What Kind of a rocker...

You Are an Emo Rocker!

Expressive and deep, lyrics are really your thing. That doesn't mean you don't rock out... You just rock out with meaning. For you, rock is more about connecting than grandstanding.

What Kind of Rocker Are You?

Writing a song

Sometimes it’s something you work at, you have an Idea in your head, a theme, a tune - something specific. Those are normally the hardest or should I say most frustrating and time consuming, because it feels like it takes you forever to get to the point you want to be at. Other times it just happens in that moment when your sitting there at your piano, or in my case with your guitar in hand with a handy piece of paper and pencil; nearby (I really need to get a Dictaphone or something).
That’s what happened last weekend - there are very few songs I’ve written in half an hour, but this was one of them (Maybe Angels - written further down the page was another)-I wish I could explain the feeling that comes with writing one of these songs. It’s almost like a channeling that something more than you has decided to use you as the conduit for this melody and if you don’t grasp it in that moment it’ll be gone forever.
I promise you this happens too, I’ve had it before when I’ve had the song in my head and had to go and do something else and have not been able to grasp it again. The words flow, like wine amongst friends -you don’t have to work too hard to find the ones that express what you’re trying to say. Then suddenly it’s over and you have in your hand scribbled on a bit of paper, and you’re left sitting there wondering what just happened to you. That’s when you need to commit it to memory, because if you leave it to long the melody will leave you, you’ll have the words and the chords scratched down, but unless you can write music (which I can’t) the fundamental melody that binds it all together will leave you.
After all of this if you’re playing it with a band, it’s going to change and shift around those who play it as all songs do, but essentially it’s there.
I Cant’ post the words yet as I haven’t committed them to memory, but if you’re at our next gig, listen out for it, it’s called “Stand Up” (for now at least).
Keep well all
Love and peace
Liam

Helping Out

I don't know where she got our number from, but a couple of days ago I got a call from a Lady at the Hospice organization in 'Maritzberg asking if we'd be able to play at a general funraising day they're having there on the 25th, which is next Saturday. For those of you who don't know, hospice is an organization that goes around giving care and companionship to poeple with terminal illnesses, like Cancer.
The reason I know this is, I've had more than enough contact with them In the past two years, and they are good people that dedicate thier time to others. Firstly my Gran was diagnosed with and eventually died of cancer - and then not even a month Later my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, though she pulled through, tough Lady that she is, but my point is (and there is one I promise) is that they first visited my Gran when she was Ill, and then my mom. Alot of the time the biggest function they provide in those situations, is just someone to talk to about it, it's amazing how many people can't or wont.
I know I've gone on about it, but we'll definitely be playing there, so if you're in 'Maritzberg, or you fancy getting out for the day, come along. The Day starts in the morning and we'll be playing at 10-11am, but it'll be whole day affair. So come and Support Hospice, It's at 200 "Zwartcop Drive", which is what "Meyers Walk" becomes.
We hope to see you there.

Love and Peace
Liam

Long time no Blog

Alright I know it's been an age, I've been really busy at work these last couple weeks so... that's my reason and that's what I'm sticking to. We haven't confirmed any gigs for the festive season yet, but I will keep you posted. The last couple practices have been really fun and sounding great as we've been trying out some new things, So don't be surprized if you hear some new songs comeing out of this corner.

Correction

I just noticed that I Had posted the wrong email adress to contact us at, it was published as "liam-zephyr@yahoo.co.uk" when it should have been "liam_zephyr@yahoo.co.uk". So if you have tried to send anything through and have been wondering why it hasn't been working - well now you know, I have corrected that entry now. Shows you how often I read through what I'm posting, no-wonder there's so many spelling errors.

Animated Giffs

Thanks to my colleague, I now know how to make animated Giff’s - I thought I would post one up here, to see how it works (If it works).
You can get quite involved with them and end up spending hours on something that is only animated for a couple of seconds. It’s alot of fun though, if you got the time to spend making them - hey maybe you’ll see some more in the future if this one works. If it doesn’t then you never read this.
Keep well all
Liam

Change of line up

Hey all,
unfortunately we're not going to be playing with Zen Arcade anymore which is a pity, I was looking forward to a double "Z" billing. We still will however be playing, with another local band, Helpbreakmary, the evenings proceedings should be kicking off at around 8.30 pm, so get there if you can, it'll be a great one and we're definitely looking forward to it, so we hope to see you there. If you can make it come over and say Hi.
I do finally have my guitar back which makes me really happy, Pete did a great job, and she's sounding better than ever. Jeremy's hoping to have his new bass amp by then aswell, so be ready to rock.Alright Later all

Next Gig!

Hey All
We've been asked to play with "Zen Arcade" at Cliffies on the 20th of this fine month of ROCKtober - that would be next friday, we're looking forward to it and hopefully by then I should have my Accoustic guitar back (I've been practicing and played one informal gig - with my electric, though while fun, needs a bit more work and experimenting with before hitting the big stage. Basically I need to get a decent guitar amp which would set me back a couple of grand, so not likely any time soon.) As i was saying I should have my accoustic back soon, she is in the very capable hands of Mr Pete Hanbury, a good friend and skilled Luthier (an instrument craftsman). My old pickup died on us in the middle of our set at Southern Cross (Jeremy and Colin you're stars - they managed to add in and adjust some of the songs so they were carried by the Bass and Drums), so Pete has fitted a new one and is doing some general maintenance repairs on her for me.
Unless you actually play an instrument as often as a gigging band does you don't really realize how much wear and tear your intruments endure.
Gotta run
Peace & Love people
Liam

Contact Us

Hey if you visit the blog and want to know more about the band and don't want to leave it as a comment to one of our posts, I've set up a yahoo email adress liam_zephyr@yahoo.co.uk where you can send us an email.
Other news is that we've registred the web address www.zephyr-music.co.za However as Im busy with wortk at the moment I haven't had the chance to build the site, so for now it leads you here. Which Might be a bit confusing to those of you who have seen our address on stuff we've handed out at gigs and ended up at a blogspot.
So write to us we'd be pleased to hear from you.
Chow.
Liam

Maybe Angels

I've just Found out a friend of mine lost her Dad a few weeks ago, news like this always hits you at your core - and despite the loss of lives all around the world the news of the loss of someone, (even if you don't know them personally - but they're close to someone you know well) creeps right under that guard you've built up to avoid letting in all the terrible things that happen in the world.
I’m sure everyone at some point in time has experienced real grief at one level or another. I’m posting the words to a song I wrote a few years ago, when I was experiencing a grief that felt it would tear me apart, this ones for you van if you’re reading this.

Maybe Angels

Maybe angels watch over me,
when I’m sleeping when I’m lost in my dreams
when I’m searching for answers just out of my reach
Are you out there searching like me
can you hear it when the wind starts to speak
when it whispers it leaves your name caught in the air

Maybe angels watch over you
Maybe angels watch over me too
Maybe angels are holding us safe in the night

I’ve been broken since you stepped on that train
maybe angels can make me whole again
because the feelings I’m feeling are too much to bear
When the moon shines over the sea
I’ll be thinking of you thinking of me
Maybe angels are holding us safe in their embrace

Maybe angels stand by our side
Maybe angels our guardian and guides
Maybe angels are holding us safe in their light

Maybe angels are watching me bleed
Maybe angels are bleeding with me
Maybe angels are feeling the pain that I feel

Maybe angels won’t you stand by my side
Maybe angels my guardian and guide
Maybe angels - wont’ you stand and watch over her

Southern Cross

This Southern cross will be a 1 year anniversary for the band, it was at last years festival that Jeremy picked up the Bass, and Colin officially joined Zephyr. Of course then we also had Chris playing with us, but alas he had to much on his plate to continue. We have progressed alot this year and we've been relly enjoying ourselves and had some brilliant gig's. It hasn't been easy fitting in our practices with our normal lives and in the near future we're planning on putting more practices in if we can, you only get out what you put in.
I digress back to the Festival, If you go to www.southerncrossmusic.co.za You can see the line up and some of the pictures from prevoius years. It is really a great festival, very relaxed and scenic and this year like every other has a great music line up. We'll be playing on the Friday Night at 7pm and probably doing a couple accoustic songs on Saturday as a filler, so if you're gonna be there watch out for us.
Peace and Love all

Liam

A Hard fought Battle

It's called battle of the bands and a battle it was, everyband on the night gave thier all and more, the Victors in the end were "WHite Chapel" and though close it was a deserved victory for them Their strongest points were thier Technicality and stage precence. I would definitley say we had the edge in originality and Versatility as most the bands we were up against were all pretty much the same Genre, an dplayed very similar sounding songs. All in all we really enjoyed ourselves and had a great gig, the Crowd really got behind us and that makes all the difference in the world, so thank you all so much.
Even though we didn't get to take the title home of top KZN band on the night we had some really Good Critics from the Judges, Both of them really liking the direction the band has been taking. Encouraging us to work on certain aspects to make us all the better for the future - at the end of the day stuff like this can only help us. I've linked this entry to blueWorld.co.za where there are pictures of the evening, including the one above, which was taken not long after we'd come off stage, unfortunately there weren't many Pic's of the bands in action.
Peace & Love
Liam

Time and date

Right so I've recently learnt the time that the battle kicks off, This Saturday at 8pm is when the first note will be struck. I have no Idea of the line up, or when each band will play, all of this will be decided on the night. I do know that there are ten bands playing on the night and only one will go through to the finals.
Keep well all
Liam

Ready to do battle!

The hour is almost upon us when we must face our fears and stride forth, to an uncertain future, where we'll tread uncertain ground and hope to be left standing at the end of the evening... yes a little dramatic, but The National battle of the bands is apon us and the KZN leg is a one night ten band affair held right here in PMB. On Saturday the 9th of September "The Red Door" in PMB will play host to a score of bands from around our fair province and among them will be Zephyr. After speaking to Colin and Jeremy we decideded top enter - 'cause at the end of it at the least it should be good exposure.
So we blood ourselves to the competitive area of this industry, to stand up and take whatever may be thrown at us abuse or applause, even if we end up limping home we'll be able to hold our heads high and say we did battle, and battle our hearts out we did. (I sound Like Yoda - "mmm teach you I will.. yeeas mmm").
If we manage to be the one KZN band that does go through, we'll end up going to Gauteng, and exposing ourself to a whole new audience ("expose" is probably not the best word to use, it mighht give you the wrong impression of what we do). So we are exited and are currently working really hard on the songs we're going to be playing. So if anyone reading this is In 'Maritzburg on the night, come along, we'd appreciate the support.
Keep Well All
Liam

Fashion Show Gig

Hey All, okay I've got the date, but not so sure about the time, it's this Saturday, 26th September - were all looking forward to it, it's a while since we've done a gig and we've been working hard on our set, so I hope you all come out to see us again. If the last gig we did at the 'Varsity is anything to go by, it'll be a great one.
Spread the love
Liam

Hey all..

It's been a while i know, I've been off on Holiday for a couple of weeks and am only now back, which means no to much has been happening on the Music front.
So what's lined up for the band... well were booked for Southern Cross Music Festival http://www.southerncrossmusic.co.za/ Held on the weekend from the 22nd - 25th of September this year. A little closer we'll be playing at the Fashion show PMB's UKZN campus, I'm not sure of the date yet, though will post it as soon as I have it confirmed. Other than that we're still looking forward to doing our recording sometime this year, we'll be meeting with Dave Birch this eve to get his coments on our rough recording we sent him. Hopefully he'll give us some positive criticism on the songs and then we'll be able to set a date with him and start working towards it.
Will keep you all posted until then
Love and Peace
Liam

More Pic's

Photo shoot.

Hey All, I know it's been a while since I've added, but I haven't had access to the web . Aswell as our recent inactivity as far as gig's go. Not to worry we shall shortly be rectifying this, though first a couple of us will be on holiday with our families.
We haven't been completely quiet we've been practicing hard and putting into place our plans for our recording. Recently we went down to Durban to speak to Dave Birch of Island Studios, and it was on the way back that Andrea (Colin's wife) decided the light was perfect for a photo shoot. Besides embarassing the band she managed to get some really cool shot's of us and some goofy ones. So I thought I'd put a couple up that you can laugh at or whatever.
Just in case you've never met or seen the band, I might as well do a bit of an introduction. Jeremy's the one with the crazy eyes on the right of the second Picture (bass and vocals), Colin's the Dark haired smooth looking drummer in the middle, and the other messed up one in the glasses is me Liam (guitar and vocals)
life's a song and you're the melody.
Spread love and peace.
Liam

Surprise from the beat boy

Liam, I finally made it onto the blog. Looking pretty good.

Looking forward to the youth day festival on the 16 June at Pietermaritzburg varsity.
As the drum beats, let it bring together the people of South Africa to celerbrate unity and peace. Through music we are one.

See you there.....
Colin A