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Andy Fraser – This is the Big One

Unlucky Fried Kitten recording "Getting My Own Back (on you)"

The glass of Strongbow cider in Andy Export’s hand probably tells the story of why he is holding his head. This is from the day that Unlucky Fried Kitten went wild in the studio to record their latest batch of songs. The current line-up consists of Lee Palmer on bass guitar and his son, James on rhythm and lead guitar. The drum-kit is attacked…in the kindest possible way…by James Hayward, and the vocals are supplied by Maidstone’s answer to Kylie Minogue…Andy Export  (aka Andy Fraser).  Andy’s wife, Rio Fraser completes the UFK collection in her role as videographer and backing vocalist..

Rio grapples with the tripod

Unlucky Fried Kitten motored off to Newington, in Kent, on this sunny day in mid-October 2009, to record their latest batch of songs:

PEOPLE

LIFE IN MY TOWN

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

GETTING MY OWN BACK (on you)

The day went well with Kris, of Squarehead Studio, at the controls and UFK did, indeed, manage to get the 4 songs done in the allotted time.

Andy Export and Kris in sound booth

Much fun was had by all with James, Lee, James and Rio donning the head-phones to lay down some punchy backing vocals on People and Getting My Own Back (on you)

UFK with backing vocals

UFK like birds in a nest

UFK get some vocals down

Unlucky Fried Kitten were aiming for a sound that they can…and do…create live. The only over-dubbing on their four songs came when the backing vocals on two of the songs were added on.

When all is said and done…it was a very successful day for UFK…with fun, food and a lot of swearing.

*YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED*

Andy Fraser, English musician, best known for his songwriting and bass playing with Free.

It’s Monday, which means we are all feeling a little more “owned” by the “man” than we do on other days of the week.  Thank God for bands like Free and their power anthem “It’s all right now” to help us groove the Monday blues away!  And no, I’m proud of myself for having just typed that!  You try writing something for a blog everyday! Stop judging me… It’s all right now!

It occurred to me yesterday, while writing about formal coats, how essential an item of clothing a coat was to a teenage boy in the 1960s: not just any old coat, not a formal overcoat, but, very specifically, an army or navy greatcoat, obtained for a cheap price from either a Salvation Army store, or an army and navy surplus store (I cannot tell you if these are still going, but it would have been interesting to see the profit graphs of such shops in 1969-1970. Someone somewhere must have been scratching their head).

I cannot be sure who started this, but I associate it very strongly with the four-piece band Free, who were at the height of their popularity at that time (the hit song “All Right Now” was everywhere – nobody disliked it. In fact, Tony Blair frequently admitted that, if he hadn’t been born into his own body, he’d have liked most of all to have been Paul Rodgers, their singer). Their bass-player, Andy Fraser – and it was his loud and clear bass-lines, quite unlike the more common, modestly background rhythm-section bass-lines, which made their sound distinctive – wore an army greatcoat. Free were very popular in Sunderland, where, beneath the bowling alley in which I had worked as a cleaner, there was a ‘nightclub’ called, very preposterously, the Fillmore North. (If this means nothing to you, The Fillmores East and West were the New York and San Francisco venues most famous at the time for any electric music. Sunderland’s Fillmore had some plastic palm trees, and was very small.)

In fact, Free even recorded a live album (or most of it) in Sunderland. I remember being unable to go, but seeing the long lines of navy-blue, greatcoated young men, very occasionally with a girl in tow, stretching a long way back from the entrance. It may be that they were dressed this way because they all owned the very cheap Island record sampler ‘You Can All Join In”, which made a large number of reputations. It was 13/11, as I remember, or even 13/6 – i.e. 70p. Here’s the cover:

The cover of 'You Can All Join In'

At the front are Andy Fraser (second from right) and Paul Rodgers (second from left). Theirs was the look we aspired to. I wonder if the ’surplus’ shops actually had to put in orders for more surplus, as it were.

There was only one other coat you had to have, and that was an Afghan. Whether the Afghan coats had actually been made in Afghanistan, I have my doubts, but there were always vans selling them at open-air events. The only requirement for an Afghan was that it (a) looked a bit tatty, and (b) smelled as if the goat was still going off.

I am not sure what became of either my greatcoat or my Afghan, which is odd, because I am very, very poor at getting rid of any articles at all, and the greatcoat was made to last at least two hundred years. I doubt I gave them away. Most probably they were surgically removed by a partner, from a wardrobe or a hook, and, just to show that a hoarding instinct is not necessary, I don’t think I’ve noticed that I haven’t got them till now (which raises the awful thought that they might still be stashed in my loft).

The Afghan probably made its own unapologetic exit – it certainly gave the impression that it was still capable of some movement.

1.

Rock Out at Staines

Overthrow
Feb 12 2009
Hobgoblin
Staines
With: MR KAMIKAZE + THE NEW ASSASSINS

Overthrow are a 4 piece band from Guildford in the UK. They have been playing together for about two and a half years. Throughout the last year they have been gigging across the country, and also recording a new six track EP “So Much Power, So Little Time” which is OUT NOW!!

Lots of energy and motivation is guaranteed… so come and see ‘em!

————————————————

See the ADPONTES Review of the NEW ASSASSINS here…one of STAINES favourite bands!

2.

Classic Rock & Heavy Metal – Staines

Raw Glory
Feb 15 2009
Dog & Partridge
Staines

Raw Glory is Ronnie Garrity (bass), Paul Manzi (vocals), Mick Underwood
(drums), Cosmo (guitar)…

Over many years Mick Underwood has played, toured and recorded with a host of artists as diverse as  Paul Rodgers (Free and Bad Company). Some of the bands he was a member of include The Outlaws, The Herd (with Peter Frampton), Episode Six, Quatermass, Peace, Strapps, Gillan (with 4 Top 20 albums, 2 of which were Top 3), Quatermass II and so on… as well as far too many recording sessions to remember, let alone list in their entirety.

Cosmo toured extensively in the UK and US with The Heavy Metal Kids, and then Curtis Knight & the Squires (a former member of Jimi Hendrix’ pre-Experience band). He has also worked with Frankie Miller, Andy Fraser (Free), Lionel Morton (The Four Pennies), David Jack (East Of Eden), Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy), Brian Connolly (Sweet) and the legendary Jordanaires (Elvis’ backing group) – the list is endless!

www.myspace.com/rawgloryrock

3.

Rock, Soul & Country  - Shepperton

Micky Kemp
Band
Feb 14 2009
Barley Mow
Shepperton

Micky Kemp writes the songs, plays rythmn geetar and sings,

His devastating good looks and charm have made him a big hit with the over 70’s and under 5’s, it seems to have failed miserably on all points between.

He is ably assisted by One of the UK’S great guitarists, Ex Ian Hunter etc etc Darrell Bath. Darrell sings a bit too and plays lead guitar, a master of understated playing and tone perfection, Dazza loves playing guitar, drinking and british sitcoms, he can be found most evenings watching George and Mildred.

Link:

www.myspace.com/mickykempband

4.

Stunning Jazz & Latin Singer – Live in Ascot

Trudy Kerr
Feb 15 2009
Jagz
Ascot

Trudy has been singing at JAGZ for more than ten years. A very versatile singer who has entertained our Saturday revellers as well as the more serious jazzers on a Sunday. She now prefers the more serious side of the business and is only working the major jazz clubs in town or on tour.

Her musicians with her at the JAGZ show are Michael Garrick, piano, Geoff Gascoyne, bass, and Sebastion De Krom, drums.

Sunday, 15th February
Show will start at 1pm to 3.30pm
Ticket cost: £6.00
Special offer, entrance and roast lunch £12

Link:

www.myspace.com/trudykerr

5.

Awesome Classic Rock Covers Band – in Windsor

Netherworld
Feb 13 2009
Old Ticket
Hall
Windsor

Fronted by the amazingly talented Jason Stretch on vocals and guitar, backed by the brilliant bass playing and vocals of Paul Smith and the dynamic drumming of Ian Roberts, NETHERWORLD ROCKS. Covering the best classic rock songs known to this planet, you will not fail to be impressed by the superbly tight musicianship of these three heavyweight players … Previous gigging and recording credits include; Steve Harris(Iron Maiden) Hal Lindes(Dire Straits) Neil Murray (Whitesnake/Black Sabath/Queen)… check the ADPONTES-STAINES live review here.

THE OLD TICKET HALL, WINDSOR, SL4
Cost: £3
+ DJ PLAYING 80’s & 90’s HITS – BAR OPEN TILL 2AM

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/netherworldrock

Other local dates for NETHERWORLD fans:

Mar 1 2009      5:00P The Dog & Partridge     Staines
Mar 7 2009      8:00P  Hounslow Staff Social Club    

-Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts-

Raw Glory have uploaded some new tracks onto their MySpace site, including Only the Night, Man’s World, White Lies…

They also have some new West London / Middlesex / Surrey dates:

Feb 14 2009      10:00P  The Rising Sun, Slough

Feb 15 2009     6:00P      The Dog & Partridge, Staines

Apr 10 2009     9:00P     The Cardinal Wolsey, East Molesey

May 30 2009     9:00P    The Windsor Castle, Carshalton

Raw Glory is Ronnie Garrity (bass), Paul Manzi (vocals), Mick Underwood
(drums), Cosmo (guitar)…

Over the following years Mick Underwood has played, toured and recorded with a host of artists as diverse as  Paul Rodgers (Free and Bad Company). Some of the bands he was a member of include The Outlaws, The Herd (with Peter Frampton), Episode Six, Quatermass, Peace, Strapps, Gillan (with 4 Top 20 albums, 2 of which were Top 3), Quatermass II and so on… as well as far too many recording sessions to remember, let alone list in their entirety. Cosmo toured extensively in the UK and US with The Heavy Metal Kids, and then Curtis Knight & the Squires (a former member of Jimi Hendrix’ pre-Experience band). He has also worked with Frankie Miller, Andy Fraser (Free), Lionel Morton (The Four Pennies), David Jack (East Of Eden), Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy), Brian Connolly (Sweet) and the legendary Jordanaires (Elvis’ backing group) – the list is endless!

www.myspace.com/rawgloryrock
Stumble It!

The Martini Slutz comprised of Andy Fraser on vocals and Tim Beeby on guitar and Pete Chamberlain on the drums and Pres Amin on the bass guitar..lots of “and” words there…but that’s the way it is.

This was called Gypsy…and it was by The Martini Slutz.

Andy Fraser became Andy Export in 1995 when he formed the indo-european rock band, Unlucky Fried Kitten. This is just a way to get the song to video format so don’t get excited by the imagery.

The Martini Slutz disbanded in 1986….but not before they had played some nice local and Lonon gigs…supporting the likes of The Dentists and V2086.

Andy’s Unlucky Fried Kitten have kept with the punky formula and can be found on YouTube and on MySpace.

Andy became addicted to Google Gulp in the latter part of 2006. If you are unfamiliar with the drink, Google Gulp….just google it.

Well…anyway…enjoy this one…..GYPSY.

Unlucky Fried Kitten present Loserville.com

Andy Export of Unlucky Fried kitten was fascinated by the story of the Green Children of Woolpit (details of story to follow) and in 1986 he wrote and recorded his tribute..called…GREEN CHILD. Footage will soon be available of a recording of the actual song…in 1986. Unlucky Fried Kitten have featured this song in their repertoire since their inception in 1995.

Lyric:

GREEN CHILD (words and music by andy fraser)

I’m a poor little Green Child

I’m away from home

I’m a poor little Lost Boy

With no place to go…well I don’t know, well I

Everything looks different

Only some things are real

When are we going back sis?

She said I don’t know, well I don’t know, well I

I’m scared, I wanna go, when are we going back home?

I’m scared, I wanna go, when are we gonna get back home?

Mama said don’t go far

And be home for tea

Maybe she’s chopping cabbage

Or cooking celery for our tea

Everyone looks different

Only some look real

There’s a man but he’s dressed strange

What the Hell is this crazy deal?

I’m scared etc

*********************

So…the video will follow. It was made in 1986. Here’s the account of the Green Children:

The village of Woolpit (formally known as Wulpet) was named after some ancient cavities, called ‘Wolfpittes’, so called because the great pits were once used to trap wolves. It was in these pits, that the villagers made a very strange discovery back in the 12th century.

One day, the villagers were harvesting the crops of the nearby fields when they heard frightened cries coming from the pits. The puzzled workers went to investigate and discovered two terrified children.

The children appeared normal except for two striking features. Firstly, they talked in a strange language but by far the most intriguing characteristic of these children was their skin – it was completely green! The children, a boy and his slightly older sister, were dressed in strange clothes of an unknown material.

After recovering from the strange sight, the villagers took pity on the children and took them to the home of Sir Richard de Calne, a local landowner, at Wikes. News soon spread and many people visited his home to see the amazing sight. Although exhausted and nearly starving, the children could not be persuaded to eat.

The next day, a maid brought some fresh green beans, with their stalks still attached, into the house. The children gestured for them and ate the raw beans with pleasure. This was their main food for many months until they learned to eat bread and other local food.

Gradually their colour started to change, to become nearer that of the local children.

The people felt it fitting that the green children should be baptised. They stayed at the home of Sir Richard and were treated with great care and kindness by the knight and his servants.

Sadly, the boy fell ill and died but his sister continued in good health and, as she grew older, her skin’s green hue disappeared, so her complexion was like that of any other local girl.

During her years in Sir Richard’s household, the girl learned to speak fluent English and what she told of her origins, only deepened the mystery. She said she came from the land of St. Martin, a Christian country with churches to worship in. She explained that it was a place where the sun did not rise but where twilight settled on the land.

The girl was unable to explain how she and her brother were found in the wolf pits. She could only remember that one day, they were feeding her father’s flocks and they heard a great sound like bells. They became entranced and found themselves in an underground cave.

They stayed, exploring, until they came out into the daylight and found themselves in the pit and the company of the villagers.

The children’s story was written down by William of Newburge. According to some sources, the girl became known as Agnes Barre and eventually married a man from King’s Lynn. Today the green children, like the wolves, are long gone, but their memory lives on in the village sign and also on a banner in Woolpit’s church. No one knows if the green girl ever had any children, so who knows, maybe the green children also live on, through unknown descendents, and are still part of this world today.

For Immediate Release:  October 12, 2008

Gioia Bruno (of Expose’), Andy Fraser (of Free), Musiq Maniacs and DJ Maximus 3000 join creative forces for Obama.

“Miami October 12, 2008 – Gioia Bruno teams up with Andy Fraser to write a song for and inspired by Barack Obama. Bruno Singer, songwriter and producer Best known for being 1/3 of the female super pop/freestyle/dance group Expose’ which had phenomenal success with first seven singles reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, including the 1988 #1 hit “Seasons Change”. Fraser is also famed Bassist and co-founder of the UK Based Rock Group Free, Best known for their hit “All Right Now”, which has been called one of the rock anthems of our century. He has recently been inducted into BMI’s rare 3 million club signifying the number of times the song has been played on radio. With this cross section of talent and fan base the two Writers felt inspired and called upon to use their sphere of influence and reach to add their voices to the growing number of artists, celebrities, public personalities and influential people crying out for a change in the United states this election.

“Change the World”, was created to motivate people to take a stand and to remind them that we all have a voice. The song carries an uplifting positive and happy vibe, a reminder of what golden times this country once had and more importantly holds a mirror up to the face of all the citizens of the United States reminding us of the dark times we are in and what’s to come if we don’t act now!

Miami Based DJ/Producer Maximus 3000 was also approached to contribute to the collaboration. He added an extended more euphoric club mix “speaking the language of his people” as he put it. When asked how and why Maximus got involved with the project he stated: “Well, like most things in the industry I got sent an acapella from a friend and was explained in very brief detail what the song was about and who was involved. It didn’t take too much back and forth before I went full force with my involvement. For one, it’s Gioia Bruno! Secondly the song fit so naturally with where I’m at right now it felt right to get involved. Barack Obama is the only presidential candidate that speaks to me and represents me as an individual, defending me and showing me a glimmer of hope in this country where I STILL don’t have the same rights as my heterosexual brothers and sisters (which is an issue that speaks to me). That boggles my mind and frankly hurts so deeply, it felt like my duty to “take the torch” so to speak on this issue. Turning it down would be turning down a chance to do something significant. Besides Gioia’s lyrics and vocals are mind numbingly addictive!

Whatever your reasons may be to support change, tax relief, bringing our troops home from war, helping with health care and social security, human rights and equality or a desire to be HAPPY in your own country we implore you to VOTE VOTE VOTE this election. We are at the pinnacle of a turning point in history.

So if you are a Journalist, Blogger, or Columnist – POST THIS. If you have a mailing list, or you are a promoter, or a member of a Group, – FORWARD THIS. IF you are DJ , Radio Personality , Program Director, own an Internet Radio station, – PLAY THIS. If you have a myspace page, website or blog – POST OUR BANNERS. Most importantly, if you want change – Than you must VOTE this Historical Election! This song belongs to you, the People. It is YOURS to share, so spread the word!”

www.djmaximus3000.com/changetheworld

*Please Visit the “Comment” Section and Leave a comment if you are going post, share, forward , or play any of the tracks in the download page,  or if you have any positive feedback.

Please reply to this email if you would like to set up an interview or on-Air appearance.

The news abut the elections in the USA has become a background drone, but one thing popped out from this white noise — that the song to support the campaign to elect Mr. Barak Obama is called “Obama (Yes We Can)”.

At first it was the “Yes we can” that caught my attention — could this be a rip off of our very own “Bob the Builder” hit sung by Neil Morrissey?

Then I heard it was written by and performed by our own Andy Fraser! Well, obviously I HAD to dig out a Free album (Fire and Water) and give it a spin for nostalgia’s sake; I LOVE the fat bass Andy got way back in 1970 when Hendrix was alive, and Cream and the fab four were still “together”.

I had forgotten how fabulous this album is, and what a great band Free were. Maaaan, it was a trip!

Paul Rodgers and Andy Fraser (at just 18 back then) co-wrote the album’s seven tracks, starting with the title track, and finishing with their biggest hit, the all-time classic, “All Right Now”.

01 – Fire and Water – A major;
02 – Oh I Wept – E minor;
03 – Remember – Ab major;
04 – Heavy Load – D minor;
05 – Mr. Big – E minor;
06 – Don’t Say You Love Me – E major;
07 – All Right Now – A major.

If memory serves me right, this album went top 20 here and in the USA. A simple four piece, with each part pared down and simplified, Free are as inspirational as they are distinctive. Paul Rodgers can sing, but it’s the fills that make him so special, so soulful. Paul Kossoff on simple, emotional lead learned from Peter A Green on tour supporting and jamming with the original Bluesy Fleetwood Mac. Simon Kirke on drums — drums that are integral to the tune. And of course, Andy Fraser’s fat sparse bass.

Andy’s Bass solo on Mr.Big has always been a classic.  He’s got a cheekiness about his bass lines, a great tone and personality that is not about showing off, and not even about being in the back line or rhythm section, but about being part of the tune, a compositional part of the whole song.

When I hear Free, I am always reminded of a lecturer who used to make us test our artworks by demanding of each component “Are you needed — would it be better with or without you?”. Every note and noise enhances Free, exclude one rimshot or bass note and it would suffer; it all fits perfectly together — and the gaps provide the space that makes them seem grander and more powerful that a mere four piece.

In my early bands I used to try to get the guys to stop overplaying — to get some build-ups or at least some dynamics involved (not always successfully — people just wanna play all the time) — and I would often play them Fire and Water (and their later live album) to make the point.

Funny the things that trigger a musical nostalgia trip!

Here’s a video of Andy’s song from You Tube:

It seems that Andy has not lost his sparse (and typically fat sounding) bass line!

§

THE TRAGEDIAN
(by Andy Export)

Andy found pleasure in alcohol but it did not occur to him that he was an alcoholic. It is an attribute not generally apparent to the victim, but one which is totally visible to other people. The worst thing an addict can do is associate with someone in the same situation because they will both see the supposed beauty of the drink and will rarely be sober enough to see the beastliness it will bring out in the other. Rego came over from Dublin to live in Maidstone, the county town of Kent, and soon became Andy’s partner in bar-room occupation. They reigned familiar in the town’s taverns …Andy comic-cut in his black bowler and baggy trousers…Rego ridiculously tall with a lop-sided grin and a miniscule moustache one inch square beneath his ever-twitching nose. They teamed up with an American “guy” called Chris…button-nose…unusually coy (for a Yankee)…and revelled in their mutually intoxicated company.
Their existence was an unchanging cycle of happy evenings, missing hours, black swirling arguments and days off work resulting in lost jobs and rent arrears…followed by deep depressions. And so to drink!
During their not often enough soberish periods they did realise that the drink could only be disastrous for them and they were each creative in their own ways. Chris played guitar, Rego painted and sketched and Andy wrote…but their creativity invariably led to unhappiness due to an intense, yet unfulfilled, desire to reach the top of the tree.
One day Andy met a girl and he soon discovered how pleasant an absence of delirium tremens could be. He met her in a grill bar on one of his mornings of regret. They had seen each other before on a few occasions, in a local pub where they had mutual acquaintances, but they had never spoken to each other…Andy always too drunk and the girl always too disinterested. Her name was Rachel.
He was in love with her particularly because he felt that his love would not be reciprocated. One-sided love is always stronger than mutual love because you desire something to a greater extreme if it is unobtainable. It becomes an obsession.
Andy was soon in custody of her dreamy beauty as they moved in conversation with the ease of two pawns’ movements on a chess board. Always forward. From time to time Rachel gathered  her fantastic cherry auburn hair in her small hands and pulled it back to highlight her heart-throb features. It struck Andy in such a tinderbox fashion that he was in subliminal fear of spontaneous combustion.
Fiery particles of love danced around his heart, scaling his emotions, slowly chilling his insides and finally leading to a gradual vibrant descent of intense stimulation. And so…he was in love.
Rego and Chris were less than happy with the situation. Dipsomaniacs get very possessive about their kinsmen and the thought of losing Andy, their fire-water friend and poet, to a “stupid girl” was an horrific thought in the mildest. Even more daunting that she was a delicately beautiful girl. Her fine hands, to them, were the threatening hands of a social strangler. Her Pierrot countenance was a decoy for a devious fellowship-crushing plan. They sat in wooden-panelled alehouses discussing the downfall of their absent friend, denouncing him with poisoned tongues and malevolent accusation. The steady bickering accompanied the regulated sinking of the liquor and their malice for Andy soon filled the gap that he had left. The jilted drinkers would see him walking through the streets every now and again armed with a floral bouquet or a box of chocolates for his new love and  true love. He would smile and wave as if he had not a stress in the world and they would return his greetings…but with lips of falsehood and hypocritical hands.
Seldom did they stop to speak…but when they did…Andy would tell them how happy his life had become with his loving girlfriend. Their lives continued in this manner until six months after the drinker’s initial disruption…when , one evening, Rego and Chris were startled to find Andy awaiting them in their favourite corner of “Drake’s Crab and Oyster House” down by the River Medway. They made their stumbling way to the corner, slopping their drinks en-route, and took a seat opposite Andy, eager to discover just what he wanted in their hostelry…in their corner. Andy told them that he intended to marry Rachel and he wished to take the opportunity to advise them both to cut back on the drinking…and to search out a happier route in life. He told them how much healthier he was without the alcohol-abuse and how much more rewarding his life had become. He stressed that it was personal concern for two friends that brought him to pass on his advice. Rego opened his drunken mouth and asked Andy who he thought he was to come lecturing…just because he had got some girl who kept him under her thumb. Chris, spurred on by Rego‘s slurred outburst, promptly emptied his booze over Andy‘s head. There was no retaliation. The victim watched in despair as his erstwhile friends laughed in merriment, bearing their alcohol-stained teeth before their ulcered tongues. He silently rose to his feet, shook his head and walked away…flinching as Rego’s cold beer hit his back, soaking him instantly.

Most eyes were upon him as he left the bar feeling like a convicted criminal leaving the dock….head held high but with mock dignity.
He walked for more than one hour…playing the tortuous pub-scene over and over in his cinematic mind. He wondered why he hadn’t told them the truth…that Rachel had not been interested in his advances or his gifts, designed to soften her up. Perhaps he should have told them that his six months away had been a sham. He had only wanted to reform…conform…and ask Rachel again…after demonstrating his sobriety.
Andy wiped his dusty shoes upon the worn-down coconut matting and pushed hard on the stiffly-wedged door.  The bell clanged fiercely, startling the baggy-eyed shopman propped up behind the counter with his racing paper. Andy made a purchase.
A solitary hoot carried from the woods, followed by a cracking of twigs and the sucking of the rising wind through the creaking trees. Darkness was on it’s inevitable way and he marched on…thinking about Rachel and his two friends.
“So bloody typical” he said aloud.
“So bloody typical…and why me? And you can shut up”, he shouted…at what he assumed was a fox amongst the trees.

Steve pressed two glasses down onto the new Auto-Washer…and sighed an Irish sigh. “To be honest, love”  he said to the girl at the bar, “We don’t see too much of him now, you know” He shook the glasses and grasped two more. “Pops in from time to time, occasionally. Why d’ya ask?”
“Ah, nothing too important. He said he’d help me with my stories, that’s all. It was a while back anyway”
“Oh yeah” Steve’s eyebrows were raised in friendly interest “I’ve seen him writing in here…always carrying a book around…what’s his stuff like, then?”
Rachel finished a sip of her fruit-juice “It’s all very…well….”   she smiled sympathetically like she was thinking about a misguided child
“depressing really…black metaphors…deep emotional traumas”
“Oh really”
“Yeah….I’ve only read three of them…he sent them to me….with a few other…er…gifts”
Steve wondered why she stressed it that way….as if she disapproved of what Andy had sent. He decided not to ask.
She wrinkled the soft skin of her forehead. “Perhaps, one day, his stories will have a happy ending”

Steve nodded. “Quite a dark horse then?” and his attention was distracted by a busty girl in a white leather jacket, waving an empty glass at him. Rachel could see that the girl had a tight and white leather mini-skirt to match. And shoes relative.
The outside door opened noisily, causing Irish Steve, Rachel and the hide-white girl to look over.
“They might know where Andy is” Steve suggested, pointing a lazy finger at the new arrivals.
Chris sat Rego down at the table below the notice-board and sauntered to the bar in an unsuccessful attempt to appear sober.
“Yo, Steve” He fumbled in his pockets, pulled out a clutch of coins and picked at them in his opened hand.
Steve poured a drink and asked “Have you seen Andy, like, today?”
Chris adapted his mind to the question “Yeahuhh…we seen him at Drakes….down the road”
“Really” said Rachel “Is he still there?”
Chris swung round to face the girl “Nope…we soaked him in beer….he blew dodge”
“What’s that mean?”
“Left”
“Why did you do it?” she asked, concerned.
“I dunno…he’s getting’ married….I s’pose we did give him a rough time”
Steve cocked his head. “Getting married? Who to?”
“Rachel”
“I’m Rachel”
Steve and Chris looked at her in bewilderment. Rego was sick.
“I think somebody has some explaining to do” said Rachel.

Andy climbed the steps that led to the old hay-loft…the wooden slats growling under his weight. He squeezed through the half-open door and sank to the floor to gather his dark and shifting thoughts. “Is it bloody worth it?” he mused…tortured by his severe mental anguish.
He slumped against a clutch of hay and slowly, dramatically, unscrewed the lid of a bottle. He closed his eyes and tasted the first warm drop of sherry as it burned into his throat.

The sunlight filtered through the nets, illuminating tiny particles of dust in the air. Whilst chipping the cup with the teaspoon Rachel was reading one of Andy’s compositions. It was a streaming soliloquy really….or perhaps, she thought, a cynical epitaph? Whatever? It intrigued her.

AMBITION
My solitude stands in the way of my happiness in much the same way as my alcoholism stands in the way of my health. Drunken-ness is detrimental to my bodily performance, I know that, but I’ll still tread it’s hazy path until I find some other hypocrisy to master and to believe in. I must find a cause. A reason for being born to this planet and into this world of repetition. All men are equal in death and I often imagine that I am racing towards that unwelcome goal for the sheer satisfaction of being on every man’s level for a change. I need stimulation and motivation to do something noticeable and worthy, but, even with that design in mind I can see no gain in achievement whatsoever. If people speak of me two hundred years after my demise it makes me no happier in my present life. I have options. Be a man of ambition or just have another drink. Why does a man have to have aspirations when you consider that Shakespeare is no better off…now that he’s gone…than any other man? His toils have done nothing for him now. Presley could’ve stayed a truck-driver. No difference now. The hand of fate decreed that those men would do what they did..and fate is our destiny. So…if it is all so destined…then why have ambition? I’ll eradicate any feelings of status seeking ambition…and go for this next drink.
I play guitar. I write songs, stories and poetry and I sing.
I laugh a lot and I cry frequently. I take up new hobbies on a regular basis and I change my job when I change my mind because I am in pursuit of my kudos. Why do I do this when I am aware of the futility of life? The certainty of death’s deliverance to oblivion. Why did my guiding planet mess me up so much and make me so Goddam lonely? How come I love the ones that don’t love me and repel the ones that do? Is it because my guide ordained that I should be unhappy? A rejected, dejected person who hates the way of his existence but has no hankering to amend it.

Unlucky Fried Kitten are playing at Earls in Maidstone tonight…2nd october 2008
It is also Rio Fraser’s birthday. Rio is the band’s videographer….and she is giving up her birthday for her duty to Unlucky Fried Kitten.
Unlucky Fried Kitten are:
Andy Export….singer
Justin Strangeways….guitar and vocals
UFK will be showcasing their new song
“YOUR NUMBERS ARE A LIE”
SetList:
SHOOTING STAR
SCRAP METAL
PEOPLE
LOSERVILLE
BABY BLUE
YOUR NUMBERS ARE A LIE
MADE IN RUSSIA

Unlucky Fried Kitten are playing with Shoot The Moone and Cellar 170 and Monday Street on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at The Zebra Bar in Maidstone, Kent…South East England.

Unlucky Fried Kitten are playing with Shoot The Moone and Cellar 170 and Monday Street on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at The Zebra Bar in Maidstone, Kent…South East England.

Unlucky Fried Kitten are playing with Shoot The Moone and Cellar 170 and Monday Street on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at The Zebra Bar in Maidstone, Kent…South East England.

Unlucky Fried Kitten are playing with Shoot The Moone and Cellar 170 and Monday Street on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at The Zebra Bar in Maidstone, Kent…South East England.

Unlucky Fried Kitten are playing with Shoot The Moone and Cellar 170 and Monday Street on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at The Zebra Bar in Maidstone, Kent…South East England.

Unlucky Fried Kitten are playing with Shoot The Moone and Cellar 170 and Monday Street on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at The Zebra Bar in Maidstone, Kent…South East England.

The UFK Dollshouse was set up by Andy Export and Rio Fraser in August 2007.

The UFK Dollshouse is a holding group for an array of bands including the founding band, Unlucky Fried Kitten, from Maidstone. Unlucky Fried Kitten were formed in 1995 by Andy Export. Other bands in the UFK Dollshouse include The Cemetery Gaes, V2086, The Bolans, I Am A Spider, Death In Venice, Harmonika Lewinsky, The Cinzano Slagz and Mickey Apples.

The UFK Dollshouse has a library for the lyrics, a gallery for the photographs, a music room for the live footage and a DJ Booth for the audio.

unlucky fried kitten

Andy Fraser, legendary bassist and hits writer for FREE (All Right Now) Robert Palmer (Every Kinda People) Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, and so many others has done it again for Barrack. This song is lighting up radio stations with it’s simplicity, infectious beat and lyrics that are on message.

Watch the video –

Free mp3 download – http://www.andyfraser.com/obama08.html