« KEEPING BUSY | Main | LOSING CONCENTRATION »
May 27, 2005
PADDY OR PADI?
So as I have already told you guys here, I am finally going on holiday in a week or so. I'm really excited to get away and go diving. Someone asked if I am certified, and the answer is no - not yet. BUT - Jen and I are doing our PADI course in LA before we go, so that we will both be certified when we get there. I have done a number of dives already, but only in places like the Caribbean, Thailand and Mexico, where there is always a dodgy looking guy on the jetty willing to take you out and dive with no qualification whatsoever!! NOT the most sensible of ideas, but thats what I used to do. So I have been diving for a while and I love it. But now I am going to do it properly. And by the way ..... its ALL about the wetsuit. And my guys at O'Neill have come through in a big way!! My suit looks like something out of a James Bond scene, all black and grey and slimline!! And Jen just looks like she's about to film an underwater scene in the next Tombraider. I love these things - they hold all the flabby bits in and just make you look sleek and skinny. Maybe I should start wearing them onstage!!
I also thought this pic was quite funny - I just dont know how it happens. One minute, I'm chilling out early in the morning on the sofa, with a cup of coffee and a cigarette, just kinda shooting the shit with my wife. We happen to start talking about this one piece of furniture we need for the kitchen - doesn't need to be expensive or flash, just a functional storage unit to hold all the junk we have lying around. Now how does it go from that, to being in the car for three hours, driving to an Ikea in Costa Mesa??!! I have no idea - but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Building that stuff is not as easy as they tell you, either! There must be a place that can build it for you, and just save you the time and the energy. If there's not, there should be!! I am not sure why I find a picture of me outside Ikea even remotely amusing, but I do ...... in fact, I am not even sure why Jen had a camera in the car!!
We have a couple of new songs floating about with Doheny. One was written in a rehearsal room, with all the band contributing - its going by the temporary title of 'Guilty'. And the other is a re-working of our old song, Five Miles High, and we have started work with Jed Leiber again (he of the Evergreen sessions!!) on that one. He is taking it in a different direction and I cant wait to see where it ends up.
Its also another fun-filled, too good to be true episode of CFR tomorrow! I LOVE doing that with Dave and I know he loves it too. Gonna dig out some nice tunes for tomorrow. And we have also been talking about the Freddy record this week - seems we are moving into another period of work with that ....scheduling more guests and talking about getting a couple of tracks mixed. No doubt when those are done, Indie 103.1 will get an exclusive on them. So work is ticking along nicely right now.
So the blog seems to have gone crazy - I LOVE it!! And you lot are hilarious with your captions ...... my favourite was the Free Beef, Slash!! It has to be a tee shirt!! Now - Let me see if I can answer most of the questions.
Jay - Duffy and I just hung out, swapped a few guitar riffs, and put it together into a song. Its a no stress, hang out with your mate and make music kind of situation. Sometimes it just fun to do that, and I love it, cos I get to be a better guitarist, songwriter and producer through constantly working with other people. No one floats my boat like Clayden, though!!
Bobbi-O - Great question. There is intelligent use of both the electronica and the guitar - namely NIN, Prodigy and Primal Scream. I have had my periods of dance and electronica, as well as Hip Hop .... but I always come back to a great sounding guitar!! But I maintain that as a writer, I should continue to listen to all kinds of music, and when the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, then I KNOW its right!!
Leon - It really depends on who I am writing with, and what the track is for. Jon and I have had great results working both ways. Most of the time, its some music that I have done that sparks him off. But having said that, we have a verse lyric from Jon that is inspiring us to write around it. Either way works.
Theresa - I am from South East London ..... born in the Bromley area and lived in Brixton for many years.
Cori - great question. I have never come up against that situation. But what usually happens is that one or other of the writers will get around to wanting to use it on a record before the other writer does, and then its a simple phone call. "Dude - I wanna put that song on my record."....."Sweet!!" It doesnt matter about performing it live - both writers can perform it if they want.
Ylais - I believe I have already answered the scuba question!! And I will talk to the boys at rehearsal next week about doing another chat. New music?.....The Glitteratti rock my world, and the new NIN album is a must for all bedroom occasions!! Really sets the right mood, that record. But lets discuss what the HELL my hair is doing in this pic? I seem really angry, screaming at everyone, but my hair looks like 1980's bad metal band!! Anyone seen Vidal lately?.....
Willd - My choices change periodically, but right now ....Favourite tee shirts - Chrome Hearts. Favourite Jeans - Rock N Republic. Belt is a one off, custom made Camp Freddy belt (although the new Ed Hardy green one is also a winner) and Hats - only Versace, Burberry and Ed Hardy.
Wow - Lots of posts. Keep checking in. I'm not on holiday for another week. But I can tell you that I will NOT be posting during the vacation!! I know - I'll do a full weeks diary when I get back and see if I have a few suitable pics to post as well. Gotta go study the Divers Manual - I have a test on it all tomorrow......HOLD ON, didnt I leave school at 15 to avoid ever having to study again?!! Somethings wrong!! I am outta here. Much love and respect to you all.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at May 27, 2005 09:10 PM
Comments
alright Billy....
A) That Ikea is about 10 minutes from my home....next time let me know so I can go hide in the bushes and be a proper stalker ;) (....though I don't have any bunny slippers.....)
B)I'm really good at building Ikea stuff....so ya know...if you ever need a hand!! hahaha
Anyway, I don't doubt that you will have plenty of gorgeous pictures from your vacation.
Posted by: Abby at May 27, 2005 10:48 PM
Ikea entertainment unit + spouse with tool kit = road to divorce. Don't go there!
(subliminal message....make the free beef t-shirt....)
:-P
Posted by: flamingheart at May 27, 2005 11:29 PM
I know why its so funny, for two reasons.
1. The weather is so fantastic, its sunny and IKEA looks so shiny and bright compares with the dull grey it would be in the UK and Sweden.
2. There's no one else there. Any self respecting IKEA is jam packed outside and in every Sunday [when most people go] so to see it empty is insane.
I always felt IKEA was like an airport, very like Salzburg airport as a matter of act, just blue and yellow. My tip to IKEA visitors, do not go to display section first, do the warehouse and have a list of what you want. You get round double quick. Then do the displays and note down what you want for next time! Oh and make sure you get there as it opens.
Billy do celebs just come up to you and ask to do a Camp Freddy? For instance say Keanu Reeves, or Bruce Willis wanted to come and do a song [having a musical history] would they just get on a bill with you all?
Have a great swim. Incidentally my son has just learnt to pee standing up, I thought you'd all like to share in this momentous news.
Stay frosty.
Posted by: d_Wez in da Haus at May 28, 2005 01:07 AM
Billy, I loved reading your post today. Made me giggle. I dunno why?! I guess it's like why is that Ikea pic so funny?!! It just is. You're looking fine. It's the Ikea as the backdrop. It's like a holiday photo. Ikea ~ book your vacation now!
The scuba suits are supercool. That pic of them is surreal though. They're floating in the air, instead of swimming in the sea.
Jen is super brave doing the course, and diving too! Good for her.
(I'm lost now..there's so much on here past couple of days..which is great! Hi everyone!!)
Thank you for answering our questions Billy.
Hugs
Lisa
xxxx
Posted by: ylais at May 28, 2005 03:09 AM
Yeah, cos I dunno if I'd manage doing that much diving myself..that's what I'm saying!
Right on Jen!!! (and Billy :D )
Posted by: ylais at May 28, 2005 03:11 AM
Billy ~ I challenge you to get Slash to wear a "Free Beef" t-shirt.
Is Slash reading all this on here?!! (looking around) My horror scope said I was going to be exceedingly chatty today, sorry everyone, it's in the stars. :D
Posted by: ylais at May 28, 2005 03:24 AM
Hey, look....in front of IKEA
Is it a shopper?
Is it a statue?
NO!
It's....
IKEAMAN!
da da da da da da daaaaaa!
You need a cape & an Allen key in that pic Billy!
@Abby - it's about the same distance from my house!
We now have a DohenyOC Fan Club...woohoo!
Posted by: laurie tuttle at May 28, 2005 10:04 AM
That pic gave me the same giggles I get when my long-haired-tattoo artist-musician-hubby gets out to work in the garden or plant flowers. I look around at the other "gentlemen" in the neighborhood and they are all 60+, plaid shorts w/crew socks, sun hats, etc. And there he is in his black "motorhead" t-shirt...just one of the boys. It's just a mold I never thought I'd see him fit into. "The Handyman"...it's quite sexy, really. Do you ever watch any of those home improvement-type shows, like on HGTV? I've found that we actually enjoy watching them together. Gives us great ideas.
Posted by: Bonita at May 28, 2005 12:42 PM
Wow i didnt think you had IKEA over there
as for your cothes choice... well its impossibly to get Chrome Hearts here in london! But i agree with the Ed Hardy and Rock & Republic ... im kinda likin Abercrombie jeans at the mo, theyre a lil easier to get hold of this side of the pond
haha ask Dave to bring his LE CD with him to CFR tonite.. ya know ya want to play another track :P
Will
Posted by: willd at May 28, 2005 02:35 PM
Ever done any White Water Rafting Billy? If not, hang on to those wet suits and give it a go...it's a rush for sure!
Posted by: Cori at May 28, 2005 03:30 PM
Hiya Billy, Are you taking CFR requests? If I'm posting in time to make one, could you play "Teenage Kicks" by The Undertones.
Supposedly it was John Peel's fave ever single.
Cheers Billy.
Lisa
xxxx
Posted by: ylais at May 28, 2005 04:09 PM
hey billy, did you know you're for sale (kinda of) on ebay: lol
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14890&item=6170647951&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V
Posted by: tina at May 28, 2005 06:03 PM
not just hot.. but apparently sexy as well..
oh man..lol
if they had added juicy I would have slid right down to the floor..;)
Posted by: electric mayhem at May 28, 2005 08:06 PM
IKEA..there used to be one in Fontana, when my mum was alive, I would take her there for Sunday brunch, she of the Norweigan blood loved the herring and lindonberries..ewww!
Me, I loved the free day care!!!
Wet suits hold in flabby bits? I'm rethinking my shapewear choices!!
ok, so Billy, do you and Jen own underwater cameras? Please say yes!! I can't wait to see the pics, however, be warned, you will have scuba hair!
love to you and yours!
jezzi(Hi Lisa, thanks for the support!)
Posted by: jezebel at May 29, 2005 04:38 AM
I love the Ikea photo - priceless! I also love the fact that you ashed in Dave's coffee by accident. I've done it to myself! Thankfully I realize before I take a sip.
James Bond wetsuit, eh? Niiiice.
Thank you so much for the Camp Freddy t-shirt! Hopefully TK got my info right - my last name frustrated him so he said the initial would do.
Posted by: Theresa at May 29, 2005 09:33 AM
Thanx for responding again Billy. I guess I'll just wait around for one of these Billy singings, but on that note I do have a question: When will there be another Camp Freddy show open to the public? Preferably, in Southern California, and not at a 21+ only venue.
Danielle.
Posted by: Danielle at May 29, 2005 10:15 AM
Oh yeah, and the pic in front of the Ikea... very manly and rock starish.
Posted by: Danielle at May 29, 2005 10:20 AM
Billy,
Finally caught you on the Discovery Channel Star Wars gig, very cool.
Had a question about it, what were you playing the digital Les Paul through?
Looked as though you were working some pedals as well, any insight?
Thanks,
Jay
Posted by: Jay at May 30, 2005 12:30 AM
I live in France and it's funny how Ikeas look the same everywhere. I swear that at my nearest Ikea here in the suburbs or Paris looks excatly the same.
Anyway Billy hope you didn't have to many problems putting together whatever you bought.
We bought tons of stuff there over the years and now have a great selection of those little L-shaped keys that you get to screw all the bits together, but usually we still manage to get things wrong !
As someelse said very "Rock Star"ish the photo outside Ikea next it will be a photo of you doing the dishes.
Posted by: Pauline at May 30, 2005 05:40 AM
Billy
hope you both have a really good week off together...lots of diving....romance...and chillin.
I like Pauline's idea....
think we could we see a photo of you doing the dishes? - the domestic rock star - ;p
Posted by: skot at May 30, 2005 09:32 AM
What about vacuming?
You could do a whole series...
;)
Posted by: Danielle at May 30, 2005 08:25 PM
Hi Billy,
so I went to the Getty yesterday, it was kind of nice, I got there right when it opened, after getting a not so nice speeding ticket...grrrr
Anyway, I LOVED the masterpieces in miniature exhibit, and whilst I was there, someone set off some kind of alarm, people were talking into their cufflinks and scurrying about, much fun!!
I saw the Monet, and the Pollack, which is on loan from MOCA..and of course, my second Van Gogh sighting, he makes me cry. The gardens were beautiful, but then, I had to leave, because throngs of people began arriving...damm people that steal my idea!!
Thank you for the tip, I had a wonderful time, although it was so hard for me to obey the "don't touch the art" rule.
love to all
jezzi
Posted by: jezebel at May 30, 2005 10:53 PM
I went to Ikea over the weekend too. Strange. I bought Billy the bookcase. Seriously. He was on sale. http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&categoryId=10514&langId=-1&parentCats=10104*10173*10514&cattype=sub
We always have fun reading the names of the stuff. I especially like the ones that sound kind of dirty. I can't remember any off hand, but we found a few.
Posted by: zannebee at May 31, 2005 12:35 PM
Jezzi...my mom and I do that sometimes too!! We're also Norwegian, and I love lingonberry juice (buy the concentrate and mix it with 3parts soda water and 1 part Vodka yummmm....)
Posted by: Abby at May 31, 2005 02:50 PM
Abby, how did I know? It's the cheeks, the pinchable cheeks we share!!!
lingonberry, I said lindonberry, what a doofus...a lingontini!!!!
yummy!
jezzi(good times,good times)
Posted by: jezebel at May 31, 2005 07:00 PM
Billy-Congrats on the scuba/PADI diving thing. Nice wetsuit, O'Neill wetsuits are the bomb. I have been surfing in them since I was young. Are you taking up surfing anytime soon? Take care......
Posted by: Brett at June 1, 2005 10:04 AM