Our Real Names [Clayton & Carl-Robert]

OK it's about time we said our actual first names so we don't have to keep saying dumb codenames. The drummer is Clayton, the bassist is Liam, the lead guitar and singer is Carl-Robert and the other guitarist is Steve. We changed the names on the "What to Call Us" thing on nav bar. Happy New Year!

WE DID IT [C. Bonham & CR]

After rehearsing for 6 1/2 hours we actually played the gig. It was totally amazing. There were 60 people so it was a pretty good private party. This guy Walter (or the musical genius of newburyport) came over to help set things up sound wise. He was the singer in the band Sex Executives. He was a great help. Someday I hope we can record with him. We started the concert with Bailed Out which went great. I think we suprized the people who haven't seen us before. Next we did In My Head that was our only slow song. Our overall sound was sort of Elvis Costello. We played 7 songs (2 sets of 4 and 3) we got rid of Feed on Inspiration because we wern't very tight on that song. Next we played California Burns which was our 4th or 3rd best song. After that our absolute most amazingly cool song was.... Moak! People dig political punk. Then we took a 10 minute break and came back to play the second set which was Thump Along, Mull Over This, and Crutches + Converse. Then OF COURSE we were called back onstage for an encore and we played Moak again. Then there was the insane hour long after-party (Mail got injured backstage and left early) where we were eating carefully assorted M n' Ms and Cocacola. NOW were at the after-after-party at C. Bonhams house and everyone is going nuts. What a great year it has been. Have a great new years and long live rock. Also sorry thats such a bad pic. The lighting was really bad.

Merry Christmas [post by C. Bonham]

Merry Christmas from the band [I tried for an hour to not make that sound sappy]. It has been a wonderful almost full year. It will be a whole year on April Foolz Day. From no Songs in April we now have 15 to 17 [minus the ones we gave up]. We have came a long way and in this area there are some okay record laybles out there. All we need to do is make a CD and I know people will like it. We're really tight. Thanks for the great year.

Set List

Our set list is as follows:

Set1:
1.Bailed Out
2.In My Head
3.California Burns
4.Moak


Set2:
1.Thump Along
2.Mull Over This
3.Feed on Inspiration
4.Crutches and Converse

Unexpected Carriage House Gig!!

We didn't know it but the day after X-mas we're playing a gig at "the carriage house" the place CR's dad started Mechanica a buisness. It's got great acoustics and the day of the show we're going to practice all day. Our set list is as follows: Crutches and Converse, Thump Along, Moak, and California Burns. Only four songs but they are our best. Unfortunatley it's not at a club or some thing but we're gonna invite friends. Seems like we are constantly finding new gigs to play. Long live rock.

CR's Sister.

We're thinking of letting CR's sister Kate "guest sing" in some songs. She has a really strong voice so it would be a neat change from CR's raw, hardcore voice. Also many bands have had girl singers as leads or guests (Heartless Bastards, Sonic Youth, Pink Floyd). We're thinking of having her sing on "In My Head" but we're not sure. Be sure to check out our lemonade stand on the Nav. Bar. it's got some cool stuff on it.

Insane Gig.

O.K. sometime soon in the middle of the school year Mind the Gap is signed up to play a song in front of 700 people. It's totally insane considering we've only played one BBQ gig in band history but we guess punk is about taking chances. CR is really nervous because he has to sing. We've decided to play "California's Burning" because it's really hardcore and has a strong influence. Soon we are going to get a great voice amp by pulling together some money and for X-mas CR is getting a normal sized amplifier for his guitar (he now has a crappy mini Fender reverb). We were gonna sign up for the SPIN magazine hot pursuit contest thing but it turns out you have to have been playing gigs for a while before being elgible to even try out. The school gig is a pretty big deal though, it's at the Rupert A. Nock middle. It might just be for sixth grade but that's still about 150 people. Also, Daxter had missed alot of band practices which was kind of annoying but we showed him the newest songs and worked on fine tuning "Moak" a little. Everything's sounding good.

Late Night Partying (post by Mail and CR)

You know, staying up late, drinkin tequila (just kidding (just kidding) just kidding) whatever. We're working on lyrics to a song that really celebrates the spirit of the band, It's called "We Can't Even Write a Song". Also there's a sick new almost full hardcore punk song we've been practicing called "Moak" and it's about how the mayor who sucks was elected. By the way from now on we're going to change the template once a month until we run out of templates to change. Just a weird traddition... Here are some sick photos:





-The Distorted Coke!











-CR Watching the Tube!












-C. Bonham Loves Chips!










-An Instant Party

KNUP LATNEMIREPXE (post by c. bonham and CR)

It's "Experimental Punk" (spelled backwards)... a new song we're working on. Have you ever noticed how Nirvana's songs are often really out on tune or "anti-mainstream", unexpected and irrisistible? Well this new song is totally out there and Nirvana inspired. It's got pretty good lyrics that we worked together on. It seems like whenever CR co-writes lyrics with other people in the band the songs turn out better. Rock On!

Rock n' Roll Gets Serious (Since When?!).

We're starting to get truly serious about this band thing. We're putting together money for recording equipment so we can record right out of the basement... mixers, equalizers, speakers, mics, cymbals, amps, and just all the annoying but neccescary crap. We've all decided that a band can lose alot of mojo practicing just once a week on "wednesdays (sounds dorky huh)" so we're expanding practice time. If we don't happen to play on New Year's CR knows about a great club that can be rented out. Then again it might make more sense just to play cafes and battle of the bands'. Also, c. bonham and CR are working on lyrics to a new song about the CA wildfires and it's one of our best songs yet we think. Sorry for the embarrassingly long and repeated gaps of posting. It's hard to remember sometimes.

No More "Gig Finder"

What a drag. The "Gig Finder" or whatever we callem him quit. He said it was really just a waste of time... but what can you do. Anyway, CR went to Peter from his other band "Broken Institution's" birthday and watched Quadrophenia SICK (well, actually it wasn't so sick cuz we wurt in the moood)! Can't remember if we already said but Mail now has a blog called House of Rock.

Mind the Gap's "Gig Finder"

It's awesome because CR met this kid from his class who wants to be MTG's official "Gig Finder". We're not sure if he's still gonna do it but it would rock if he did because we would be preforming alot more. He's sort of into music too. We forgot to say but our "Agent" who wasn't really an agent quit because she wasn't really doing much. Also, we're confused about how to advertise the blog somewhere. please comment.

Radiohead's "In Rainbows" (post by CR)

I just ordered radiohead's new album "In Rainbows" under the name "Mind the Gap Band" and paid a generous $4.00 for it with the rad new "pick your price" plan. That idea is definetly the start of something (plus they can afford to pull something like that off). One thing is for sure... it got them a buttload of press on the radio, magazines, T.V., and the paper. It was definetly worth it considering this is being called one of Radiohead's best albums but I have to admit I haven't heard a single one of the songs yet (it'll be a suprise). Also, just to point something out, we had band practice and c. bonham wasn't there because he has LICE and it was horrible. Everybody was so out of it. Just goes to show how much we need him (especially because we need to tighten up the screws on the new year's set!). Well, Radiohead rules, 50 Cent drools, and Mind the Gap is cool.

We've Got Ourselves a New Year's Gig!

Everyone is phsyced because we just found out that we got a gig as the opening band for Das Pintos on New Years! It's at CR's family's house and even though his friends will be there, there will still definetly be alot of other random people who we don't know. It feels good to be spreading the word about Mind the Gap. We are currently working on one eight song set. Everyone's agreed that we're really starting to establish a cool style of music. Also, CR had an awesome birthday at his house with pool, poker, darts, spin the bottle, pizza, cake, and music... Yup.

Long Time No Post.

Sorry we haven't been posting lately. Everyone has just gotten back into the swing of Wednesday practices so nothing much has been going on. CR and Liam did make up one extremley sophisticated, sort of Velvet Underground inspired song called "Thump Along" We think we know how to do MP3's on the blog so wait for one. Also CR can get buisness cards for us so we can spead the word about us. Check out the new template and this cool album cover we designed.

Mail's Sick Bass (post by Mail and CR)

Just the other day Mail was suprised on his birthday with a sick tobbaco sunburst deluxe edition 5 string full size bass (woah.). It sounds much better than his old Squire. It seems Mail and CR both started out with Squires. Maybe when we get big we'll throw a few bucks in Fender's way. Well Daxters back from camping but C. Bonham isn't back from vacation yet. CR had a sleepover with Mail and now we are playing guitar hero.

My old bass only had 16 frets the new one has...24!! We also watched This Is Spinal Tap. Its a wicked funny movie about a band thats touring the U.S. to release their new album called smell the glove. CR also gave me the white album and if you don't know what the white album is then ask yourself who the BEATLES were! And if you don't know that you need to Get A Life. Rock the Casbah

Incredible Website

CR found an awesome merch website for band tees. It's amazing. It's called Retro Factory and we put the adress on the links. It has classic rock, punk, alternative, indie, popular, and rap music plus movies, tv and videogames merchandise! Only bad thing is it takes about 5-7 days to ship. Apparently it's a Yahoo! website. Don't waste time on amazon, go to Retro Factory. This band has to start competing in some battle of the Bands! It's not as easy to get gigs because we don't play stupid covers. Covers bands always get gigs because the hosts of the party want to be on the safe side. It's stupid but oh well. Mail's birthday is coming up soon so we are gonna take a trip to guitar center. Also guitar center is having a HUGE clearance sale on Labor Day. Be there.

What Does "Mind the Gap" Mean?

Mind the Gap is heard in many places. The most obvious is probably the british guy saying "mind the gap" over the loudspeakers while people step out of the London subway (or the "T") and onto the platform. Most people don't know that it's also a very pure buddhist (and sort of hippie) term reffering to a void in time. Then again it could just be some boy with a big black gap in his teeth telling somebody to just ignore it. We don't even know how many meanings there are out there and were in the band so if you know something please comment and tell us. Also, we don't know how but keep a lookout for a band called "Sinus Rythm". The drummer is C. Bonham's cousin.

China (post by CR)

I'm in China having fun. My family, our friends and I have been here for 2 weeks already so I'm really starting to miss the band and my guitar... The bands here aren't that great but there are supposedly a few good ones. Well at least I got to post. Tommorow I'm in Tibet so no more internet. I can't wait to get back and see how many cobwebs have built up in the band room since I was last there. C. Bonham and his family are gone until school starts again so I"ll be the one posting until everybody gets back.

Interview for School Paper.

Mind the Gap was interviewed for CR's sister and Mail's middle school paper. They just asked us a bunch of questios and recorded a song that will soon be on the blog. CR's going to China for 3 weeks so we won't be able to participate in the Yankee Homecoming talent-show (next year definetly). Anyway, here's a picture from the school paper interview of CR, Mail, and C. Bonham playing "Bailed Out".

A Slow But Fun Summer

We haven't been posting lateley. We've managed to make it work but with day camp and things it's harder to get practice time in over the summer. C. Bonham, his two brothers, CR, and CR's friend all helped make CR's band room cooler. We hung soda cans all over the place, and duct taped a bench. There is a really good documentary called "Rock School" we watched about a school of kids 9-14 who learn classic rock songs and preform. Definetly see it.

CR Bought Stratocaster

CR finally got a new guitar. A great sounding blue '62 vintage reproduction model Stratocaster was being sold in a blowout guitar sale at a music store in Maine so he bought it. I'ts much better quality than the mini Squier (which he's selling on eBay). He was going to get an all white one but it wouldn't have been a '60s which is much cooler. When Mail gets the new Pre-amp bass we'll have two new instruments. We've pretty much decided to wait until our next gig to put up a video (sorry).

New List of Songs

Here is the new list of songs with the old ones:

1. Crutches and Converse

2. Mull Over This

3. Life's Weird

4. In My Head

5. String Theory (walking contradiction)

6. Feed on Inspiration

7. Reflect and Detect

8. Bailed Out

9. Minds a Fray

10. Technology in the Mud

11. And if You Think That You Might

We are going to self-release an album in a year.
Some of these songs are still in progress.

Youtube is Evil. (post by CR)

The video wait goes on. I found the wire, uploaded the video to a file, spent time on Youtube verifying things and all that crap... And now it won't even work! It would be amazing if this blog ever got any comments but I'm pretty sure having people know if we're good (despite the negative comments on the profile) will make them more interested. Maybe one day we will have an enormous amount of fans that know our videos. If anybody is good with Youtube please comment and give us help. Here's a blurry picture I found of the gig.

Trying to Upload Video...

Youtube can be a real pain. Sorry we haven't been posting for a while, CR has been trying to edit the memorial day party gig video and put it on our Youtube channel. He just needs to find the right wire. Please excuse the fact that the video sounds terrible (well sort of). We'll get back in the swing of posting daily.

CR at Bonnaroo (posted by C. Bonham).

CR is listening to rock and roll right now. He is at Bonaroo, the "new woodstock". Bonaroo is in Tennesse someplace. The good bands that are playing there that he told me are Tool, The White Stripes, Wilco, The Black Keys, Spoon and some other rad groups. Right now I miss him because I want to jam so bad. But it doesn't all suck. I had Mail over but its so much easier with CR because he plays guitar (it makes sense). Anyways later Mail and I will work on our new funk rock song "Funk Ain't No Rock In The Park" before we jam on the June 20th. Maybe one day we'll play at Bonaroo... that would be cool. I would just like to say this band would have never got off with out CR, I noticed it before but I notice it more now we all need each other to work this rock band thing.

So Far.... (posted by C. Bonham)

Our band has gone a long way in a little amount of time (which is cool). Already we have 12 songs, 6 extra added to the 6 originals. Mail is thinking about getting a five string green pre amp bass and CR is going to get a Jappanese white Fender strat. I'm constantly making band posters. Anyway this is my second post (I haven't been posting much) please comment ROCK ON.

Funk-Rock song

C. Bonham and Mail have created the ultimate funk-rock song called "Funk ain't no rock in the park". We are thinking about making up some funk lyrics unless CR has some already, or we could make it an instrumental. Comment on which one we should do or other names maybe so.

Important to Remember. (post by CR)

This is very important. Even though were starting to play gigs, and we have chances of record deals, and were entering contests, well you know........ all that matters is that we rock and it's not a big deal if we don't get a record deal until later. Playing in the band room is perfectly fine. We all think sports are overated and that Pete Townsend or Jimi Hendrix should get as much attention as Babe Ruth or Curt Schilling. Check out the Libertines if you don't know them. They're awesome.

Our "Agent".

We now have an "agent" for the future and right now (it's way too early now..). Her name is Erin. She was going to be the manager but we decided that in the area of representing a band the Agent definetly wins. We've been working on Crutches and Converse more and are spending time to perfect Mull Over This. The money CR has won't be going to buy equipment after all. For now he needs it to save up for a Japanese (or Mexican) Strat, but we can still make money by playing shows. Also, we are going to play at some events in MA for kids, teenagers, and adults. We just have to find a good time.

Now Playing at Mail's House!

Mind the Gap© just started practicing at Mail's house. We've only played there once on a band sleepover in his brother collin's (he is at boarding school) room but we're planning on going more often. That's three available band rooms. The cool thing is that of all three drumsets, the one at Mail's house is the best quaility and the most tightly bolted and tough. Gotta get those videos on youtube soon!

About $51.00 Saved.

We are saving up for band equipment and are going to have a yard sale. So far we have about $51.00 saved from tips we got at the gig and the cash CR has in his Mind the Gap converse shoe box. A visit to Guitar Center and we got a great quality microphone stand, and a pack of guitar chords. We're going to organize another trip to go all together soon. Also sorry for the loss of photos on this blog (there's only 1). We'll upload some of us playing or something soon. Remember to comment on posts...

River Music contest.

A few new songs are really coming together now. Specificly two extremley new and extremely good songs called "Feed on Inspiration" and "Technology in the Mud". We are participating in the River Music Radio contest. When we send in a recording of a song we may have a chance of being played on the radio and getting a record contract for free.

Memorial Day Gig Went Awesome.

We were able to play a gig with 2 sets of 4 songs at our friends house. It was a pretty sick party. Everything went well except for the fact that Daxter wasn't even there. We were filmed so there will be a movie on youtube in maybe a week. We made up two new songs while we were there (before the party) and here they are:
1.crutches & converse
2. the mockies (the mods, the rockers, and the hippies.)

Worship the gods of rock.

Bass in school concert. (post by Mail)

I think we rock pretty hard, but we could use some more practice time. My school concert was tonight. I play the Bass. Daxter plays trumpet because he didn't know we could play string instruments (we couldn't, I'm just special). So anyway the concert was awesome.we actually played music, like the song tequila.

Ok, we're thinking too big...

Even though it is possible we probably won't get a record contract any time soon. It's fun to talk about though. WE JUST GOTTA KEEP ROCKING OUT TO STAY ALIVE!! Anyway, we're planning to play a song at the annual talent show and find a gig in some club around Newbury, MA.

FUNK song. (post by CR)

I've been making a sweet funk song that would go awesome with one of our great bass lines. You pretty much can't do funk without bass and a WAH peddle. That's what all the early RHCP albums are. Funk. We will post when it is in progress.

Doing good.

Hi. Mind the Gap is doing good. There is now a band room in CR's basement. Spent a long time on saturday jamming... and jumping off things blasting the Arctic Monkeys under strobe lights, disco balls and lava lamps. We are working on an awesome intro to a song called "Bailed Out". Peace.

Album Preview.

MIND THE GAP

Mull over this


1. Bailed out
2. Mull over this (prog.)*
3. Mind’s a fray
4. Life’s weird
5. String theory (prog.)
6. In my head (prog.)



*(prog.) = in progress.

Single maybe coming.

We might be able to release a single for one of our best songs. We don't know when it will work out. One of the guitar players is getting an awesome Japanese Strat.

Chance of a Record Contract. (post by CR)

If you thought we already had like 4 albums out you were wrong. We aren't famous or in music store or anything. Aside from that we do have 3 good chances of getting a record contract. We usualy play at the drummers house in the attic but were gonna turn my basement into a great hang out music room. Also there is a new arctic monkeys CD coming out soon. A new CD means a new tour!

We Are Mind The Gap©

This is Mind the Gap's official blog. If you have been on CR N's blog "Mostly Band Stuff'" then you have probably heard of us. CR is the guitar player. The band consists of drums, guitar, bass, and another guitar. Our band email is mind_thegap501@yahoo.com, and mindthegap501@gmail.com. We are from MA. If you are around you may see flyers.