pugwash

In mid-April myself, Tosh and Joey (driving) hopped on a ferry to Holyhead in Wales. We then drove those couple of hours up the beautiful Welsh coast, then under the Mersey to collect Shaun in Liverpool. A quick chicken sandwich and a lovely cuppa courtesy of Tosh (sandwiches) and Linda (Tea & biccies) and we were on the road to London. Just before we left Shaun's the la-la-la-la-la-la lovely Linda snapped the pic below.

PUGWASH by LINDA - 2011.

We then arrived on the Monday evening to our palatial wobbly rubber hotel (we always get them but we secretly love the mad ones to be honest). We all narrowly avoided hospital climbing the winding darkened bent 8 flights of stairs to our convex rooms and settled down to some kip, which was much needed after a long days travelling, (well done Joey) because in the morning we were off to ABBEY ROAD to master our album!! It's always very special and a very proud moment as we're there on merit and not as paying tourists. There's a BIG moral and professional difference I can tells ya'. Fancy getting a Pugs-Eye view of coming up to Abbey Road to work? (Apologies for the nervous silly voices and bad camera work by me!)

link

After the customary full English brekkie for the carnivores and scrambled eggs for Shaun in the Abbey Road canteen we then had to get our heads down and put the icing on 'The Olympus Sound' cake and working with uber masterer Sir.Geoff Pesche is always a dream from start to finish. Geoff mastered 'The Duckworth Lewis Method' album and the last Divine Comedy one so he's now a well established part of our sound and a really good friend. He did his thing.....and we nailed it!!

THE PUGS AND SIR. GEOFF PESCHE - ABBEY ROAD 2011.

As is customary in the 'Road', after the work is done.....you go hunting!! Studio 1 & 3 are always amazing to pop in to but I think you know where I'm going here.....yes - STUDIO 2!! We popped our heads in of course and it never ever fails to give me that feeling of taking a piss in the sea when I was about 8 years old. You know that feeling..don't pretend you don't..!!

WITH OUR MATE, COMEDIAN PAUL PUTNER - STUDIO 2.

So there you have it - Pugwash - Abbey Road - Mastering - The Olympus Sound - DONE..!! See you soon guys 'n galls. xxxxx

 "AND IN THE END....." - PUGWASH LEAVING 'THE ROAD'.

Well hello to me and some other people that may chance upon this little blog-ette. I, Thomas Walsh, do hereby solemnly swear to maybe, if I remember, or if I have the time and my computer doesn't explode, to post up stories, pictures and exclusive 'Olympian' style sounds for your delectation about the forthcoming 'Pugwash' album....."THE OLYMPUS SOUND".

Me putting down rhythm guitar on the track 'Heal me' inspired by my personal letter from Jeff Lynne that I recieved during the recording of "The Olympus Sound". I still pee a little when I look at it and hold it and sleep with it and go shopping with it and.....

As well as giving you an insight into all things new in the Pug-camp I'll post up old treasures, lost Pug-tunes and stories relating to said ditties. This is just the start of my blog-life. So pop by and put another (B)log on the fire and if you're Dutch..kick off your (B)clogs.....(that one didn't work as well as the 'log' one I'm afraid). Leave messages, ask for stuff, slag me off or tell us we're brilliant.....it's up to you!!

 The one - the only Tosh Flood putting down some 'Rod' acoustic on the track 'I don't like it but I've gotta do it' during the sessions for the album.

The new album is recorded and is soon to be mastered at the beautiful 'Abbey Road' studios in London. The track-listing has been shifted, moved and dragged all over the minds of Tosh and I but it looks like it will finally lay down peacefully in this shape :

ANSWERS ON A POSTCARD

THERE YOU ARE

TO THE WARMTH OF YOU

FALL DOWN

BE MY FRIEND AWHILE 

DEAR BELINDA

15 KILOCYCLE TONE

I DON'T LIKE IT BUT I'VE GOTTA DO IT

HERE WE GO 'ROUND AGAIN

SUCH BEAUTY THROWN AWAY

SEE YOU MINE - {Coda}

FOUR DAYS

Dave 'Genius' Gregory (XTC) scored an amazing string arrangement on 'To the warmth of you', Andy Partridge sang (incredibly) and co-wrote the track 'Here we go 'round again', Neil 'Lewis' Hannon plays and sings on 6 tracks and Ben Folds plays piano on the track 'Dear Belinda' which was written by me for a wonderful friend of the bands - actress Belinda Stewart-Wilson.

Ben Folds and myself after an ivory tickling session..... 

So guys 'n gals I'll see you all shortly for another update with (possibly) a snippet of some new stuff for you to judge and say......"ah..pedestrian really..". In the meantime.....Loredo Tornado - adios amigos!! xx

Ah go on then.....here's a link to an un-mastered snippety-snip-snoop of a new tune.....

http://snd.sc/fY30RN

Mr. Neil Hannon - Somewhere between waking and sleeping.....