frost* to bits and would dearly wish it could have continued, but it's obviously not, and Jem is clearly drawing not just a line in the sand, but more erecting a glass screen. Frost* is behind it, so that he can see it, be proud of it, but not touch it, as it is past tense. Thankfully he's left a door, so that any fans of his work can nip out and see what he's up to, but still have access to their luvverly fix of Frostieness should they so desire.
I don't think he's trying to alienate anyone, and he's certainly not saying he doesn't want fans of his Frost* work as his new audience. He's just being brutally honest with us (which is how I think he has to be if Frost* is fully, finally no more) and coming straight out with the fact that some of us may not like his new output.
I for one think he's got a very healthy outlook now, on life and happiness. Is that so bad?
Quote from: "RacingHippo"Bwaahahahahahahahaa!
Brilliant, Sawtooth!
That's a cracker :)
Another thing to cheer you up; No matter what, he will still sound like Jem. It's that musical signature that you simply can't remove, no matter what genre or style it is. And that way, the new stuff will sound a tiiiiny bit like Frost*.
Maybe... :?
Very well said Sawtooth.
And E.S. you're spot on with that. There's definitely a certain something about every track he does which acts as his signature. Can't put my finger on it yet (I thought it might have been that strange vocal *sigh*/squelch thing you can hear most in Wedding Day (but Milliontown and a ton of other tracks too) but I'm not sure. Anyway it's pointless pinning it down to one thing, it's a multitude, and that will mark anything he ever does I reckon. It's like when they slip crack cocaine into Pringles to make them addictive (allegedly). Jem has the auditory equivalent of a sprinkling of narcotics to make his tracks addictive.
Good points all,
But I just can't help but feel a little odd to be still discussing what Jem's up to here, on the Frost* forum, when he's clearly moved on.
I guess the alternative is to move this to the Other Bands section. ;)
It has kind of deflated my bouncy castle of optimism a little but I'm still keen to keep up with what he's doing and, until a new place gets set-up (if it will, who knows?), this is as good a place as any.
I've been struggling a bit with my take on the whole Jem finishing with Frost* business. My main feeling is disappointment that the band seem to be no more, I've loved both albums and when Milliontown came out it got excited about music in way I hadn't been for years. After going to both the Derby and Bilston shows at Christmas I had a real feeling that the four piece version of the band had really gelled and promised much for the future. Jems blogs have also been a real source of enjoyment and the communication he had with the Frost* fans was a real joy. I completely understand though how tiring all this was for him and its no surprise that he needed a break. It just seems a bit sad that he seems to have fallen out of love with Frost*. Saying this I'm still intrigued to hear what his new direction will sound like as I'm sure he will continue to write great music.
Quote from: "grif"I've been struggling a bit with my take on the whole Jem finishing with Frost* business. My main feeling is disappointment that the band seem to be no more, I've loved both albums and when Milliontown came out it got excited about music in way I hadn't been for years. After going to both the Derby and Bilston shows at Christmas I had a real feeling that the four piece version of the band had really gelled and promised much for the future. Jems blogs have also been a real source of enjoyment and the communication he had with the Frost* fans was a real joy. I completely understand though how tiring all this was for him and its no surprise that he needed a break. It just seems a bit sad that he seems to have fallen out of love with Frost*. Saying this I'm still intrigued to hear what his new direction will sound like as I'm sure he will continue to write great music.
Nicely put, Grif. That pretty much summarises my views too. I saw It Bites in Glasgow last night and they played a blinder. However, seeing JM and Nathan playing so well together again for the first time since Derby, it was difficult not to feel a sense of lost potential there. I spoke to Russell Cherrington (DVD director for both IB and Frost*) and it was interesting to get his rather different take on the abortive Derby DVD. He did hint that all was not lost and instrumental tracks like Hyperventilate may yet appear on YouTube subject to Jem's agreement.
(//http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn344/dsuttie/01-2.jpg)
(//http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn344/dsuttie/02-2.jpg)
(//http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn344/dsuttie/03-1.jpg)
Not really a different take, as such, Jem did indicate that just HyperV and the closing section of Milliontown *might* be salvageable...but it would take time if it were going to be done properly. Bunging it out on YouTube (with its "forgiving audio" would probably be easiest.
BTW I seriously hope that no-one is trying to assert that the Derby DVD debacle was not "that bad". If Jem says the recording was too bad to use on a DVD, that's good enough for me.
Quote from: "grif"It just seems a bit sad that he seems to have fallen out of love with Frost*
If you really like/love something I think there is a tendency to go "too far" before you realise you need a break from it. I've done it in the past with bands and things; rather than leaving or taking a break just before the enthusiasm wanes I get myself into a position where I can't go on any longer and have completely stop. I get the impression this is what has happened with Frost*, the sense of a weight lifting is very familiar.
Think of that song you loved until you played it to death and then started to hate it. And remember how you discovered it again a few years later and loved it all over again.
I still wouldn't call this the definite end yet. There are years of future ahead of us and anything could happen. Allow me to quote from Jem's facebook page.
Quote from: "Cameron Skittless Conner"Jem... Will we every hear 1976?
Quote from: "Jem"Probably. One day...
But still I think its best left that way for now. I'm trying to think about the future of Jem's music as the next chapter so to speak - despite it not being prog - and that will do me just fine, I wouldn't say I was a *massive* prog fan anyway.
Quote from: "JakeWorrell"Quote from: "boswell"Incidentaly, has Jem had a falling out with any of the band members?
Jem, Johnny Mitchell and Blunders are often having a laugh on Twitter and talking about meeting up so as far as I know everyone is still getting on great.
My thought on the pressure that Jem felt was maybe trying to accommodate the hardest working man in prog.
We have It Bites and Arena this year plus talk of another Kino album.
Then you have to work around Blunders & Nathan, maybe the windows were a bit small and out of alignment.
As I say, just a thought
Quote from: "Mikey"talk of another Kino album.
JM tweeted (in response to a tweet from me) that they're currently on the shelf. :(
QuoteMikey wrote:
talk of another Kino album.
JM tweeted (in response to a tweet from me) that they're currently on the shelf.
Sniff sniff :cry:
I'm puzzled by people slagging off something that they haven't heard yet, just because it hasn't got the Frost* moniker.
Another aspect of the pressure on Jem that we inadvertantly put on him.
Well said, that Mikey!
Sorry, who is slagging off the new stuff? :?
Sorry Mikey but I was a bit puzzled by that too! ;) Looking back over the last few pages, i can only see people saying things like "I'm still intrigued to hear what his new direction will sound like as I'm sure he will continue to write great music."
I think the vast of those who still hang around here a) remain bit sad to see the demise of Frost* but have kind of got over it now! and b) are really interested to hear whatever Jem comes up with next. Sure, it won't be Frost* but the man is undeniably hugely talented and I'm sure it will be more than worth a listen whenever it comes out.*
*Unless it's country rap or hardcore polka! :mrgreen:
Quote from: "Pedro"Sorry, who is slagging off the new stuff? :?
I may have exagerrated a bit but there have been some end of the world is nigh comments with the demise of Frost*
It's true that some people have taken the news of Frost*'s retirement pretty badly, but only because they don't want it to stop. I'm hoping that no-one would channel this energy to predict that the new stuff will be bad, only to say that they're sad it won't be "Frost*".
I hope everyone will give Jem 3.0 a fair hearing before commenting.
Really been getting into Richard Barbieri's solo work, if Jem's is in the same format but different I'll be well chuffed.
If you don't know, check out "Cave" or "Light on Glass"
I could really get into this electro stuff :D
//http://jemgodfrey.blogspot.com/
QuoteTime being what it is i.e. not like a jaffa cake that you can blat into a bigger surface area with a rolling pin, I'm temporarily suspending my own music so that I can focus on doing my bit for the fabulous new Losers' album. There isn't enough time, according to the Gregorian calendar and the Earth's orbit, to do three full time music jobs each day sadly.
This isn't such a bad thing actually as I can spend a bit more time finding my new "voice". I'm aware that it's not quite right yet and there's no point in hurrying something out that's not really what I want to sound like. Besides, what Tom and Eddy have come up with is so bloody good, I'm having a great time anyway.
What the chuff, let's enjoy the moment!
Well that came faster than I expected... :shock:
:D :D :D
It won't last... ;)
This only having one pair of hands thing really does cramp one's style doesn't it? :)
Quote from: "Pedro"I hope everyone will give Jem 3.0 a fair hearing before commenting.
Wordamundo
Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland is a classical piece of music.
If, Jem in his pop/Frost*/electronic guise decided to cover it, would it still be classical music even with a pop/Frost*/electro bent?
So can't electro be progressive?
It can be boring, (see comments about Tangerine Dream being the most boring live act ever), but I can't see that with Jem
You think he would cover it again? :?
Quote from: "Pedro"You think he would cover it again? :?
Couldn't possibly comment on something that doesn't exist :D
:)
One could argue that something that does not exist may already be categorized as electronica in a purely pseudo-allegedly kind of way.
Bah! You guys and your secret special track downloaded from your secret special place.
I'm not jealous at all....
not at all I tell you...
NOT ONE BIT!
:evil:
stalks off in a huff
Knock and the door will be opened. PM and thou shalt recieve ;)
Quote from: "boswell"Knock and the door will be opened. PM and thou shalt recieve ;)
We're a helpful bunch.
When you don't listen to nothing you won't be unimpressed. I hope that's the right amount of double negative's
My kids call it the pink panther :D
New Blog entry: Losers album mixing going well, family life really knackering, tons of music ideas building up... :)
...and some really interesting sounding dreams. :)
New bloggage alert! Sounding trés positive :D
Hey folks,
It's been a long time since I last visited this forum but and in actual fact I had trouble finding this new forum address as I tried at first to look under the old www.frostmusic.net/frosties (http://www.frostmusic.net/frosties) address but wasn't in existence any more.
I just tried then to look for Frostmusic which took me to a new homepage and now I find the forum here.
I'm friends with Jem on Twitter and messaged him just after Christmas to find out how things were (completely unaware that he had been working very hard with The Losers album AND Frost* 3) and was very happy to get a reply from him about the good news.
I've now read all the blogs from "A View From The Cube" and glad to see that Frost*3 is starting to take shape even though the finished article may be a year or so away. I'm just happy to hear that the Frost* Machine has been switched on again and working away.
Quote from: "H3WMW"Hey folks,
welcome back, get the biscuits in.
Peter Frampton's favouite is a bourbon
I just bought a pack of Oreos and Penguins today.
Fancy one? ;)
Quote from: "H3WMW"I just bought a pack of Oreos and Penguins today.
Fancy one? ;)
Yessum, get them on the table
Quote from: "H3WMW"I just bought a pack of Oreos and Penguins today.
Fancy one? ;)
One pack? Very generous.... :)