The Lowest of the Low

Hello,

Welcome to this weeks blog which features an interview with our bass player Colin, hence the title (it refers to him and not the notes he plays, but please don't tell him that).

Firstly there is just time to mention that on the 22nd we will be at A Steampunk Christmas Party in Wakefield with a host of quality steampunk bands and people. We hope to see you there.

And now, the aforementioned interview, Crimson Clocks would like to point out that the opinions expressed below are purely those of the the individual and are not representative of the band.

Name; Colin

Instrument; Bass

Tell me about your musical background;
I joined Crimson Clocks when they first formed as kazoo player, but was rapidly demoted to bass, although I have been told that if I am considered worthy, at some point I may be promoted to roadie. Fame and fortune are a mere lifetime away.

Who or what do you consider to be major influences on your music/playing?
One of the first bass lines I learned was Strutter by KISS, followed by about a dozen or so more of their songs so Gene Simmons, also Paul Simonon from The Clash (and more recently Gorillaz) - I really like the ska/reggae rhythms that he uses. Listening to John Paul Jones and Geezer Butler a lot has possibly also influenced how I play.

Favourite Bands/artists/composers - and why?
The Clash, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and KISS as mentioned above. Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures and Primus - I'm a bass player how could I not like Primus?. That also includes Les Claypool's other projects, I think he's kind of the Spike Milligan of music and varies between genius and a good kind of insanity. It's also the variety in what he does, if you listen to Amos Moses, Iowan Gal which he plays on a bass banjo and then Eclectic Electric there is a massive difference in style. He even did a slap bass version of Master of Puppets.

What interests do you have in addition to music?
Strength sports, so powerlifting, weightlifting and strongman competitions. I competed in powerlifting for years, but am just a spectator now. Also I have a love of steam engines and steam power generally, not to the level where I have in-depth knowledge, but I get a real kick out of standing next to them and watching, getting covered in little bits of soot is the only downside to it.

Any interesting facts or stories about yourself that you feel people need to know about about?
I mentioned powerlifting above, I've held British and European championship titles and broken three British records in that.


Luckily the interview ended at that point. Fear not though, it won't be repeated.

So that's all for this week folks, thanks for reading (assuming you made it through the interview unscathed), if you would like to contact us please do so through our Facebook page.

Until next time farewell...

Lord Kitchener Says....

Hello,

And welcome to this weeks edition of the blog. Currently we are in the midst of preparations for the Steampunk Christmas Party  at The Snooty Fox in Wakefield on the 22nd of December. We may even have a couple of new songs, and a special guest star joining us on stage. Apparently there is no truth in the rumour that The Snooty Fox is the very bar where a woman walked in, asked for a double entendre,  and the barman gave her one.

Following the Steampunk Christmas Party we will return to Birmingham for Christmas, only to re-emerge from Crimson Clock Tower in the New Year, just in time for our Glastonbudget audition at The Roadhouse on the 8th of January, thanks to those that have already offered their support on the evening.

Once again, thanks for reading and if you would like to comment or get in touch please do so via our Facebook page, until next time, farewell

December Comes....

Hello,

It's been another busy week at Crimson Clock Tower, new songs being written, breaking the ice off the beds in the morning, and considering lighting the fire - it is December after all. Even Quasar has got into the spirit of the winter and has taken up ice sculpting, so far he has managed to create three ice cubes.

This week we were again included in the Sounds of Steam broadcast, which can be found here, a very entertaining show from the guys including topics such as gaming from the Victorian era and steampunk gaming in the modern era.

We have also reached number 10 in the Reverbnation Other charts for Birmingham (UK), and would like to thank everyone for their support in making it happen.

Our next gig is of course A Steampunk Christmas Party on 22nd December with Steampunk Funk Bizarre with Lord Montague Jacques the 3rd, Birthrite and BB Black Dog and, rumour has it, another guest that is yet to be announced. Hopefully not Jacob Marley and his rattlin' chains. As ever our EP will be on sale at the gig, the perfect Christmas present, even if we do say so ourselves.

Our first gig of next year will be at The Roadhouse in Birmingham on the 8th January, this will be an audition for Glastonbudget and we would be most grateful for your support on the night. What better way to start the New Year and chase away the post Christmas blues? (apart from that, obviously).

Once again thanks for reading and until next time, farewell.

Wanna Know What Rocks?

Hello,

The answer to the question 'wanna know what rocks?' is of course, Crimson Clocks. I even managed to write that without reference to our lyricist or my terrible thesaurus (which could also be described as terrible).

During the week we could be heard on the Sounds of Steam podcast which can be found here. Not only did the show open with You're Gonna Get It, it also closed with Evil Genius. The show included a discussion on the finer points of being a man, and segments such as Drink de Jour, This Week in History and quite a few bands that may be familiar to you. Needless to say we were very grateful to have been included.

This week is a fairly quiet one for Crimson Clocks, however plans are afoot, and as soon as we are able  we will tell you everything we know (and make up the bits we don't know).

Once again, thanks for reading and until next time, farewell

Preparations Begin...

Hello,

And welcome to this weeks blog, following on from Steampunk at The Shed in Leicester last week we received a very nice review from Wartime Housewife in her blog, which can be found here and is greatly appreciated. What isn't appreciated this week is the return of the shapeshifting font once again.

Currently frantic preparations are underway for A Steampunk Christmas Party which will be at The Snooty Fox in Wakefield and is to be streamed live over the internet. On the bill are Crimson Clocks, Steampunk Funk Bizarre with Lord Monty Jacques III, Birthrite, and BB Black Dog. There is also one more act to be announced, speculation is rife, although Conrad Pooh's and his Dancing Teeth has already been ruled out.

So for the next few weeks at least, we are unable to go into hibernation and Crimson Clock Tower will be heated by the warmth of our feverish activity. Will we perform new material? Quite possibly, will we perform a Christmas Carol? No, neither of the musical variety nor that of Mr Dickens. Will a good time be had by all? Of Course, and will you be at the Party? Only you can provide the answer.  

Once again, thanks for reading and if you have any comments or would like to get in touch please do so via our facebook page until next time...

Farewell 

About Last Night

Hello,

The Shed in Leicester was the place to be last night.

Opening the show was ... us, yes Crimson Clocks in our sixth gig, with our trademark twisted lyrics and a small amount of smut, not to mention body parts flying through the air and lollipops.   

We were followed by another fine performance from Metropolis - if you haven't heard or seen them yet you really should take the chance to do so, they really are rather good.

Then Birthrite brought their usual fine music and style to the stage with a particularly energetic performance from Mr Voss.

Next it was the unstoppable Gladstone who were also joined on stage for two numbers by Mr Mike Bower from BB Black Dog. James Tilly Matthews and For Whom The Bell Tolls being the songs performed (excellently) on this occasion. It's not yet been confirmed if they are calling themselves BB Sherlocks Dog or not.  A big thank you to Gordon for organising the evening.

There were also fine traders there for the evening, if you missed it then you really did miss out.

So, Crimson Clocks next appearance will be at A Steampunk Christmas Party although if we play anywhere else between now and then you will, of course, be the first to know.

Again, thanks for reading, if you want to contact us please do so via our Facebook page, until next time, farewell

There's Something in The Shed....

Hello,

Last week I questioned where The Clocks would strike next, no doubt you have been holding your breath in anticipation since then. The answer can now be revealed, and you can breathe again (assuming you are talented enough to be able to hold your breath for a week).

On 10th November we will be at Steampunk in The Shed in Leicester, along with Metropolis, Gladstone and Birthrite, as if that wasn't enough there will also be traders, yes indeed!. Doors open at 7:30, and entry is a meager £6.00 on the door.

The facebook event page can be found here.

Following that we will then have a few weeks to prepare for the Steampunk Christmas Party at The Snooty Fox in Wakefield, alongside Steampunk Funk Bizzare with Lord Monty Jacques III, Birthrite and BB Black Dog. It all takes place on 22nd  December, the event page for this can be found here. The Christmas Party will also include tea duelling, market stalls and is one not to be missed.

Last week during rehearsal we were visited by an atom that had expressed an interest in our music (in the tiny squeaky voice that atoms have). The following day he was back at Crimson Clock Tower, asking if we had seen an electron he had lost while visiting. "Are you sure you've lost it?" he was asked, "Yes" came the reply "I'm positive".

One will now retrieve one's cloak.

As ever, if you want to comment or contact us please do so via our facebook page, thanks for reading, until next week, farewell