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Due to some startling health issues, we sadly have to announce that we have to pull away from the Life Fries project, for an unknown amount of time. This was a very hard decision to reach. We have been plugging away, but one of us, is not well, and to trudge forward could cause the issues to get worse. Knowing this for a while now, we threw together a compilation of material from throughout the entirety of our 52 years as an art collective/band. We hand picked 10 moments, that we felt best represented all the things we have wanted to achieve. Included are short blurbs about each track, to set the scene for you. We all love you, and hope that in the near future we can return to the very thing that keeps our minds active and potent. Until then, please enjoy these examples of our diligence.
01 – “The First Recording” (Beatles Demo 1969) As titled, this is the very first time the three of us recorded ANYTHING together. We were all in the vicinity of 10 years old, and were very eager to create. Our bond was strong, and our motivation was even stronger. The father of one of our mutual friends, had the capability to record, and offered to drum for us on anything we would like to record. We were ecstatic, and jumped at the opportunity. It was the beginning of the summer of 1969, and we knew we HAD to record our attempt at a Beatles song. After much debate, we chose “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and got to work. To say it was rough, is an understatement. We tried our best. The recording has been digitized, and touched up to make it sound as best as it can, but it is still terrible. We are proud of it though. I played guitar, Barbara played organ, George played bass, and Dennis Reed played the drums and engineered the recording on his reel to reel. Hanny captured it onto his computer, and did the finalizing touches. 02 – “Frontier Blues” (1973) By the time we had reached our early teens, we were recording all the time. Jamming on whatever instruments we could get. Coming up with dozens of jams, every time we got together. This is an example of one of those jams. Completely innocent, barely in tune, or in time, but a genuine fun slice of where we were as kids. I love this material. Even though, for the most part it is poorly executed, and hokey, it still brings smiles to our faces this far into life. We aim to bring that innocence to everything that we create. We hunger for staying youthful and vibrant. This was recorded in the garage of George’s parents.’ Barbara is beating on boxes, totes, and pans. George is playing an old junky pawn shop bass, through an even worse amp, and I am playing my guitar, that NEVER would stay in tune. 03 – “Embrace of a Kelpie” (1979) When I was in college, I took a film making class just for fun, and to fill up my schedule. I had always loved movies but had never tried to make one myself. Well, inevitably, we were asked to make a short film, and I ended up biting off more than I could chew. I had a huge, sweeping epic of an idea, about a romance between a girl, and a mysterious man who turned out to be a kelpie, a water creature from Celtic myth, and their fight against those who would keep them apart. Like “Wuthering Heights,” but with kelpie. Had I had a budget of any kind, maybe I could have accomplished this, but alas, I had just $20, and the help of Timothy and George, who couldn’t have been more encouraging. Unfortunately, and not for lack of trying, it was a disaster. Anything that could have gone wrong did, and all I turned in was a portion of the final scene, where our heroes are finally together, but at what cost? This song is the music I wrote to go over that scene, keyboard captured by tape recorder, and it is the one thing that went right. Someday maybe I can make my epic, but for now, this will have to do. 04 – “Rewind Walk” (1984) George had, what he thought was, a monstrously clever idea to create some tracks of foley work that were going to be used for a Life Fries album. Only he intended to not inform me or Barbara, and just present them as audio recordings to serve as background parts to new songs, just to thicken the songs, only later explaining, that they are themselves another depth of illusion. We had come home early while George was recording, and the whole thing fell apart. This is one such track, before it was captured from cassette. 05 – “Carefree Night Rhythm” (1993) Back in the 90s, there was an explosion of techno/dance music, and I couldn’t get enough of it. Grunge is great, but sometimes you just need to dance. At this time too, I was trying to get out of my introverted comfort zone, and starting hosting small dance parties. At most, there were 8 or 9 of us, flailing in my back yard, just having fun, and laughing. I decided one day that I wanted to try writing a song of my own, and slip it into the music, without telling anyone. The feedback I got was more positive than I could have expected, and I was going to write more, but schedule conflicts caused the party to be canceled too many times, and they puttered out. 06 – “Pithed Ortrfelde” (1999) Barbara, and I were both away visiting our respective families for holiday. George, having had a recent fall out with his immediate family, due to an incredible mistranslation of some old letters between his grandfather and his estranged wife, elected to spend the holiday alone. He picked through some old Life Fries jam recordings, and added bass. He was not in a good mind space, and needed to vent. This was the fifth track of a forgotten fifteen song album, entitled "Waxing Jean". Timothy played keyboard, and Barbara sculpted noise. 07 – “Upright Bass Jam” (2003) A mutual friend of Timothy, George, and I, is a wicked good jazz musician, who can play just about anything. He usually plays drums or rhythm guitar, but always had dreams of playing the double bass. Instruments like that being very expensive, he put that thought on the back burner, hoping one day he could find a way to make it happen. That day finally came, when he was wandering around Boston, waiting to pick up a friend from the airport, and he happened to pass a music store window. There, was a used electric double bass in all its glory, and more importantly, in his price range. Well, needless to say, he snatched it right up, and was grinning like a fool when he was showing it off to us. Once he had worn his fingers to the bone playing it night and day, he let me have a go at it. It was an interesting experience, as I’d never played a real one, but it was a fun experiment. Here is my first attempt at electric double bass. 08 – “ActuaDisto” (2016) Life Fries had ventured fairly deep into the underground New York noise scene back in the mid-80’s. Both in appreciation, and actualization. Even making the occasional appearance preforming; albeit unannounced, and widely unknown. We may, or may not have had an anonymous incarnation of our band, which may or may not have been alluded to in another release on this site. We wanted to call back to the liberating approach we were taking with our music at that time, but with some decades more experience. We got a hold of some party favors we were all taking part in back then, set up our equipment, and let go. This is the header result. 09 – “Tonight, Will Be Tender” (Summer of 2021) We all agreed that this had to be included, for this was the last thing we worked on with Hanny, before he passed away this summer. We had found a cool program online, where we all contributed to creating a dreamy ballad. The sounds were cheesy, but warmed our hearts, and had us all laughing. I tracked some extra acoustic guitar, and George slapped on some electric upright. Hanny had been feeling under the weather, and asked if he could head home, and that we could finish the session tomorrow, adding Barbara’s synth part, she had worked so hard on. Well, needless to say, we never saw Hanny again, he passed away some time in his sleep the following morning. We kept the track the way it was. Cordell was able to export a rough mix for us. This song, helped us make it through the absolutely devastating time. Hanny came up with the name, and joked that it was our foray into New Age music. The man constantly had us doubled over in extreme laugher. We love you Hanny! 10 – “Movement for Static Prisons” (December 2021) To wrap it all up, this is a recording we did on Saturday December 4th, 2021. We did it knowing that it would be the last recording of Life Fries for an unknown amount of time, possibly our last ever. Timothy downloaded a program called MuseScore3, and we each took turns randomly placing notes on the score sheets. We opted for a string quartet. Timothy wrote the two violin parts (he has more understanding of Classical music than George or I). I wrote the viola part, and George wrote the double bass part. We smoked a considerable amount of pot, and began a rolling boil of laughter that lasted through making the entire song. We had no idea what it would sound like, and it was exciting to see these chance guesses turn into a digital piece of music at the end. We are able to say that if this is the end, then so be it, and we are very proud that this could be our final statement musically. We love you all!
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We wanted to wish you all a Happy Thankgiving! We have released our holiday single on bandcamp. Feel free to go check it out and get all turkeyed.
Shortly after I graduated college, I was hospitalized with pneumonia. I have always had very bad asthma, which compounded the whole debacle. I was released after four days, but was bedridden from an additional week. It was, simply put, awful.
I thankfully have always had a very close relationship with my family, and I was well cared for. In fact, one of my younger nieces, Abigail had visited me throughout my recovery. We always bonded on music, and at that point, she had been taking piano classes for a year and a half. She was 16 at the time, and excited to show me what she had accomplished. To cheer me up, she wanted to make an album with me. I was obviously very week, so she came up with the idea to play the left-hand parts, while I only focused on playing the right. We wrote the songs while I was going in and out of sleepy delirium, over the course of that week. Slowly getting better, while she kept me company. She was a life saver for me, and I hope you enjoy these pieces as much as I do. Can you like throwing things?
Do you even like it? Are you competitive with most of your friends, about throwing things, if you like it? Well, do I have a game for you. In our neck of the woods, we call it King of Throwing. There’s even prize. Here are the challenges!!! 1.) First, clean your hand free of debris 2.) Prepare objects to be thrown (smallest to largest, naturally) 3.) List of objects must include a ball of some kind, at least one cloth item, and something the largest. 4.) Establish the course. 5.) Choose a grading system, specific to the group of friends that will be participating. 6.) Remember, it’s about winning. 7.) Winner is decided by us. Send your results, and we will mail you Prize. 8.) Anticipate Prize. Be careful, some objects thrown can go distances, causing issues. Have fun, enjoy. And maybe you will be King of Throwing then. While exploring the City of New York, back in my college years, I came across an old man who lived on the streets. This man changed my approach to life, and my trajectory. He imparted to me, several pieces of wisdom, which I feel, I should share with the world. Here are some. May his words live on, in all of us.
“Placards, not pried. Buildings described, like a leopard of differing proportions.” “Yellow is without skin.” “The dreamers, alongside decrees of space, are both alike, and the same thing.” “I would have the rest. You would have one thousand.” “At least five included in digits depressed.” “You scabs nestled.” “Dreams are acted like.” “The power of the average car, what with engine, and blockade, to stirrup and cell.” “Plastic is not a good source. Negative teat drains me.” “In Auburn”
The day or blueish, a few misty These cap, you timely, dug to Wendy Captain didn’t know your language too well But trench, all sounded perfect and clean I bellowed all my spoons that weekend “Headed Northwest” Burnt coins, singing swimmingly, buckle’s country fair Divide! Directively sweet, sleepy grey canal life The butterflies of July, beheaded Northward bound And only thought, of what they spun Those cruel, and woolish little blackened scamps “In Absolute Collective” Stones shrieked, smoke of yesteryear are gone Only the bark of vein, and lace Still linger like furry, like dim broaches Held my head oceanic today, and bled Felt that whinnying best destroyed me waking “I Went in the Hallway” Kettle corked, like a veil stemming change Its wildest tanner, pouring tiles, feathered walkways I turn away, just in Vrill, decided Board of hinder, bind, befoul, adjust dreamily Sarah’s forearm brushed whenst palisades I’ve hated “Cord” Weathered bench, rotted by Tomorrow’s yellowing storm I am still then, whittling onto them A thermos, a pair, fiddled like refuse Into a dumpster, with older fine outcroppings My fingers tracing circles on her leather Play for Bird with Circulation
Have you ever wanted to have fun with a play? We here at Life Fries, have constructed a play for you to take part in. You can write the dialogue for character 5. Have fun and enjoy this, as best you can. Characters Ben Hinkley - A well dressed, and nobly behaved printing press worker Molly Finn - An uppity, and youthful horseshoe salesman Skip McDougal - The local grocer, with a penchant for mischief Bird with Circulation - Androgynous finch, collared with shame. Ideally, between the height of 5’1’’ and 5’6’’ Dillon Bertrand - Onlooker, very reserved, yet angular A Crowd of Shoppers - A crowd of shoppers. 32% of which are disgruntled Act 1, Scene 1 A park, non-descript and vibrant. It is half past 3, the fountain is broken. All players are on stage Ben: You’d think by now that this fountain would be fixed. [Stamps foot] Bird: [Turns towards Ben, opens beak silently] Crowd: [About 32% disgruntled murmurs, otherwise bustling] Skip: Yeah, right? Almost like someone is messing with it [Sly side-eye] Dillon: __________________________________________________________ [Tearfully] Skip: Why would you say that, Dillon? Ben: Yeah Dillon, that was thoughtless and crass. Remember when Mom would tell you to work on your tact? Haven’t been doing that, have you? Bird: [Turns to Dillon, closes beak, ruffles feathers] Dillon: __________________________________________________________ [Apologetically] Skip: It’s fine, man. I forgive you. That reminds me, I was thinking about starting a new hobby, and I know how much you love scrapbooking, and thought maybe you could help me out. I’m no good with scissor, as you know, not since the war, and would really appreciate it. You had expressed that you and I should hang out more, and this seems like it would be a great friendship building experience. Whad’ya think? Bird: [Hurries over to crowd, and snatches newspaper from one person’s hand. Brings newspaper over and drops it at the feet of Ben.] Crowd: [Continues bustling. Singular crowd member exclaims “That’s my paper!” and nonchalantly picks up another.] Ben: Thanks Bird with Circulation! Just what the doctor ordered! Dillon: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [In jealous rage] Crowd: [In unison] Grow up! Bird: [Casually licks its beak] Crowd: [Returns to 32% disgruntled, and collectively continues bustling] Bird: [Reminisces about youthful nest fun, laughs to itself, and begins ignoring everyone.] Ben: What’s going on with Bird with Circulation? He seems captivated in the moment. He used to do this a lot when we were in school together. Crazy card! I sure do wish he was better at paying attention. We’ll be in the middle of something, and he’ll just lock off in a gaze, and we’ll wonder what’s going on in his little pea brain. Is he thinking about the betterment of life? Is he thinking about his future children? Is he trying to find a way for Dillon to have more tact? I’m not exactly sure, but I think it might be something like that. [Drops pencil the ground] Crowd: [The disgruntled crowd member shout in unison] Off! Ben: You couldn’t be more right, crowd. I think we all wonder what it is like to be Bird with Circulation. Skip: Did I leave the gas on? Molly: [Quietly] Bird? [meanders into crowd, continuing to move through out] Dillon: _____________________________________________________________ [Quietly] Skip: You know once, in the war, I left the gas on. Mother was furious. [Looks off pensively] Ben: I don’t have a mother or gas anymore. I didn’t even need a war to get that. [Braggadociously] Crowd: [32% Disgruntled, in unison] It’s not, we’re not it’s. [Remaining crowd, in unison, simultaneously] They are not, they are not, it’s. Ben: Wow, look at the starlight. Have you ever seen anything like it? We’ve been here quite a while, apparently. [Looks up in astonishment] Dillon: ______________________________________________________________ [Like a weatherman] Bird: [Awakes from its daze. Picks up pencil Ben dropped, and hands it to Skip.] Skip: How dare you give me this. Ben: Bird with Circulation! That’s my pen! [With exasperation] Skip: Only because you stole it from me! [Sinister laughter, climbs up a building] Molly: [returns from the crowd] [softly spoken] I have witnessed the eventual death of the universe. I have witnessed stars formed eons before the light of your Sun, exhale their dying exhalation of being, amidst scratching formless black beings of empty. You are all projections of a cataclysm. A noose. A bent screeching widow in a fathomless gain. [approaches the fountain] I will have two please. Merrill.
He was a boy that lived down the road from me. On the far end, closer to town. He was cute. We used to play together. He was actually the only kid who played with me, outside of our neighborhood get togethers. We all had regular meet ups, where about 12 of us would gather and play, and ride our bikes, and be silly. Be children. The boys of the group, were always needing proof it seemed. Like I couldn't keep up with them on my bike. Or as if I wasn't as good as then at catching fish. This was of course ridiculous. I was just as good as any of them. It was still a chore to know I was always the "girl" of the group, first and foremost. Anyways, he wasn’t like them. Merrill and I spent a lot of time together. We got along right as rain. Better than even. Merrill was my best friend. I thought we were going to grow old together. He didn't though. Always said it wouldn't happen, but he liked me just fine still. I always passed it off, as a boy being a boy. He would grow up to want to grow old with me eventually. One day a couple of kids from the neighborhood get togethers visited me at my house. John, and Everett. I didn't like them. They were always very rude to me. They put tar in my hair once, and I had to be sheered like a sheep by my mom. We, did not get along well. My mom told me to not shy away from bullies, though. So, I still continued to play with them when all of the children met up. When I saw them outside, I went to meet them without a lick of fear. Well, maybe a little. They were picking on me almost immediately. I had very dark freckles when I was a child, and they were more than happy to let me know. We threw names back, and forth for about 10 minutes. Then I saw Merrill. He hopped off his bike in a fluid motion, and ran up to us. He started shouting at them then. They ignored him. I didn't think anything odd of it until when Everett called me a tramp, and took a swing at me for a remark I make about his uneven eyes. I had never seen anything like it before. Merrill leaped into Everett's body. Everett pulled his punch. Then swiftly beat the snot out of John. Everything happened so fast then. John started crying through a bloody nose. Everett started crying. Seemingly terrified at what he was doing but unable to stop. When he did finally stop, it was when Merrill left him. Became himself in look and appearance again. The boys ran away in different directions, and from what I hear never quite patched things up. Merrill and I were just fine, though. Right as rain. |
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