Dear follower
I'm sure with the doom and gloom in the news, a lack of updates from The Smoking Jackets added to the global panic and despair, but not to worry, we are still alive.
Autumn has arrived with its nostalgic aroma of bonfires, wet leaves and muddy playing fields. Sadly the childish fad of 'Trick or Treat' is also upon us. We suggest retiring to a room at the back of the house and not opening the door to layabouts or assume that the grotty snifflings are asking you a question to which you answer 'Treat please' and await your prize.
Despite the change in weather, we are feeling rather summery and after the lavish reworking of Japan's 'Ghosts' in a reggae feelgood manner, we aim to capture a latin feel with some of our next covers. We will of course counter this with some gloomier versions of other songs to avoid being typecast. Rumours of a Depeche Mode cover have been hitting the streets and gossip sites...
Updates to the music available here will take place in the last week of October.
Other news:
Paolo has just finished a cup of green tea with jasmine from Whittard's of Chelsea.
Fifi is making a Christmas list for Santa.
Monday 6 October 2008
Tuesday 26 August 2008
High jinks and high tea!
Teacups and saucers and fruitcake and doughnuts
Bunting and salmon and cigars a bonus
Scones laced with whipped cream and strawberry wings
These are a few of our favourite things!
Oh, and despite all this we had time to record some music, some of which you can listen to here
Bunting and salmon and cigars a bonus
Scones laced with whipped cream and strawberry wings
These are a few of our favourite things!
Oh, and despite all this we had time to record some music, some of which you can listen to here
Friday 22 August 2008
The Smoking Jackets, reading, this weekend
What larks! Did you think that we were to play the Reading festival? Your heart all of a flutter as you realised you did not have a ticket?
Well, you are wrong. We just thought we'd update you with what we will be reading this weekend...
Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis'...Blyton's 'Five go to Billycock hill'... a poor excuse for a newspaper lying on a relative's table... chord sequences and lyrics to several well-known hits.
We may actually get round to recording some music.
Next year: Guffaws a-plenty as you imagine us about to perform at V festival when actually we're watching the DVD boxset of the sci-fi series from the 1980s of the same name!
Well, you are wrong. We just thought we'd update you with what we will be reading this weekend...
Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis'...Blyton's 'Five go to Billycock hill'... a poor excuse for a newspaper lying on a relative's table... chord sequences and lyrics to several well-known hits.
We may actually get round to recording some music.
Next year: Guffaws a-plenty as you imagine us about to perform at V festival when actually we're watching the DVD boxset of the sci-fi series from the 1980s of the same name!
Wednesday 13 August 2008
Your questions answered
Q. 'Is it true that there is a rift within The Smoking Jackets and that you have not been in contact with each other this past fortninght?' - Jonathan, Ipswich
A. There is no truth whatsoever in this 'rift' story. One of the Jackets has been on a holiday to ancient lands, gaining insight and inspiration to assist the forthcoming recording, as well as spreading the word to the locals.
Q. 'I am tired of waiting for material to surface. Kindly put some music online or I will delete you from my friends list' - Rory King, myspace
A. Have patience dear boy. The Smoking Jackets are more than just music. They can be viewed as doctrine in social reform, or of guidance in etiquette and style. The Smoking Jackets are aware of the instant demandings of an online audience however do not wish to prematurely ejaculate all over cyberspace. The music will appear in due course.
Q. 'I have heard a rumour that you are planning to cover Bananarama. Is this true? I hope not. I hate them.' - Rupert, by telegram
A. That particular act have not been considered at present, but The Smoking Jackets will not rule out any cover version for possible recording in the future.
Q. Do you actually exist or are you a fictional band? - Martha, Runcorn
A. The Smoking Jackets are very much real.
A. There is no truth whatsoever in this 'rift' story. One of the Jackets has been on a holiday to ancient lands, gaining insight and inspiration to assist the forthcoming recording, as well as spreading the word to the locals.
Q. 'I am tired of waiting for material to surface. Kindly put some music online or I will delete you from my friends list' - Rory King, myspace
A. Have patience dear boy. The Smoking Jackets are more than just music. They can be viewed as doctrine in social reform, or of guidance in etiquette and style. The Smoking Jackets are aware of the instant demandings of an online audience however do not wish to prematurely ejaculate all over cyberspace. The music will appear in due course.
Q. 'I have heard a rumour that you are planning to cover Bananarama. Is this true? I hope not. I hate them.' - Rupert, by telegram
A. That particular act have not been considered at present, but The Smoking Jackets will not rule out any cover version for possible recording in the future.
Q. Do you actually exist or are you a fictional band? - Martha, Runcorn
A. The Smoking Jackets are very much real.
Monday 4 August 2008
Mobile phones and children
Greetings, Paolo here
Having had a delightful meal out yesterday afternoon (Welsh beef and yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings if you're interested) I must say the experience was tarnished somewhat by two things. If you have read the title then I imagine you know what they are...
Using a mobile phone in any public place is the height of rudeness, never mind a restaurant. Can communication not be made discreetly with a message from one's valet? I recognise that the telegram is sadly no longer in fashion but surely if one receives a call then they should leave the table rather than subject the entire room to their nonsensical conversation. Let this be a warning to any fans who dare to bring in such gadgets to our shows...
As for children, well the modern breed are not all 'sweetness and light'. There is a lack of manners everywhere but this is inexcusable at the dinner table. One girl was bought a pudding despite not eating her dinner. Another was free to roam around and distract other diners with various hummings and spinning actions. I have heard tales of children being provided with what I believe are called portable DVD players to keep them quiet in restaurants. No wonder our nation has gone to the dogs.
Having had a delightful meal out yesterday afternoon (Welsh beef and yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings if you're interested) I must say the experience was tarnished somewhat by two things. If you have read the title then I imagine you know what they are...
Using a mobile phone in any public place is the height of rudeness, never mind a restaurant. Can communication not be made discreetly with a message from one's valet? I recognise that the telegram is sadly no longer in fashion but surely if one receives a call then they should leave the table rather than subject the entire room to their nonsensical conversation. Let this be a warning to any fans who dare to bring in such gadgets to our shows...
As for children, well the modern breed are not all 'sweetness and light'. There is a lack of manners everywhere but this is inexcusable at the dinner table. One girl was bought a pudding despite not eating her dinner. Another was free to roam around and distract other diners with various hummings and spinning actions. I have heard tales of children being provided with what I believe are called portable DVD players to keep them quiet in restaurants. No wonder our nation has gone to the dogs.
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Interview with Paolo
Interview by Lady Copthorne
Paolo, one half of the up and coming pop duo The Smoking Jackets approaches my table in the Chester branch of a well-known coffee chain with a look of distaste. I wonder if it is my choice in clothing. The Smoking Jackets have a reputation for sartorial elegance and unlike normal interviews I did make more of an effort before I left the house. It is true that my burlesque uniform of red and white polka dots pales in comparison to his almost Edwardian paisley and herringbone. My fears are allayed however as I later find out his displeasure is a result of the lack of choice in tea behind the counter. After a brief attack on the surge in coffee-themed outlets and a nostalgic notion that tearooms should be more prominent in society we decide to focus on The Smoking Jackets.
Despite not having any songs available for the public to hear, there is a dedicated online following. You are covering old songs so what do you think is the appeal of The Smoking Jackets?
I think there is a lack of intelligence among the current crop of bands. Weaknesses have been covered up through production for years and the public are tired of this. Everything sounds the same, and even those supposedly traditional guitar bands are inferior to those who influenced them. While we are not currently focusing on writing our own material, we are reminding people of the past by replicating the song, not the style. We thoroughly deplore the modern and are not surprised to see other people feel the same. What we offer conceptually is not new. Mark Ronson has proved successful with covers, but again he is masked in production. There is no personality there.
What covers are you hoping to record?
We have daily arguments between meals as to what we will take on. Initially we thought we’d focus on the 1980’s but that seems to be the objective of every act at the moment. We have therefore opened ourselves up and there are no limits.
In what style will you record these covers?
Again, there are no limits. We have discussed a capella, lounge jazz, synth pop. I am not going to reveal too much but I can whet the appetite by saying that we did a breathy, ethereal version of Duran Duran’s ‘Planet Earth’ as an experiment. This will probably not make the album.
I think the question all fans want to ask is ‘when can we hear some of your music?’
We haven’t been lazy. There have been some rumours of leaked mp3’s, of Fifi’s partying and whether we are focusing on image rather than music. However, when the music is available that will put pay to this hearsay. In answer to your question, I imagine there will be music on our myspace by the end of August.
Paolo, one half of the up and coming pop duo The Smoking Jackets approaches my table in the Chester branch of a well-known coffee chain with a look of distaste. I wonder if it is my choice in clothing. The Smoking Jackets have a reputation for sartorial elegance and unlike normal interviews I did make more of an effort before I left the house. It is true that my burlesque uniform of red and white polka dots pales in comparison to his almost Edwardian paisley and herringbone. My fears are allayed however as I later find out his displeasure is a result of the lack of choice in tea behind the counter. After a brief attack on the surge in coffee-themed outlets and a nostalgic notion that tearooms should be more prominent in society we decide to focus on The Smoking Jackets.
Despite not having any songs available for the public to hear, there is a dedicated online following. You are covering old songs so what do you think is the appeal of The Smoking Jackets?
I think there is a lack of intelligence among the current crop of bands. Weaknesses have been covered up through production for years and the public are tired of this. Everything sounds the same, and even those supposedly traditional guitar bands are inferior to those who influenced them. While we are not currently focusing on writing our own material, we are reminding people of the past by replicating the song, not the style. We thoroughly deplore the modern and are not surprised to see other people feel the same. What we offer conceptually is not new. Mark Ronson has proved successful with covers, but again he is masked in production. There is no personality there.
What covers are you hoping to record?
We have daily arguments between meals as to what we will take on. Initially we thought we’d focus on the 1980’s but that seems to be the objective of every act at the moment. We have therefore opened ourselves up and there are no limits.
In what style will you record these covers?
Again, there are no limits. We have discussed a capella, lounge jazz, synth pop. I am not going to reveal too much but I can whet the appetite by saying that we did a breathy, ethereal version of Duran Duran’s ‘Planet Earth’ as an experiment. This will probably not make the album.
I think the question all fans want to ask is ‘when can we hear some of your music?’
We haven’t been lazy. There have been some rumours of leaked mp3’s, of Fifi’s partying and whether we are focusing on image rather than music. However, when the music is available that will put pay to this hearsay. In answer to your question, I imagine there will be music on our myspace by the end of August.
Monday 28 July 2008
Introduction
Good afternoon to you.
We are The Smoking Jackets, a pop duo from a rural location that we would prefer not to name at this stage.
You can find out more about us on our myspace page - www.myspace.com/thesmokingjackets
We will update you whether fan, admirer, journalist or freak through this site.
Tally ho
TSJ
xxx
We are The Smoking Jackets, a pop duo from a rural location that we would prefer not to name at this stage.
You can find out more about us on our myspace page - www.myspace.com/thesmokingjackets
We will update you whether fan, admirer, journalist or freak through this site.
Tally ho
TSJ
xxx
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