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In Your Face |
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In the wake of their bold and handsome cd,
"Conundrum", the band were at a musical high point. This showed as the
band entered into a renaissance of new material. The project that awaited
would be the band's most dynamic, melodic and prolific musical venture
yet. Tr: I knew we had to do another one. The stuff was just too good. GF: It's our best ever, that's for sure. JK: Nothing is forever except death and taxes! (laughter) JK: Some of these songs weren't songs until we brought them out to be songs. Tr: And I knew these songs were destined to be songs way before they were songs GF: Every practice, we had a new riff. Tr: Usually just jam sessions we did to warm up, but we had some great ones! Gary records these sessions if something good happens. He gave me a copy of all that stuff and since I was leaving town, I knew we had to make this cd first. So I spent a lot of time trying to make these long jams into actual songs. In the end, I couldn't capture the feel that some of them had no matter how hard I tried. One example is "Lazy Crazy Summer". The finished song is great but it didn't capture the aura of the original demo. I actually spliced a piece of that demo into the very beginning of the finished song. It was also bit awkward for John because he would come up with a riff, play it once and forget about it. Months later, I would bring it back to him as a complete song - and he didn't remember ever doing it. And I would try to get Gary to play some of the same drum riffs that he played in the original session. They did an outstanding job considering the pressure I put over them. GF: I'm actually surprised we got it made at all with you being so bummed losing your car! Tr: That happened during a break in the recording session for Sunshine Girl. It was a part of me. (croc tears) Didn't effect the song, though, like it or not. I'll always remember John's reaction to hearing the finished version. He said "That was totally Turtles". GF: We were learning this stuff in the studio. Tim was directing us with movements and signals. JK: He was playing "Lawrence Welk". If only he had the baton. GF: We were down to the wire with Tim and Larry Moving to other parts of the country. Tr: It made for a great album. The spontaneity and unfamiliarity with these songs really achieved different results than previous efforts. Some of the songs on the other albums were a bit tired. We played them at our gigs all the time and became sort of numb to them. These new songs didn't have that chance and the old songs we chose for the project were mostly forgotten relics from the first year of the band. GF: Girls in Thongs was one we wrote on the fly during the recording sessions. It's too bad we didn't play that one at the beach!
Tr: We came up with "Over Rated" around the same time. Two of the last songs were written and recorded toward the end of the Florida sessions. They were "Alabama Free" and "Crash and Dash". The former was the last song written and recorded by Tc. It originally had a working title as "23", since it was the 23rd song we recorded in the IYF sessions. Both songs we're warm up jams where I hit the record button without anyone knowing. After the first take of Crash, I asked the guys to do it one more time for the tape. Gary groaned and was very reluctant to add another song to our ever growing list. They did it, though, and that second take is the one on the cd (except the funky middle 4 which was from the original take). We were about half way through recording the song when I realized we never talked about an ending. So I did my mad Lawrence Welk at the end and directed Gary through that big rock'n'roll ending, with John following right through. Then John said the song was called "Crash and Dash". He pointed at Gary and myself and said "You're Crash and You're Dash". GF: That said, it wouldn't have been written without us having wrecks and risking our lives for TC. We went above and beyond on that one. Tr: We showed them our all! JK: Now I've heard everything! (more laughter) Tr: Yes, Gary and I lost our cars exactly one week apart. I replaced my departed Z28 with a red Firebird. It can be heard in the middle of the song racing along the highway. My family and I ended up naming it "Dash". JK: "Try it Again" goes way back to the SOL beginning GF: I wrote that for John when he was getting back together with Julie. No wait, John stole that song from me! No, I gave it to him. JK: I'm not believing I'm hearing this! (again with the laughter) Tr: They played this song to me last year from an old tape. I didn't remember ever hearing it before yet there I was playing on it. I was there at least physically. It mellowed out a bit in the final recording. A great song. Strange it was forgotten for so long. JK: "I'm a Fish" goes back to a night. Tr: A dark night. JK: A dark and stormy night. GF: It wouldn't have happened if Tim didn't want a Swan song. One of the many from the old days. JK: One of the most appealing to me was "Trouble Clef". Tim said to sing it the way Jimmy Dean sang "Big John". That style worked! GF: In the end, we're symbols (much eye rolling from band and cynical laughter) Tr: That song is actually a biography of the band, including many references. Each little phrase has a meaning. "We're Symbols" ("Cymbals?") refers to the time of our first gig, when our original bass player announced to the audience "We're Symbols! Thank you for coming!" and "Watch out for that tree" refers to the big tree near John's driveway that at least two or three band members had backed into. Tr: I actually wrote a lot of lyrics this time. I asked Gary to come over one day and I sat there with an acoustic and that's where it started. GF: I was more of an inspiration. Then he really took off in writing lyrics. He just needed a kick in the butt out of necessity. Tr: I actually got to play the roll of "Bass player" as well. Lot's of fun though. Especially "Tank". GF: The third movement of Tank sends chills down my spine. Two thumbs up! Tr: I knew that it had the potential to be a great song. I can't believe we actually pulled it off. It seems to be the most talked about song on the album and it's a six minute + instrumental which is normally unheard of. Definitely something we've never done before. The drums and some of the instrumentation in the third movement was actually a practice take but when it was all over, we said "That was great! Why do it again?" so that's the one we used. Glad to hear Gracie again as well though she had to think I was nuts giving her the Lawrence Welk treatment. Though the music of the band was at a high point, emotions were being stirred as Larry Z was making a move to Kill Devil Hills, NC. and Tr, facing personal problems was preparing for a life changing move as well. Tr: After I moved to Alabama, I set up a studio in a building in our "Starlight Ranch" which kind of sits toward the bottom of a mountain (in Alabama terms). The name actually came because there is a slew of pinholes in our barn (probably from a shot gun) and when the light's on at night, it looks like a bunch of stars from the outside. The studio's nice, it's just a little weird. I'll be recording a guitar solo and a big wasp will fly by my face or I'll be on the computer mixing tracks and our stallion "Mirage" will stick his head in the window and start nosing through my papers. So I'll be mixing tracks and yelling at my horse, telling him I'm out of pears and to go away. GF: Share your pear JK: Share Your Pair was the first song Gary ever wrote GF: Yes it was Tr: Really. I had no idea. Wrong album. GF: Speaking of horses, the photo shoot was really something. Tr: I was approached by the Fleet Reserve last Spring. They wanted me to be a horse for the club's birthday celebration their ladies' auxiliary was holding. Gracie was a cowgirl and I was her horse last Halloween and it went over very well. I was supposed to have a walk on-part for one of their songs but somehow I ended up being featured in the whole show, being forced to do pony tricks in front of everybody. Doesn't PETA require certain procedures for that kind of stuff? They also asked Gary to be a cowboy who gets shot. GF: Yes they shot me and I fell with my head right next to one of the speakers. Then there was this horrible feedback shriek! Tr: Larry got off lucky. He dressed up as a piano player but he didn't have to get on the floor. I think his piano ended up in the pool, though. We went to the back with Captain Rod, Gracie, and a bucket of oats and had a photo session. It was a lot of fun, except John took a wrong turn and showed up at a cavalry convention dressed as an Indian.
JK: As far as album names go, Timmy came up with "Here Comes Treble", I came up with "Conundrum" and Gary said - Tr: "Quit snapping me with that towel or I'll hit you in the face". (laughter) JK: No, I don't want to be "gay". I watch Lawrence Welk. Does that mean I'm gay? (silence)
Tr: Anyway, I'm glad we were able to do this one. It's the most fun I've ever had recording an album. The hardest part was choosing which songs were going to make it on the album from these abundant sessions. As the cover shows, Tc has finally completed its metamorphosis, even if it's headed nowhere. JK. You have to stay the course with a thousand points of light GF: That you can see through Timmy's barn Tr: Leave my barn out of this (laughter) Will the splintering of the band mean the end of Trouble Clef? Will Captain Rod take Tr's place as lead guitarist? Will the members reunite for a rowdy Starlight Ranch Hootenanny? Stay tuned next time and find out! ___________________________________________ Girls in thongs Lead Voc - LZ Workin' down on the beach Lookin' for girls to meet All of them lookin' so fine Wishin' that one of 'em's mine Girls in skimpy thongs Knowin' that they might do wrong Enjoying pleasures in the sand With the boys in the band Girls in thongs Girls in thongs G-g-g-g-g-g-g-Girls in thongs Man, they got me thinking all wrong BabaBAPBAPBABAabadabapbabaaaaaaaa Watchin' them girls walk by Cheeks movin' left to right Makin' me hypnotized Think I might just go blind Keepin' beat with the drum Girls comin' one by one Hope that it never stops Eventually the thong will pop Girls in thongs Girls in thongs G-g-g-g-g-g-g-Girls in thongs Man, they got me thinking all wrong BabaBAPBAPBAPBAadootdootdootadootoodoobaaaa ©2005 TC Enterprises
Crash And Dash Lead Voc - Tr Highway lines Disappearing signs You can't trust your eyes When you blink Statues of saints To keep it safe We're seldom afraid Of what lies ahead Of our state of mind (Don't let your eyes wonder) Am I seeing things (Keep your mind between the lines) Oh the air it sings (Crash and Dash) And carries me away The sky's as blue as my trust in you My thoughts all are true and surreal Drifting sands across asphalt lands An unknown band on the radio And I see you (Don't let your eyes wonder) Am I seeing things (Keep your mind between the lines) It feels so strange (Crash and Dash) And carries me away Vrooom (Don't let your eyes wonder) Am I seeing things (Keep your mind between the lines) Oh the air it sings (Crash and Dash) And carries me away ©2000 TC Enterprises
I'm a Fish Lead Voc - JK Glub Glub I'm a fish I've got gills I've got slimy scales I'm a fish I'm swimming around In my sea of love I've got bubbles in my nose And fins instead of toes I'm a fish I've got tuna breath I breath water So did my father I'm swimming around In my little ocean There's a bigger fish Gonna' eat me 'Cause I'm not the biggest one
©1999 TC Enterprises Another Promise Lead Voc - LZ A thought is nothing more than A solution waiting to be found Something to be said for happiness Like an inner peace We each live our lives Never knowing right from wrong Life is taken for granted Until it is gone You gotta' hold on to your dreams And listen to your fears You gotta' learn to hold on Tomorrow might not make it clear You gotta' learn to hold on Smile when you're down And out of luck Another promise Another year Next time 'round Listen to your heart at night And share what's inside The one that inspired your thoughts Will be in your dreams tonight Nothing ever changes When no one around you cares Sit back for a moment and listen To the silence of the night You gotta' hold on to your dreams And listen to your fears You gotta' learn to hold on Tomorrow might not make it clear You gotta' learn to hold on Smile when you're down And out of luck Another promise Another year Will be found People are creatures of habit Always wanting to win If we'd all live by the golden rule There wouldn't be so much sin Open your eyes in the darkness And the World will still be blind Simplicity of life Makes it easier to find You gotta' hold on to your dreams And listen to your fears You gotta' learn to hold on Tomorrow might not make it clear You gotta' learn to hold on Smile when you're down And out of luck Another promise Another year Brings you down ©2004 TC Enterprises Trouble Clef Lead Voc - JK Back in '99 Big John started a band He asked Gary to Join in And to lend a helping hand Next we added Timmy He could really play some lead We enlisted Captain Rod To help us with the feed What you talkin' 'bout (Trouble) What are you kidding me? (Trouble Trouble Clef) Play it again (Hey!) We started writing the music The songs were off the cuff We started getting serious People really liked our stuff We were trying to find a bass player Was like living in hell We'd gone through five or six We had thought we were SOL What you talkin' about (Trouble) Shake it all around (Trouble) Put a spell on me (Trouble Clef!) We've made some crazy albums Through out all those wild years Took a lot of sweat and stress And an awful lot of beer We want you to buy our record We can't give it to you for free You can listen to it World wide Just dial up dot TC That was good boys (Trouble) We're symbols! (Trouble) Put a spell on me (Trouble) What you talkin' bout (Trouble) Not another one! (Trouble) What, are you kidding me!? (Trouble) You're costing us money (Trouble) Watch out for that tree (Trouble) Where's the duct tape (Trouble) We're the five lb. weight in Gary's drum (Trouble) You're killing me Trouble Clef! In your face! ©2000 TC Enterprises
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Lyrics
Over Rated Lead Voc - Tr Scream rant rave Drool no brain Blood sweat fear Puny no hair Cuss slam Stair down your dad's shoes They are over rated They are over rated Punk pusher pre-teen poser Drop out drugged up Shrapnel stuck freakout Rebuked video tv non-culture They are over rated They are over rated They are over rated My love is dying to what's inside A heart like yours blows my mind You have the scent of a rose Waiting for the right bee You'll find love with me Over sized vaudeville pants Over sized ego brat Absent minded Stupid disrespecting They are over rated They are over rated Heartless soulless Two chord non-wonder Here today gone tomorrow Grind gank scream Set it forget it They are over rated They are over rated They are over rated Come with me to a land Of beautiful dreams Of swaying trees and sparkling streams A shady lane, a whistling train A picnic basket with my sweetheart In the rain Oh I know I've longed for someone And darlin', tonight That someone is you ©2005 TC Enterprises
I Can't Take It Lead Voc - JK I hit the button on my snooze alarm I'm safe in bed away from the harm I can't face the day, can't turn on the charm Should've stayed down on the farm I can't take it no more I can't take this world anymore I can't fake it no more I can't take this world anymore It's a big world, it's cold outside I don't remember signing up for this ride Don't make my feelings so cut and dry I did my best, I've still got my pride I can't take it no more I can't take this world anymore I can't fake it no more I can't take this world anymore I want to see around the next bend The twist and turns to the bitter end I need to know, I can't pretend I've made my peace, I've made my amends I can't take it no more I can't take this world anymore I can't fake it no more I can't take this world anymore No more ©2004 TC Enterprises Sunshine Girl Lead Voc - Tr I'm looking for a Sunshine Girl Who caught my eye last night In the midst of a whirly crowd That filled the air with strange and fright She disappeared through a thousand spinning lights It had to be a quarter of two before I realized where she took me to and I wonder How did she know my name I gave my heart away last night Was she even there oh my We sailed a flying ship through a loving atmosphere Lost in strands of love beads spinning through her hair A kaleidoscope in a rainbow was the last thing I remember How did she know my name I gave my heart away last night Was she even there oh my Oooh Sunshine Girl ©1999 TC Enterprises
Another Day Another Lie There's a room outside my brain Spinning 'round my head Leaving me on the floor Facing light beneath the door Is it all a fantasy Driven by regret This is my reality Something they fail to see An now they're finding me I see we'll die a sea of monsters And wake again before we die To live another day another lie She asks me "What's my sign?" I say no U-Turn There is no turning back If we are to remain intact Your place or mine? So I'll drink alone among them all 'Till I forget my tribulations Is there a jester I can call To make sense of this situation There's a world beneath my feet Diving me straight through a crooked street I see you're here with me Let's forget our tribulations And wake again before we try To live another day another lie
©2004 TC Enterprises
Try It Again Lead Voc - JK How many times do I have to say I'm sorry for what I said before? How many times have I wondered what We were even fighting for Even if I could live forever I couldn't love you more You could turn my life around now By walking back through that door Without you, my broken heart Doesn't seem to want to mend Couldn't we couldn't we couldn't we now Try Again I wish we could start all over Wipe the slate nice and clean Forget about all our arguments And all the times we've been mean You consume all my waking hours You haunt me in my dreams I would love you day and night now And everything in between Without you, my broken heart Doesn't seem to want to mend Couldn't we couldn't we Couldn't we now Try Again Our lives seem to go in cycles It's time to try again Give it our best one more time We can't let this love just end The world seems so much warmer When you spend the night So wrap your arms around me And turn off the bedroom light Without you, my broken heart Doesn't seem to want to mend Couldn't we couldn't we Couldn't we now Try Again ©2000 TC Enterprises
Lazy Crazy Summer Lead Voc - Tr A lazy crazy Summer Of many years gone by Haunting my surroundings These visions Concrete deep and dry Where we spent our waking hours Broken axles rusted frames Are the confines of my mind Thought I'd left that world Thought I'd left it far behind Wish I could stop myself from going Into rewind Living in the past Ignoring all the future Somewhere in the center There's a world waiting there A lazy crazy Summer Of many years gone by Haunting my surroundings As visions passing by Thought I'd left that world Thought I'd left it far behind Wish I could stop myself from going Into rewind ©2004 TC Enterprises
Tank ©2004 TC Enterprises
Before the Sunrise Lead Voc - Tr Falling stars like rain They whisper your name Music to your eyes Take you oceans away I'll fly you so high You'll be terrified of the ground Then I'll keep you You'd better take a deep breath before you Grab my hand Forget your past Ride a star before the sunrise Like stars in a chandelier In love we too astound Can I have this dance Let our orbit spin you around Don't let the night eclipse The sunset in your eyes For they'll warn you You'd better sort your dreams from reality Grab my hand Forget your past Ride a star before the sunrise ©2004 TC Enterprises
1-Over Rated
2-I Can't Take It
3-Larry Seville
5- Another Day Another Lie
6- Girls In Thongs
7- Try It Again
11- Another Promise
13- Before The Sunrise
14- Trouble Clef
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