Hello.

Well it's been a while, partly because we're all keeping busy, and partly because none of us can decide on what The Mekano Set really is. So I'm going to do the decent thing and tell you the what, the where and the who of it all. So what can I tell you that won't bore you to tears?

Well I have to say that I'm spending much more time these days actually listening to music, which I'm ashamed to say wasn't something I really did even half as much as I should: I've currently got Ladytron, the soundtracks to Naked Lunch and the remake of Solaris, as well as the ever-present early Curve stuff on constant rotation.

So, a couple of months ago me and Beth started editing and overdubbing some of the best moments from the early improv sessions. Why? Because we could, because we needed to, because it felt like the decent thing to do. Naturally, it all got completely out of hand and there are at least nine versions {and counting} of Reel to Real and Dirty Hand Job.

We've also been working on new tracks prised {or even prized} from our own garbled collection of ideas, the concequence of getting brave {or drunk} enough to share things like lyrics and half-formed songs {as opposed to just assuming that the other person knows what you are doing / singing / playing} with such wholesome themes as sex, getting people into trouble, and the weather. Seriously, they all seem to be about sex or / and the weather. Lewis [alias The Steam Age] sings about the sea, we sing about the weather. It's all very holistic {it's four in the morning here in Brighton and it really seems like holistic should be spelt wholistic. But I'm scared to check, because things like that really shouldn't matter, at least not at four in the morning they shouldn't} and healthy I'm sure you won't agree.

It's taken us a while to get a CD's worth of material together simply because we drink too much, combined with the fact that neither of us can handle our drink {plus I only seem to see Lewis or Nigel when they are on their way or returning back from something else}. But it's all sounding damned good - far too big, far too dirty, far too funny - as far as I'm concerned. I'm also concerned that the fun of it won't come across and we'll be seen as sardonic goths who are just taking the piss. If that's the case, then 4uck you chav scum. Frankly, most goths, like most chavs, deserve to have the piss taken out of them. But that's just my opinion. 'Some of my best friends are goths and chavs' etc. well, one or two...

Anyhoo, some sensible .mp3's will be up and around as soon as we get around to checking the relevant cell structures. We're also working on where and how we can do it live, as a 'duo' in some kind of semi-ironic {or 'drunk'} synth-pop stylee - but with bass / guitar instead of a huge analog synth array. I'm currently pondering the merrits of a 'live percussionist'...

Rather than 'sell out' I think we've pretty much opted for a self indulgent 'this is our idea of pop music: if you like pop music you won't like it' approach.

The Mekano Set: shooting itself in the foot, because it's the honourable thing to do.

If recording vocals on the beach in the middle of the night and adding inexplicable amounts of distortion and delay to every instrument and vocal is pop, then we're pop daddio!

Mr. The Shore has been keeping busy with all things Blanket, and also crafting a number of post-rock sea shanties {imagine The Swans with a thing for the sea. Now go and visit his web site, which looks good enough to eat - or at least put in your mouth and chew for a bit, whatever the virtual equivalent is}.

Mr. Nodule appears to have gone into hiding. Although he did emerge from exhile over the weekend to join me and Dr. Jo for a spot of improvisational musings.

I'm also working on some new stuff with Jennie of Lambikini fame which should produce some interesting results of a dirty beats / spoken word / spooky dronage variety.

On a more Smash Hits level, Lewis has grown a beard, something that Jo thinks we all should do {including herself, and Beth}, but we won't go into that.

We've got some live photos to put up as well as soon as someone can scan them in. I might also post a copy of an ongoing debate I've been having with someone who works in the music biz simply because it shows just how completely stubborn and anti-commercial our attitude is! You load the gun, I'll take my socks off...

We are The Mekano Sets, are you feeling ungrateful? Would you like to?