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March 31, 2007
DIABLO DO OZZFEST
Well that was a bit of a crazy week! LOTS of things going on in my world, not least of which would be the Ozzfest announcement. It seems that Circus Diablo will be touring this summer – the Ozzfest and a bunch of other club dates in and around the festivals. Of course, we knew we had been asked, but we just needed to make sure we would have our shit together. And it all looks promising. The album will be released to coincide with the summer touring (no specifics just yet, cos I don’t wanna mess any thing up and we are awaiting those pesky things called contracts to sign!) and we will throw a single out beforehand and do a show or two to warm up. And with a little cleverness and lateral thinking on our part, I think we will be able to put together all the stuff a band needs to tour – bus, driver, crew, hotels etc etc. I gotta say I am really excited to get out and play these dates. The record is a great sounding rock and roll record, and we will have a lot of fun out there. The music business has become no place for the faint of heart these days – it is a lonely and vicious place, and 99% of people who work in it just do not care about the one thing that they are meant to care about ….. the music! But there is the 1% - the people that are trying to save us from bland, characterless, manufactured shit. I urge you to go out and find these people, these bands, these labels, and support them. Because if we don’t, then music will go so far underground that most of you will never be able to find it.
OK – rant over – now, what else has been going on? …… well, we resumed some work on the Camp Freddy album again this week. I spent a couple of days over in the Valley with Mike Clink – sang on a track and did a bunch of guitar bits and pieces. And we also listened back to everything we have so far (we have been at this now for YEARS!!!) and it all still sounds really good. So we have scheduled another couple of guests to record next week. I think the idea is to just keep chipping away and one day we’ll wake up to a completely finished record. I will, of course, let you know when that day comes!!
I also spent some time with Billy Duffy in my studio. He was over putting some riffs down – just ordering and doing housekeeping and getting his ideas out – but it is always a pleasure to sit and listen to that guy play guitar. He will be doing some of the Diablo dates, dependant on his Cult schedule, and we will also have another lead guitarist with us – again, I will tell you who, what, why and how when I can. Either way, I think that the Camp Freddy model of the ‘revolving line up’ is spreading into Circus Diablo – and why not. This is 2007 and bands, records, touring, and the industry in general is changing rapidly. I think that with a revolving line up, and multiple commitments for the musicians in a band, it keeps it fresh and exciting, and there will be no stale, ‘I played this show a thousand times already’ performances……. So lets see how it all pans out. I know that I will be singing every show, that’s for sure!
Donovans performance of Femmes and Phantoms at The Roxy was just pure, unadulterated FUN!! I know everyone will have read about it already, both on Daves site, and on the news wires (Donovan planted a kiss firmly on Dave – and everyone seems to be reporting it – Christ, is that all it takes to be newsworthy these days??!!) – but I need to reiterate what has already been said. The show was fantastic, Donovan was incredible, all dressed up and made up, and sang the songs with so much style and power. Monet and Dave both guested and looked and sounded (as always) awesome. And the whole night was a really cool, fun, rocking night out on the strip – something that we could all do with more of, right?! A huge thank you to Donovan for inviting Jen and I. And as you all know, Dave and I will be back on Indie 103.1FM tonight for an all new Camp Freddy Radio – while I remember, a HUGE THANK YOU to our very own Paul, who not only stays up every week to record the show for this site, but sent me three packets of Angel Delight, direct from the UK. Ahhh – a little taste of home away from home. Thank you Paul – you rock.
I gotta get going, so I am signing off for now – I might log on here during the show tonight and upload a couple of pics from the Camp Freddy Miami show and the studio session last week. For now, have a great weekend and I will be back soon.
Peace
Billy
(CLOSED)
Posted by vivelerock at March 31, 2007 08:49 AM
Comments
All good news. Sounds like lots of good music coming our way. As always looking forward to CFR tonight.
Posted by: Beth at March 31, 2007 10:05 AM
Excellent news all around!!
Posted by: Bonita at March 31, 2007 11:29 AM
i'm hoping you'll be near MPLS!
the fluidity of artists rotating thru bands seems to be increasing. (billy duffy, you, slipknow/stone sour, hell yeah, maynard, etc etc). i don't find it confusing cause the music seems to be all different & great in it's own right.
question: how do you think audiences/listeners will respond as time goes on? fans seemed to be fairly rigid in the past (if bands changed, their fans howled) and i'm wondering how you perceive the reaction to this shift in how bands function?
i'll be listening tonite as usual!
Posted by: mary at March 31, 2007 11:55 AM
I AM FUCKING PSYCHED TO HEAR THE CIRCUS DIABLO ALBUM! Really good news. I saw The Cult last year at the HOB San Diego and Duffy was the best guitarist i have seen live.
As long as a band doesn't change the lead singer the majority wont care.Personally though, when i see you guys live i need the led guitarist to also be in attendance.
Was Donovan & Dave's kis a part of the script or something ?
Posted by: Slut Mcfly at March 31, 2007 01:35 PM
Need another guitarist for a few CD dates? Have Dave check his schedule! THAT would be awesome!
Tonight I will finally be able to listen to a live CFR instead of a podcast!
Ya know June 5th is a lovely day to release the CD-it's 3 days after my birthday, the VR CD and Chris Cornells CD come out that day. I might make it a Holiday!
Posted by: Robin (peebs) at March 31, 2007 03:26 PM
awesome guns song 2nite.....mate where did it come from?
Posted by: paul at March 31, 2007 07:03 PM
Hi Billy- the banter between you
and Dave is so funny. It makes such
a cool Sat. night!
Thanx for the laughter:-) on CFR
Db
Posted by: Danni at March 31, 2007 07:34 PM
Ok, Im a little behind the ball here but, forgive me. I Loved the FL clip! Scott would always laugh at me beacuse I would listen to Disturbed but, then turn around and put in Fergie. Which he by the way was the last cd he bought me for valentines day. I would have given a million dollars to see him go in & purchase that CD!!! I love Disturbed & cant wait to see more clips of thtat!!! I also can wait to see Circus Diablo. Billy, Scott made be laugh. I told him there was one more group I had to see & it was Circus Diablo. He made me promise we wouldnt have to fly somewhere. He said do ya think they may play within driveable distance???? I just kept saying we will find out!!! But I will do what it takes. He wiould just laugh.
Posted by: Merc957 at March 31, 2007 09:44 PM
Constantly reading how messed up the music business is, is kinda disheartening for an aspiring musician. Is it really that bad?
In England the people selling the most records are pony rock bands like Razorlight and Snow Patrol, but they still have guitars. Could you explain what the biggest problems are,is it you mean just for new rock bands?
One more thing, I've never heard you mention The Libertines and I'm sure they're right up your street, are you a fan?
Posted by: Max at April 1, 2007 09:20 AM
Laurel and Hardy
Abbott and Costello
Martin and Lewis
Navarro and Morrison
I'm with Danni, the banter between you and Dave is just brilliant.
Posted by: Caff Sue at April 1, 2007 11:00 AM
Hi,
Did you taste the angel delight. I loved it as a kid but as an adult it's something else, thats not so nice as i remember!!!!
my favourite was chocolate sponge with minty green sauce ( custard sort of thing ).mmmmmmmmh
love cfr, listen every week and usually piss my sides with laughter.
juliex
Posted by: julie at April 1, 2007 01:14 PM
billy, not sure if you care, but you "CLICK HERE TO ENTER" page kills web traffic, your site would get a lot more traffic if you got rid of that page!
Posted by: cary at April 1, 2007 02:17 PM
Billy...
You have truly made me a fan of yours. I adore you fella!!! Anyways...don't get a big head. :P
How I would LOVE to see a CF gig. Y'all seem to have such an awesome time doing these shows, so it appears.
So is it true that you (CD) and TPC will tour?(eventually) Say it is so and come to the Southeast...I am begging and pleading. Need an AWESOME rock show...I am going through withdrawls.
Okay...ramble off.
Thank you Billy for being so good to us fans.
Much respect,
Tracy from Boringham, Alabummer
Posted by: Call Me T at April 1, 2007 03:15 PM
Cooo cool... I very much enjoyed this past edition of CFR too!
Posted by: Spencer at April 1, 2007 10:48 PM
Billy long time no talk! hey I got alot of killer shows coming up house of blues, another big venue time warner gig. they are putting it on demand, camp teddy. its gonna be tight. we have a two night show. it should be sick. but right now im sitting in beaitiful hawaii. its awsome doing some surfing tomorrow. right now just sitting herre over looking the beach smoking a grit. life is good my friend
see ya
Alec
Posted by: alec from camp teddy at April 3, 2007 09:51 PM
BOSTON Legal's writer's are brilliant.
Posted by: vergie loved A.N.S.?.M.(S?). at April 3, 2007 10:39 PM
Billy,
With Diablo dates on the horizon, how do you prepare yourself mentally, physically and musically for that matter for the grind of
fronting a touring band on the road?
Thank you,
Jay
Posted by: Jay at April 4, 2007 10:02 AM
Can't wait for Diablo tour and CD.
And Yes Duffy is one of the best guitar players on the planet.
Posted by: Terri at April 4, 2007 03:49 PM