Bug Prentice

Tim Smith benefit at Brixton Windmill, Feb 3rd

Ally — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:58:19 +0000

I am delighted to announce that there will be a night worthy of laudation to benefit Cardiacs mastermind Tim Smith, taking place at the Brixton Windmill on Friday 3rd February 2012. For those of you who don’t know, Tim suffered a heart attack following one of the My Bloody Valentine gigs he attended back in 2008. This was followed by not 1 but 2 debilitating strokes. Fans and friends alike have been organising benefits to help contribute towards the costly care that Tim needs. So please, attend our evening so we can do a little towards helping raise funds for this plucky lad.

The lineup includes the following illustrious acts: William D. Drake and band, Barringtone (ex-Clor), The Trudy, Ham Legion, Bug Prentice, and Claire Lemmon (Sidi Bou Said). The DJ for the evening will be Knifeworld frontman and former Cardiacs guitarist Kavus Torabi.

£8 in advance (click me)
£10 on the night

Friday 3rd February 2011
The Windmill
22 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, London, SW2 5BZ
http://windmillbrixton.co.uk/listings/
windmill@yahoo.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 8671 0700

Buy tickets direct from the Windmill, and invite your friends with our facebook event page.

All proceeds go directly towards providing for Tim’s care and recovery.

Oxjam Oxford Takeover

Ally — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:20:01 +0000

Ally and Ruth will be playing at Modern Art Oxford tonight as part of Oxjam Oxford Takeover. For the full line-up, visit the official website.

New demo: Spoons

Ally — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:48:22 +0000

I recorded this demo yesterday, using my new bass guitar. One day it will become a Bug Prentice track, where Ruth will play it much better than I did. Until then, enjoy.

New demo: Moustache

Ally — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:39:00 +0000

A lo-fi little demo not to be taken at all seriously. Inspired by this clip from People’s Court, I wrote this song a while ago and promptly forgot all about it until today, when I found the guitar parts saved somewhere on my computer. I quickly recorded the vocal, mixed it and uploaded it for your pleasure / derision.

Big Cat

Ally — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:05:31 +0000

Big Cat is a jazz improv group led by Bug Prentice bassist Ruth Goller, also featuring James Allsopp, Kit Downes and Tim Giles. Here’s a live recording to stick in your ears.

New demo: The Bucket

Ally — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:12:33 +0000

My latest demo combines my usual guitar/vocal schtick with programmed drums and synths.

Reheated @ Cafe Tarifa, Oxford

Ally — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:41:33 +0000

I will be playing a solo set for Gappy Tooth and Swiss Concrete’s Reheated at Cafe Tarifa (Cowley Road, Oxford) on Saturday. It was originally planned as a Winter Warmer in December, but was cancelled due to snow. Admission is free, and other acts include Samuel Zasada, Huffenpuff and Anton Barbeau. For more info and full lineup, visit the Gappy Tooth site.

Loyal Companion Sold Out

Ally — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:41:54 +0000

The limited edition Leader of the Starry Skies – A Loyal Companion is now sold out. For those who were too slow to pick up a copy, you can now hear the Bug Prentice contribution right here:

Bug Prentice – My Trademark

The main album, Leader of the Starry Skies – A Tribute to Tim Smith: Songbook 1, is now on its second pressing and still very much available. A double-LP on 180g vinyl is up for pre-order now, and will be released on April 18th. Steven Wilson and Oceansize will also release their contributions as a double A-sided single for this year’s Record Store Day.

Proceeds from all of these sales go towards Cardiacs frontman Tim Smith, who suffered a severe stroke in 2008. His care has already been greatly improved by the money raised. Long may it continue.

Backwards on the Radio

Ally — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:27:55 +0000

Recently we have received some strange comments about our music. While we do have a soft spot for unusual time signatures and dissonant chords, I don’t consider Bug Prentice especially “difficult.” So I was surprised when Stephen McCleod wrote that we “walk the line between genius and disaster” in his recent ArtRocker review of Nicholas Ray.

On Saturday evening, that very track was featured on BBC Oxford Introducing, as one of their Highlights of the Uploader. Once again we were accused of rampant experimentalism, with Sam King suggesting, “with a bit more structure and perhaps a little less experimentation, it could be a bit more easy to listen to.”

And then I heard the music they were discussing.

It was backwards.

Yes, I had accidentally uploaded a reversed version of the song, having made one in a moment of idle curiosity. After tweeting of my embarrassment, BBC Oxford Introducing presenter Dave Gilyeat was kind enough to reassure me that “a Bug Prentice track played backwards is better than over half the stuff we get sent.” He also agreed to play Nicholas Ray forwards on next week’s show.

.llew sdne taht llew s’llA

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Not Yet:
A new rough demo, which will eventually become a Bug Prentice track.

Don Van Vliet (1941-2010)

Ally — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:49:55 +0000

Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart

I was extremely saddened to hear that Don Van Vliet, better known as Captain Beefheart, passed away on December 17th 2010 at the age of 69. While I am a relative newcomer to Captain Beefheart & his Magic Band, their music has been my latest obsession and the soundtrack to my year.

Tom Waits said of Captain Beefheart, “Once you’ve heard him, it’s hard to wash him out of your clothes.” Beefheart will be sorely missed, but he will no doubt remain with us as an influence for years to come.