Well we did the trio thing for two years. It was alright. I had to work harder but hard work is my lot in life anyway.

So one night, we finished rehearsing at our regular secret location in Sarf Lundun and I decide to take a look at the noticeboard. There's a handwritten notice from a guitarist listing stuff I like, so I did the decent thing and removed it before someone else saw it and it corrupted them. You know the coup, people!

I left it about three weeks then I contacted the notice writer. I tell him that he could do worse than join us one evening and jam. He was gratious enough to come along and found that he wasn't allowed to leave!

His name is Lucas Moreira and as time passes you'll know more about him. I suppose... no, definitely!

We're sounding even better (well I'm biased)...

The Lloydster

Y'all must be wondering what happened to this band called Monolux.

Sometimes I wonder...

We had a cautious start, then started the gigging in earnest, then retreated, changed and are taking baby steps back again.

So looking back what were the highs and lows?

Highest high - Martin Wrigley joining the band
Highs - Turning Clive Road into our Abbey Road. Real growth in being a band and learning a bit more craft. Performing at The Clapham Grand; at Oxjam; at The Hope & Anchor and at The Comedy Pub to perfect strangers who loved what we do. Our friends still turning out for us.
Lowest low - founder member Mark Baker stepping down.
Lows - Getting ripped off by a studio owner whilst recording a new EP. Thank you Phil Hall for doing such a good job rescuing what we managed to salvage from the wreckage.

Well... we are where are and this year we'd like to record 'the album', so we need to raise the funds for that. Donations would be gratefully received in exchanged for limited edition signed copies of the album and a dedication on the album sleeve notes. Maybe we can work something out...

Looking forward to good things this year.

Lloydie

that the world is completely nuts. At the weekend, a suicide bomber managed to snuff out over 130 lives, plus his own. over in Iraq; here in Britain, some random 16 year old is gunned down, murdered, in front of 300 witnesses at an ice skating rink in London and; a 15 year old is stabbed to death by a 17 year old and it's all so farking common that we are inured to it! There seems to be a certain growing beastliness to the human psyche that used to lurk below the surface, but now feels the need to show itself at every given opportunity. I'm f*kking sick of it....
Are the two UK incidents all about 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T'? Our leaders like to pass this around like so much verbal currency, without understanding the full scope of that word. That word come down to the beholder's perspective. If you're a complete idiot, it means that you perceive that someone has slighted you, therefore they will pay for the error of their ways with their life. Emptying the contents of a gun in someone or plunging a knife into someone's body, does not garner respect, but it is excellent at getting attention and spreading fear. We tend to attempt to remove the things we fear, with extreme prejudice. So think on...
I can remember a time when respect was what you gave to those who have earned it, through teaching, guidance or inspiration (among other things), but never through the appliance fear or terror (a subset of fear).
Like I said... I'm sick of it.
I've vented now.

Lloyd

'Whereas London sleepwalks reluctantly in stunned silence, Bangkok jolts to life like a child who has just received a pellet gun for christmas. '                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                 - 7am, first morning in Bangkok.


'After scrambling for bags thrown off the overnight bus from Bangkok to Surat Thani, we are ordered into the crude neon of an overly bright room for this time of night. "The Beach" is playing on the TV over the bar selling 'scram eggs on tost'. It seems once Hollywood has captured 'the scene' of a place, all that is left is to play the characters, and the Thai's seem to be striving for oscars as directors. As we are marched to the backs of pick-ups which will take us to our idyllic island of choice, it occurs to me that the playing of "The Beach" in the bar is a big middle finger to us fanangs: we've seen the film, we've MADE the T-shirt - "Do you want buy? I make you discount?" - now we know the score, we'll direct you to our pre-fabricated paradise; just follow the rules.'  
                                                                                                                                 - 6am, transferring buses for ferry to Ko Lanta island


'Beer chang is 6.5% and costs 50p. The sunset shines through the bottle as it rests on my stomach. The beach is deserted. Just me, my beer and these thoughts. All is forgiven.'                     
                                                                                                                                    - dusk, Ko Lanta island.


mark.

So why is it that I have yet another cold?

Answers by email please....

lloydie

Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...

It's great fun to hum a choon, isn't it?

Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm...

lloydie x

Fifth gig.

Cor!

What a night. Friday 20th October 2006 will stay with us a while. We were overwhelmed by the support of friends and family. We just hope that we did everyone proud.

Amazing...

You guys are great.

Wow!!

What a night (and day!)

We rehearsed on Friday night, running through the set a couple of times, then stepped away from the instruments to indulge in a contemplative tipple before heading homewards.

The day of the gig started out with rain, which didn't clear until we set out for the venue. When we got there (17:00), it wasn't open and they wouldn't let us in because they were 'vacuuming'. They clearly adhere to the old adage that 'cleanliness is next to Godliness...'

When we finally lugged all the gear up (yes. stairs!) and set up and started the soundcheck, Susan's snare broke (for those who do not have an instrumental bent, that is the part of a snare drum that makes it sound somewhat different to all the other drums. The snare drum normally delivers the main time keeping beat. No, it is not a device made to trap small animals when hunting...). Thank God it broke during soundcheck and not the gig. 

After running repairs, Lunatic Crash soundchecked (they are so awesome. We love them to bits!!) followed by the Never Nevers. That out of the way, all that was left was to get some food. Whoever sent up that plate of food to us, many thanks. We don't know who you are, but you're a very nice person...

Before we knew it, people started arriving, filtering in downstairs. Upstairs in the gig room, IT WAS HOT. VERY HOT. No bar staff either. Very disconcerting. After some desperate pleading, the bar was opened and the air conditioning switched on, making for a far more pleasant experience.

The Never Nevers started playing a very good set, delivering their tight pop/rock songs to a really nice, warm audience. They did experience a couple of technical difficulties, but put them to one side to really entertain everyone. We just want to say 'well done!' to them.

21:50 and Lunatic Crash get on stage. They never let a crowd down. they played a blistering set and no doubt shifted a goodly amount of cds to boot! We hope that among our friends, they have found a new fanbase. Thank you LC. You always rock and we love you deeply!

Bit scary following Lunatic Crash onstage, but you know what they say, 'in for a penny, in for a pound...'

What can I say? 

We are truly blessed. So many friends and family came to support us. Thank you. Even people I used to work with in my previous job came. Unannounced. Thank you Calvin (and friends), Ray (and best friend), Sandy (and friends). Kelly, you made it too. Thank you so much. All of us have special thank yous to send out to everyone and we will make sure that happens. To see such support from so many who said they would come is wonderful. As I said at the end of the set, without the support of our friends, we don't have a gig.

Carl, Stan, David, Sarah, Errol, Stacia, Steve, Toni, Cousin Tony, The Matanias (and friends), The Whittemores (and friend), Graham Goodwin, Allen Osbourn, Chris and Simone, Sue and Des, Lisa (and friends), Big Phil Hall, Mark Harvey. The list just goes on! I better stop before I further dissapoint those I haven't listed. I want to thank those who couldn't make it, but sent messages of support. We know you were there in spirit. Thank you Felix for your amazing footage of the gig. It was lovely to meet you and Phillipa.

"What of the actual gig?" I hear you say. Well... it started out well and ended amazingly!

It was very hot onstage and the spotlight ensured that it was very difficult to see the faces of the audience. We started out with, 'Loving You (Through Gritted Teeth)' and it felt good. We were comfortable and that was down to audience support. No technical problems. Thank you Tom for pointing out that I had left the delay pedal on when I thought I had switched it off and for handing back my plectrum after I dropped it (sweaty fingers).

'Blood Is Thicker Than Water' went over very well and did a good job at the encore.

So many people were so kind after the gig and we want to thank them and a special thanks to Tony Crisp (just accept it, Dude!), Tom Del Rio (you always deliver!), Allen and Bev (thanks for your hospitality), Cousin Tony (always there. Love you to death and elated to be Best Man for you in December), Lisa Rooke (I know you've had a rotten time lately, so to come to our gig is deep love. Thank you).

I could go on for hours. I would like to make very special thank yous to Robin ("Shiver me timbers!!" I love you mate. You just keep me so centred with your warmth, bass and karma), Susan (thank for everything you do, your level head, organisation, advice and your fantastic drumming. Love you, lady!) and me old mucker Mark (without you, musically, there's no point, mate. You are inspiration and like a brother. Thank you.)

End.

Lloydie x

Finally thanks to my special ladies, wifey Anne and my 'babies' Carly and Nathalie. Everything I do... you make it happen

Visiting Rome tomorrow. My second time. Wife and daughters are gonna love it. Two days there, then two days at a wedding about 100 or so miles from Naples, followed by ten days in Sorrento. nice one. Will be taking the Beatles book written by Geoff Emerick 'Here, There And Everywhere' and going to re-read my very old and shabby copy of Phillip Norman's 'Shout!' Fascinating stuff. 
When we return, it's gonna be intense rehearsals for the gig. really looking forward to the gig. Can't wait!
Changed my guitar strings yesterday and gave the guitar a bit of a polish. the body chemistry (for that, read 'sweat') is tarnishing all the shiny bits quite nicely. hmmm.
got some new songs in the pipeline, but 100% concentration on the setlist for the gig. As soon as that is done, we need to record a new demo and refine the new material and play it live.

Ciao for now...

lloydie

you gotta be on myspace. You just gotta!!!

OK, well... we are 

http://www.myspace.com/monolux

and I've started to populate that site, but I love this site. It's like a precious child. Now I've got  twice the work, but I guess we'll get a broader reach?

I don't need this extra burden, you know...

lloydie