GOD MACHINE

This album has certainly been a long time in the making. The band started working on tracks for the album back in early 2000 working on simple demos using a four track while they were on tour. The band were keen to record the album in thier home town of Swansea largely because they were all working and it was far more convenient to do sessions at the weekend and after work. The band originally planned to get into the old Mighty Shack studio around August time, but the band hit a couple of setbacks as first Cliff and then Tim both broke their arms, both in unrelated footballing incidents. This put the schedule back by two months, however another problem then arose. Mighty Atom then had to relocate the studios to its current location in the BBC building in Swansea. Problems with sound isolation and accoustic treatment meant thhis move took significantly longer than expected. As a result it was not until January 2001 that the band finally got into the studio to start work on tracks for the album.

Initially the band worke`d on 9 tracks. Cliff came down from London for two week long sessions which saw the bulk of the drums and istrumentation for the songs recorded. Of the 9 songs three were already in the live set, so the arrangements were already well worked. These were pretty quick to record. The other six tracks existed only as demos on the 4-tracks and still needed a good deal of work to write and arrange. The band spent three weeks in the studio in January and February working on the songs with Cliff down from London for most of that time.

The band then saw a break from the studio while contractual issues with Beggars Banquet were resolved and the band signed a new deal with Mighty Atom. They returned to the studio in May less London member Cliff who decided to quit the band due to personal commitments in London. Further overdubs were recorded for most of the tracks as well as recording two new tracks to complete the line up for the album. Here's a beakdown of the tracks:

Jihad
This may well be the opener on the album and kicks off the theme running through the album. A great heavy track in the tradition of Revolution and Stuffed. Look out for the eastern style guitar in the break. Sounds very "sitar" but is in fact just Tim on his normal electric.

Stanislaw
This song was written pretty much in the studio around a loop that Cliff ahd put together back in London. We basically recorded a whole lot of variations on the loop and then arranged them in Soundscape to produce the finnished arngement. Ish came up with the title of the song and then had to figure out what it meant. A quick trawl on the internet opened up a whole series of ideas for the lyrics in the song.

All Of Myself
Quite a poppy number this which will likely be the first single release from the album. The track was recorded in June this year after Cliff quit the band. The drums were played by Rod from Goatboy.

Mary Jones
This track was initially recorded in January and February but lay dormant waiting for inspiration until July this year. Joe picked up the basics of the track and working with Ish and Twink the three have crafted a gem of a tune here.

Cover My Eyes
Second of the tracks recorded in June this year with Rod on drums. Again, this is one of the more 'commercial' tunes on the album. The track has some great vocal lines and harmonies.

Where Is Your Saviour?
A much slower song written on the 4-track by Ish and Twink. The song is built around a series of drone like keyboard riffs with a massive build towards the end.

Broadside
This is a track the band have been palying live for some time. As a result in the studio it was laid down pretty much live. There was just a few guitar overdubs and Ish's vocals to add. This is a big heavy track, one of my personal favourites.

Father Forgive Me
Quite a poppy number this one. With a bouncy drum beat built using a combination of looped and live drums it bounces through all two and a half minutes leaving the chorus stuck in your head for days afterwards.

Idle Hands
Again largely arranged in the studio, the track was written by Ish and Twink on the 4-track whilst on tour. The drums are a combination of drum loops and live drums laid down by Cliff.

Head Of David
Another track the band were already well practiced with, and again recorded pretty much live.

1942
This songs starts off slow and builds throughout the song to a massive sound at the end. Its got a huge drum sound towards the end which was recorded in the big hall at Mighty Atom which worked really well for the crescendo.

God Machine is released on 8th October 2001. We are currently confirming details for a launch night for the album as a kick off to the tour.

Contact Roger Hopkins on 01792 476567
email: roger@mightyatom.co.uk

The Liberty 37website at www.liberty37.com