Hip Hip! HooRae!

It's safe to say that the Selling Mars book launch was a great success, a big thank you to Rae Gee for inviting us to perform at the event.

The evening began with a Crimson Clocks performance featuring a mashup of Mars from The Planet Suite by Gustav Holst and The Eve of The War from Jeff Waynes War of The Worlds. We should point out that any "jokes" told during our performance are strictly those of the individual and not representative of the sense of humour of Crimson Clocks as a group. Thanks also to those that came up to talk afterwards and said that they had enjoyed what we had done - it really does make it all worthwhile.

Rae Gee then took to the stage and gave a short reading from her excellent book Selling Mars, this being the second in the Veetu Industries. We highly recommend it and more details can be found here.

The mighty Birthrite then performed a brilliant set that saw many of the audience take to the dance floor and included classics such as Goodbye Happiness, and Heroes. It was a great end to what had been a fantastic night.

If you are wondering where you can see us next, we will be at the Second Annual Steampunk Solistice at The Pavillion, in Matlock Bath along with Birthrite and many other bands, we hope to see you there.

Leicester Literature Launch!

SOMEDAY 

 SPRAT    

The Nations Favourite Chip Wrapper

21st  April 2013

Crimson Clocks In Red Planet Shocker!!

The Sprat has discovered that highly regarded so called "steampunk" band Crimson Clocks have been linked to attempts to sell Mars, and we don't mean the confectionary. 

They, along with Birthrite, will be taking part in a night of what has been described as "Steampunk madness in the heart of Leicester". Are the poor residents of Leicester ready for this steampunk invasion? The Spratt has reason to think not. Our investigations have revealed that a few tickets for this event are still available on the internet, an underground source said "I am a mole, you dig?.". It has also come to our attention that high quality "Steampunk" literature will be changing hands at this event (the works of Rae Gee no less!). Will the poor citizens of Leicester get a chance to purchase this for themselves or will the horde of steampunks descending on Leicester like a plague of literature starved locusts purchase the entire stock? We suspect the latter may be the case. 

What of Crimson Clocks? What is their part in this? As ever, The Sprat has asked the questions that others fear to ask in an attempt to ensure our readership is fully informed with all of the facts. Where we don't have the facts we've been forced to rely on rumour and hearsay. Vivacious vocalist Linzi (21), from Birmingham, had this to say when we contacted her "Who is this? Do you have any idea what time it is?". Rockstars take note, The Sprat always wears a watch and requires answers not questions. Bass player Colin (93) said something when questioned, but no one (and that includes The Sprat) listens to bass players. Our attempts to contact Jo and Steve were both met with laughter and the sound of the phone being put down as soon as we were forced to admit we were indeed The Sprat.

Fear not though for The Spratt intends to be at the Selling Mars book launch, in disguise, inept and in over our head to bring you a full report after the event.

Late Breaking News!!

The Sprat has heard a whisper that Crimson Clocks will be on stage at Alt Fest 2014 also, in addition, as well as, and extra to that, they will be on stage at Raising Steam this September. Get your tickets before its too late!

We Has It, Yess...

We has the preciouss, yess. Keeper of the Door gives it to us when we gets there,  yess. Nice, kind Keeper of the Door, not tricksy like nasty hobbit, no. One ring that grants entry to all (that sounds a bit wrong I know, nevertheless onwards and upwards as they say).

If you missed The Day of The Dog then you really did miss out (and won't have a clue what the paragraph above is about). The day featured what was arguably the finest collection of steampunk and other bands ever amassed, including ourselves. We throughly enjoyed proceedings and it was great to meet up once again with folks that we see far too infrequently. Congratulations to Cas for organising such a fine and well run event and thanks to Ted for working his magic with the sound.

If you are currently hanging your head in shame, having missed our performance yesterday then fear not, all is not lost. Along with Birthrite we will be performing at the Selling Mars book launch in Leicester on 27th April, tickets are available here. The number of tickets is strictly limited, so be sure to get yours soon - the price also includes a goodie bag. Things kick off at 8:00 pm, it promises to be a great evening.

Sadly we have reached the end of this instalment, thanks for reading, and until next time, farewell.

Journeys End...

7 April  1813

Dearest Husband,

You will be pleased to learn that I have at last arrived in Matlock Bath and have put the sad incident in Derby behind me, although the case remains a mystery.

As I was preparing to leave Derby I was approached by a lady who enquired if she might share the journey with me. I was glad of the company and, following recent events, was rather doubtful about continuing the journey alone. And so the two of us together with what I took to be her manservant set out towards my destination. 

The manservant was in sharp contrast to the lady in that from her eyes shone a keen intellect, while his were rather dull, in addition while she was rather slim and elegant he resembled a slab of granite that had been squeezed into a suit and topped with a bowler hat. He appeared to be the kind of gentleman that could stroll through a brick wall without a pause in his stride, and not greatly troubled by having a conscience.

At first I felt glad of the protection he could clearly offer, I had overheard muttered conversations of a large hound in the area. Indeed, when people spoke of this black dog they became so nervous they developed a slight stammer. As the journey continued I became increasingly aware of an aura of malevolence about the pair. In fact our conversation lead me to the conclusion that the lady was power mad and intent on gaining wealth and position by use of a variety of unpleasant and devious schemes. 

After what seemed like an eternity we arrived in Matlock Bath and I parted company with the malevolent intellectual and her goon, not a moment too soon I might add. I now have less than a week to wait until I finally get to witness a Crimson Clocks performance. I may even get to meet the man that one day may be Prime Minister as I have heard that Gladstone will also be in attendance. I intend to spend the next few days exploring the thriving Metropolis that is Matlock Bath, the scenery here is magnificent. 

I remain, as ever, your loving wife

E C-S

2,332,800 Seconds to Selling Mars

Hello,

Welcome to this weeks blog, as the title suggests there are 2,332,800 seconds until the Selling Mars book launch, or at least that was the case when I began. At the launch (on 27th April)  you will be able to hear the sonic forces that are Crimson Clocks and Birthrite in addition to which the books Mars on The Rise and Selling Mars will be available for purchase. So that's good music and fine literature both readily available, as indeed are tickets which can be purchased here. 

Prior to the aforementioned spectacular we will be appearing, like a crimson wraith, at the Day of The Dog on 13th April in Matlock Bath. There will be a great line up of bands performing, and tickets can be obtained here. 

So that's two opportunities to experience a live Crimson Clocks performance during April, come along and help to spread the red (in a good way).

Thanks for reading, until next time farewell.

The Continuing Adventures....

24 March 1813

Dearest Husband,

As you know my plans were to stay in Derby for a few days to allow for repairs to the carriage to be completed. I regret to say, I am still at the hotel in Derby and am growing increasingly impatient to be on my way.

On the second night here there was a most unfortunate incident and, as a result, the local constabulary have asked all of the hotel guests to remain in the City until further notice. As you would expect I am not under any suspicion of wrong doing, but may have unwittingly witnessed something of importance although I can't see how that is possible. 

I was in the restaurant taking supper along with several other guests at the time of the incident, from the floor above the sound of a violin being played could be heard. Suddenly a female scream rang out, the violin music came to an abrupt halt and then came the sound of something hitting the floor rather heavily. Various gentlemen from nearby tables jumped to their feet and hurried from the restaurant and up the stairs, obviously seeking to provide assistance, and I followed with the same intention.

When we reached the room from which the noise had issued it was locked from within, a member of the hotel staff was nearby, they quickly unlocked the door and we rushed in. What I saw will remain in my memory for some time, lying on the floor was a very pale looking lady with what appeared to be a bite mark on her neck. She was quite clearly dead. Next to her on the floor was a violin, scarlet in colour, it lay in stark contrast to the pale skin of the unfortunate lady next to it. 

Naturally the Police were quick to arrive at the scene and the Inspector interviewed everyone in the building. He has confided in me that he is somewhat baffled, it seems that the unfortunate lady had been exsanguinated, but how that had happened in the moments between her scream and our entry into the room is beyond explanation. The Inspector has his task made more difficult in that the entire incident took place in a locked room - there are no suspects.

I hope to leave for Matlock Bath very soon and put this unpleasant business behind me, perhaps you were right and I should have travelled by airship after all.

I remain, as ever, your loving wife

E C-S

Further Correspondence of Lady Cog-Sprocket

17 March  1813

Dearest Husband,

My quest to witness a Crimson Clocks performance continues. As you know, I had arranged for a carriage to Matlock Bath, thus far my journey from Birmingham has been somewhat slower than I had originally anticipated.

 The carriage left Birmingham as planned, and we had expected to reach Derby for an overnight stay well before nightfall. However, as we travelled along a lane on the outskirts of Tutbury the coach gave a terrible jolt and we were brought to a rather sudden stop. We had encountered a rather deep hole, no doubt caused by the recent bad weather, and as a result one of the wheels now had several cracked spokes. Fortunately the driver and his assistant had the materials and tools to repair the damage, although darkness had fallen and it had begun to pour with rain before they had completed the task. 

Just after sunset, as the repair was nearing completion, we heard a multitude of raised voices coming down the lane towards us. A rather large group of people passed us by, some with knives in their hands while others carried fire-lit brands, they were clearly angry about something and yelled to us to "Look out!" so we made certain to keep out of their way as they passed. I can assure you that they meant us no harm, their anger was quite clearly directed elsewhere. I watched the light from their torches recede as they made their way toward the castle at the top of the hill. I feel sure that whoever their anger was directed towards was certainly going to get it, I would not have wanted to be in that persons shoes.

Once the repair was completed we set off once again, and arrived in Derby without further incident. The carriage is to undergo a full repair before we can recommence our journey and so I am to spend a few days in Derby - more delay and you are well aware of my impatience, but you may rest assured that I am safe and well. 

I remain, as ever, your loving wife

E C-S