#music, #Retirement Projects, #The XCerts

Three songs….And a Cosmic Girl too.

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Back in 1978. Kev in striped jumper, Me in the middle, Dave on the right.

Three songs were found this morning on an old mp3 player. Thought you might want to listen to them. See below. The XCerts, for those who aren’t familiar with this story, are reforming for a 2024 festival spot. We were asked to do this a few months ago. My brother Kev (Zero Summers) died at 21 years old. So he cannot be included alongside myself (Bass/Vocals) or Dave Pepper (Guitar/Vocals). Kev was the drummer here on these songs. My brother Steve plays guitar. He has agreed to join us for a bigger live sound. Also on recording in a studio too. So a different sound to the original line up will be on the cards for sure.

We have no drummer presently, as the drummer that agreed to join the whole project has family commitments and can no longer take the time to apply to this project.

We are now all of 3 to 4 years off to touching 70 years old. Can we still do this? Can we rock and roll still! I’m sure we can. I know we can actually. I have heard all of us playing currently. It’s very much an okay. Should be fun times.

Satisfied. A song that was true punk. I loved singing this live. Kinda went down well for some reason.

Asylum. A slow starter but gets into a very nice groove. Dave sings on this one. I back up harmonies.

Feeling in the Groove. We were asked to write some pop songs by the Management. Or should that be management in tiny little insignificant letters. Dave sings on this one and I join in harmonies. He was asked to give it a distinctive voice by said ‘management’. So he did!

They were recorded a good 44 years ago approximately. I’m very poor at math linked to memory. I own neither skill.

Play them nice and loud and pretend you’re at one of our gigs, in a sweaty venue, back in the heady days of punk.

Here’s a little bonus track which was recorded on to a cassette.

Cosmic Girl. Again, we were asked to consider writing a pop tune. So we tried writing a pop tune. Bit different from our true nature of Satisfied. Hey ho!

17 thoughts on “Three songs….And a Cosmic Girl too.”

    1. Thank you once again. You have a fine way with words. I see punk values across many generations of musicians. The pomp sound of music, from way back when, is now scattered. Too old school. Raw energy is great. Even when controlled it still sounds great. There have been some fantastic bands over the decades that you could easily miss. It’s nice you have thought that the sound to these songs still has the ability to be listened to. Much appreciated cookie. 🙏🏽

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      2. I am busy writing still. So should have new songs next year. We, The XCerts of old, need to find a drummer again now. So unsure of when we can get into a studio next year for the old songs with tweaked rewrites. Looking forward to hearing more of your songs too cookie. Cheers. 🙏🏽

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  2. Sucks about the drummer backing out, Gray. Though I get family commitments. Ugh.
    I love Satisfied and Asylum. Cosmic Girl too (especially on the second listening of it).
    As for nearing 70, if you still have Energy enough in your body, age is just a number! Go for it! Ha! After all, look at the Stones! They are still rockin’ and rollin’. Just saw Keith Richards on stage with Willie Nelson the other night on TV and he still seemed energetic and enjoying himself.
    Here’s to finding the right drummer to join your new lineup! Cheers!

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    1. Thanks Sheila. I played alongside the drummer in a band back in the days. We toured with The Specials, etc. So understood each other totally as a rhythm section. He was really excited about all this. We understand his reasons. He didn’t make the decision lightly. I think a lot of bands just keep going and some are reforming as they get to landmarks of time. Squeeze are playing again. 50 years since forming is their premise. Music for myself isn’t all about ‘those days’ nostalgia. It’s music for its own sake. The invitation to gig again has been a godsend because it provided self impetus. I now have a Fender Jazz bass and a keenness to songwriter again in earnest. But in reality? I would love to get a band just to play some gigs and have a bit of an aim to keep retirement spirits up. Been too much at home alone since retiring. Serious about songwriting still it seems. Older age brings a new desire to express lyrically the inspirational events of a past few decades. Interestingly. I used to play Willie Nelson’s song Valentine to patients attending the social Day Hospital. They came back for a couple of months, once a week, to socialise with other attendees. An amazing nurse ran it, and could check they were doing okay after discharge. She used to ask me to bring in my acoustic and play some tunes from time to time. I chose loads of appropriate songs that they could sing along to. Catch a Falling Star, If you were the only girl in the world, I’d like to teach the world to sing, some Beatles, Elvis, etc. It was amazing to see music lift them back into the essential world of their past times where they were stronger. So, yes, older age can still appreciate music for music’s sake. You’re spot on there Sheila. Cheers too for your observations again. Here? Still awaiting sunshine……and a drummer. Both seem a long way off still. But positivity and optimism are my middle names. 😊 All the best, good fortune and enjoyment for your Christmas period.

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      1. Beautiful all, Gray, from you getting back into your songwriting groove, to your nursing stories (always love those). I hear you about getting back to playing music to give you an aim and for sheer enjoyment factor. I also believe you offered such good cheer to folks in the hospital when you played. Enormously helpful in my humble opinion! Love the choice of songs too. Understand about your drummer—tough choice for him.
        All the best to you too! And thank you for wishing us good fortune and more during our Christmas time. Happy Winter Solstice!

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    2. Oh! And yes about rocking and rolling down the years. The Hollywood Vampires were blasting out the best sounds I’ve ever heard live. Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Johnny Depp. And Johnny’s the youngest of the three at 60 years old. Every Worldwide tour gig was sold out. The one I attended had a 24,000 crowd!

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  4. Cracking tracks Gray…loving Asylum… ive picked up my bass again after 30 years, ..well i got carried away and have 3 now…but what the hell…catch up with you in the New Year bud.

    Cheers Paul

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    1. Hi Paul. Good to hear from you. Brilliant to get involved in the Bass again. It brings so much pleasure to play again doesn’t it? Hope you are enjoying the experience as much as I am. Will be in touch in the New Year. I have been hunkering down whilst Angie has been rushed off her feet with her shop. But she started driving again a few weeks back. Knee not good still, but got guilty to my taking her in and picking her up everyday. I didn’t mind. It got me out! But she needed to get back to being independent again. Hope your Christmas went well. Best wishes for the New Year. All the best.

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