~ Blame it on the Stripes and Pearls ~

explained

I have been posting a song a day on MySpace bulletins, writing about the inspiration behind the music and words. The initial two weeks worth of tunes came from the 1st KSH album "Blame it on the Stripes and Pearls". I've collected together all of the posts and stuck them together here for you all to read. Listen and enjoy. Mike.

Learning to be humble This song is the one that set me down the path of recording style that has made up the last two albums. Originally, when I sat down to record it was just going to be vocals and guitars. Whilst playing back the guitar part for this track I started tapping and beating along on the back of my guitar, curious as to whether it would sound any good I recorded the beats. From there on in I grabbed what ever I could to create a percussion section and loved the noises I was coming out with. As for the song itself, it was written not long after the demise of my last band. We, like so many other bands, were chasing a record deal. Something which eventually killed us off. With no band and the fact that I was getting older meant that prospects of the rock and roll life style were no longer in my grasp. King Street Hobo was brought about in an effort for me to just enjoy music and the fact that I could play, a relaxation of the musical aspirations I once had. Hence, I had to learn how to be humble and enjoy the simple pleasures.

Aint That Common Next song I thought I would show you is "Aint That Common" The music for this came about after listening to lots and lots of Kelly Joe Phelps. For all you budding acoustic guitar players I recommend you check him out. With the words I tried to create "King Street Hobo" as an actual character, a friendly tramp on the street who talks to people. He's a guy who's down on his luck but wants to impart advice to others so that they may avoid the same fate. He talks about how not to get caught up with material possessions or the cult of celebrity. Seemingly obvious things to avoid but stuff people fall prey to all the time. The whole song can be summed up by the last chorus... "Common sense ain't that common, it only appears when you hit rock bottom"

Head Wreck The words for this were pulled out of an old note book I have. I must have been properly miserable as the lyrics are down and out self loathing. They talk about when you're under a black cloud, thinking too much you tend to procrastinate, things that you try and distract yourself with stop taking effect, how I had no religious faith to fall back on to help pick me up again and perhaps most importantly how being in such a mood effects those around you just as badly. This song did appear on the lives sets, but in the first year or so of playing I tended to play at places where people talked a lot during acoustic acts. I personally don't have a huge problem with that, it just meant I made sure my set was loud and brash enough to catch their attention. As a result quieter songs like this no longer got played. Which is a shame because I really rather like the music.

Old Town Old Town, is a song based on my thoughts about the city of Liverpool. My dads side of the family come from there and I have been known to slip into a scouse accent when drunk or angry. Anyway, the song is two things. An ever so brief history of the city and my own person thoughts on the place and family who still live there. I sadly don't go there nearly as often as I should but it is part of my own personal history.

Carry the Weight This song is based on certain aspects of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" by Milan Kundera. The book talks about how a persons life is ultimately insignificant, every decision doesn't matter. Since decisions do not matter hence they are "light", they do not tie us down. At the same time this insignificance makes life unbearable. I also picked up on how our burdens and responsibilities do weigh us down but they add gravity to what we do, helps define us and counters that which light and ephemeral. ...I could waffle on for hours about it, instead may I introduce to you..."Carry the weight"

Wall Flower The music for this tune has that 6/8 swing favoured by singer songwriters. The music from this was a left over from my old band Bodhi, it was part of a batch of songs that were knocking around about the time we split up. I was really quite fond of it and so re-arranged it. As for the lyrics, it's about a young lady out on a night out. Something plays on her mind which is stopping her from letting go and having a good time. There's a point where everyone elses good times just contrast her own mood making her stand out in a crowd. I'm sure we've all been there at some point.

Pretty Lie The music for this is all played on the lap slide. Those of you who've not seen/heard lap slide, check out this video of Kelly Joe Phelps to get an idea. For the most part it's a really simple, stripped down arrangement but I threw in a groove/jam section at the end just for the hell of it. As for the lyrics, it was inspired by friends around me who were cheating on their partners. One was a very charismatic guy who ALL the ladies seemed to like, the girl in question just seemed to be innocent. Or was she? I often wondered whether it was just a lure. Either way, I didn't agree. "Pretty Lie" refers to the lengths people have to go to cover up such things.

Red Eye This tune has been one of the most popular ones I've done. It's also a hoot to play live because I can break out the ol' lap slide. It's down right dirty and groovy. I love it. Some people have thought that the song is about being stoned because of the title "Red Eye". It's actually about having insomnia and being constantly woken up by "DUDE! LETS PARTY!" house mates. "Red Eye" refers to having no sleep what so ever for days on end. B*stards.

Jagged Beats When I was recording this album I used to get taken to a club night in Manchester run by some friends of friends. It was a popular night, always packed but the music and the crowd there weren't my thing. So this song is about that night, the people I'd bump into and the daft situations I observed. Also, this song gave rise to the album name "Blame it on the Stripes and Pearls" as there was an abundance of ladies wearing them at this club night.

Always Ready This song is a bitter/sweet thing for me. I used to play it live but I wont be doing so any more. The song was written for a girl I was with for a very long time, sadly we're no longer together. It's a sweet little song with suitably cute lyrics. I've heard many times that you should never date a musician, they'll only write a song about you when you break up. At least this song is in memory of happier times.

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