Just back from Bridport where I spent a few days recording some new material - all good. I have now had the Black Girlfriend E.P. all mastered by the marvellous Campbell Downie from the House of Sound - the six tracks sound great, and I can't wait to get them released. A very new DS sound. Whilst I was down in Dorset I went through the hundreds of cassette tapes - some going back to 1977 - that contain all DS output ever. It was a strange experience listening to live gigs, rehearsals and studio recordings - not only the songs, but the out-takes and snippets of conversations from days long gone. The Retrospective project has blossomed - there'll now be 20 songs - but it won't be out until the New Year. All the tracks are going to be digitally re-mastered - and these things take time. Some of the songs I remembered as being good were , to my 2005 ears, not so - and vice -versa. But I've settled on a list 0f 20 - I could have gone to 30 - but no. Keep those others for volume 2, eh.

Here's a funny thing. I was updating the DS Yahoo site - and tried to publish the title of the retrospective release - "I Was A Teenage Disco Student" - but Yahoo wouldn't let me use the word "teen".
Just fancy that.

Preparations for the two Disco Students releases are under way. They will be released on the same day - how about that? Release date - around the end of November. I am currently making my way through hours of tape - from various live dates and studio recordings to pick out any material that should make the retrospective. All most interesting. Thinking of calling the retro record " I Was A Teenage Disco Student".

A sudden burst of activity on the DS front. My Black Girlfriend EP well on the way - cover done - will be out for the end of November. Also on the go - "The Disco Students - A Retrospective" (the rather grand working title, may change that). The Retrospective will contain all eight tracks that were released on vinyl, plus four more never reelased, with two brand new songs to bring things bang up to date.
After six months of much needed rest and recuperation, it's great to get the DS back on track.
I now have the capability to record, produce and release new material in house , so expect a number of new DS releases. All news either here, on the Yahoo group or at discostudents.com

The new Disco Student sound is nearly ready. What's happening is the DS are embracing the new digital world. Oh yes. The new songs will appear on the web - that's as soon as I have tackled the technology, but once that is under control, the plan is to gently release all the new material via the web. First up will be five songs - "Mark E Smith's Dead", "The Most Handsome Man on T.V.", "Black Girlfriend" , "My Secretary" and "Kitchen Sink Disco (23.4.04)".
Exciting, isn't it?