User:Ged Johnston/sandbox

FILM STAR KILLERS, BY GED AND THE WAKE
FILM STAR KILLERS IS AN ALBUM BY GED AND THE WAKE. GED AND THE WAKE ARE AN INDI, FOLK, ROCK, CELTIC PUNK BAND. FORMED IN BRISTOL IN 2000, BY FRONT MAN GED, TOM AND CO. PAUL JOHNSON MASSIVE ATTACK, AND COLLABORATING WITH MANY MUSICIANS, THROUGHOUT LONDON, AND EUROPE, AND THE STATES. GED FORMALY FROM EDINBURGH BAND THE CRINGE, AND MANY MORE. FILM STAR KILLERS, IS AN ANTI WAR SONG, THAT WAS THE FRONT SONG FOR THE ALBUM.

HISTORY.

Ged Johnston, born in Edinburgh Scotland, worked his way through many bands, enjoying the music. Moved to London, at 16, but was bouncing between there, Europe, and Edinburgh. before he went to uni in Bristol, and met up with Tomy boy Smyth, and formed Ged and the wake.

The name Ged and the wake, came out of pure laziness, and being too stoned, that when Ged went to book the bands first gig, the venue, asked the name of the band, after been jamming for months on end, didn’t even have one, so had to book it under, Ged's name, so it was just (Ged) the band, for about a year, as the band still couldn’t be bothered thinking. Then one of the members, suggested the wake, which was a catchy name, but were well known as Ged by this time, so we all met half way, and came up with (Ged and the wake), not that Ged even wanted his name on there, but could not be arsed messing about.

Toured world wide, recorded over 22 albums, 17 EPs, which are still coming out at some point, just enjoyed touring really, so its about time we concentrated on getting more of the albums out now, although, there are thousands of freebies, bootlegs, kicking around, all over the shop.

Ged, and the wake,have been on the go, for about 13 years, with Ged, taking some time out, after drinking 36 Ltrs of Booze every day,(NO JOKE) and the rest. Ged is T Total now, and Still Rocking, and also doing solo stuff, and collaborations. The band have so many albums to concentrate on releasing, that the touring is here there and everywhere, whenever, which was a solo album, of both acoustic sessions, and the band. Has backed up, many big acts, when they first kicked off, they Never made much money, as you don't in this business at first, but that is what its all about, and didn't matter, as long as they were out and about. The band had there fair share of ups, and downs, throughout the years, with so many guitarists, and bass players, coming in and leaving, up to 17 bass players, and 20 lead guitarists, keyboard players the lot. Never split up though, just took a break, and went back to their roots, keeping it simple.

Film Star killers, was Originally, released in 2008, but had problems, with a certain record company, banning it, saying it was to political, and aggressive, which was Bull Shit. As the Album, was straight to the point, on the feelings, of most people, out there at the time, of the Iraqi war, and was an anti War, song, and anti Gov song, which was the opposite really, was saying Hate Politics, and War, Love Music. Still, came over this problem, and released it in 2012, with other tracks, and bonus ones, that were on there. This is the type of song, that will always be profound in the world, and in these times. The track was written, and composed, in 10 minutes flat, and recorded the next day. Most of Ged and the Wakes, albums, only took a few days to record, with them sleeping in the studios, and going right through the nigh sometimes, Done and Dusted. As one Fan called it, Raw, Amazing, Gutter Blues, Fair enough.

The first Film Star killers Tour, was all over the UK, Ireland, Europe, and other country's, lasting about a year.

(REVIEW)

Review by Laura Jade Twist for www.thisisnottv.co.uk (Fleece Gig) Bristol Boys are Living The Dream. Described by their Scottish leader as 'Celtic Punk,' tonight's openers Ged and The Wake blend the essence of 1970's classic punk bands like The Damned, The Ramones, and even early Misfits, with the metal influence of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, and roll it up into a visceral delight.

Opening with 'Born To Drink' they soon get the crowd moving – not an easy task as the first band of the night – but nevertheless the crowd that's arrived so far lap it up. With frenetic guitar riffs and a choking chorus spat out by street-punk singer Ged, they capture the real spirit of punk rock tonight.

Film Star Killers, gets its first live outing – sung with sincerity and conviction, ("Puppet masters, Film Star Killers…"), and put together with experience and skill, its clear that this is the direction that Ged and The Wake will take in order to become something far more special than they already are.

Plus the fact that throughout the set, George W. Bush has been peering out across the audience from a poster taped up onto the backdrop, with the words "World's Number One Terrorist" blaring above him. Dedicating their final track to the American leader, Ged smirks with that acerbic political fire that has fuelled many a punk band before them, and bursts into 'Filmstar Killers,' a brutal tirade against today's corporate society. Punk's not dead after all.

The problem for next band Luscious Ricky's is that they're playing to the wrong crowd. The majority of tonight's audience have been pumped up by the punk of the previous band and are arriving in full force for tonight's Guns n' Roses inspired headliners, and many don't seem at all interested in the sound that this act are pushing out.

For the few 'trendy' students who turn up, and then subsequently leave when the band's set is over, it's somewhere to be seen. Or should that be 'scene'? Dancing like they've never been to a rock venue in their lives, those who enjoy it won't be persuaded otherwise. To the rest of us, it's simply fashionable indie-pap, being played albeit extremely tight and together, but nevertheless sounding like just about everything else at the moment.

The vocalist's chaotic 'knees and elbows' robot-dancing is entertaining, for a while, but draws too much attention away from the actual musicians who, for their age deserve all the recognition they get. It's their guitarist who gives them the distinctive sound and pace that would potentially set them apart from other bands, and adds something special to the set with his unusual technique of playing at the top of the fret board rather than over the actual pickups.

They're an enjoyable support band, and seem to be gathering a good following. However, if they're going to contend with the likes of current indie-trend clogging up the charts they're going to have to work their little butts off.

Tonight's headliners however are on fire. Advertised as a 'Youthful Bristol foursome plying sounds not a million miles from 'Appetite…' era Guns N' Roses,' Mild Peril don't disappoint.

Bringing with them a tremendous following (who all hilariously come in fancy dress this evening) the band rip through tracks from their new 'Live The Dream' EP, and leave us gagging for more.

With amazing riffs and solos you don't ever want to end, guitarists Johnny Steel and Steve Rockwell are a dynamic duo as powerful as the Young brothers, and with more stage presence than Bruce Dickinson. Blistering through songs with such confidence and ease, the boys create a jaw-dropping, mosh-tastic spectacle that most bands only dream of doing at this point in their career.

When you're down the pub on a Wednesday evening moshing to a phenomenal cover of Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid,' with a giant banana on your right and Fred Flinstone to your left, you know you've either had to much to drink, or you're having an awesome night. Thankfully for me, it was the latter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ZppXqkd18

http://www.nme.com/nme-video/youtube/id/gAwwKQX2LoY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAwwKQX2LoY

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0087B89SE

(C) CRINGE RECORDS