Eddie McKenzie (vocals, guitar, bass, playstation, harmonica, piano, xylophone, timpani)
with:
Greg Drysdale (drums , stylophone, saxophone 1998 - 1999, 2003 - 2006), Les Makin (piano, guitar 2004 - 2005), Alex Irvine (guitar, harmonica 1997 - 1999, 2004), Ross Cunningham (bass , guitar 2001-2002, 2004), Alan Shields (bass 1997), Clare Scougall (backing vocals 2004), Jenni Simpson (backing vocals 2004), Neil Hathaway (violin 2004), Carlo Madden (trumpet 2004)
Influences
A House, Aberfeldy, Adam & The Ants, Ryan (not Bryan) Adams, Richard Ashcroft, The Associates, Badly Drawn Boy, Beck, Belle & Sebastian, Brendan Benson, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blondie, Blur, David Bowie, Jacques Brel, Bright Eyes, Buzzcocks, Byrds, Calexico, Captain Beefheart, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, Clash, jimmy Cliff etc.
The International Pop Assassins are my reaction to the mundanity of my own life, to a lack of creative vision, and to the inevitable ageing process. The "band" is me, Eddie McKenzie, along with whoever is lying around at the time. I try not to repeat myself, and I try to push my own limited ability and expectations. I am not scared of pop music, and I do insist that it can be thrilling, emotional, energetic, intelligent, sexual and stupid at the same time.
I started the band in 1997 just after my previous two acts (The Sublimes & The Diesel Kings) had fallen to bits through lack of vision, energy and money. The first thing we did was to record our debut single ("My Plan To Be A Genius") on four track and release it on 7 inch vinyl, a format which NO-ONE listened to in those days. At this time I was helped by Alex Irvine on guitar. The single was played by John Peel a few times and was Steve Lamacq's "Single Of The Week". But we were too stupid and stubborn to follow this up. In 1999 Grant paterson (bass) & Greg Drysdale (drums) allowed us to play a few live dates, and I released an internet only single, "When She Rains", oddly enough via an Arab Strap website. Then I went into hibernation through lack of inspiration.
2003 saw me re-emerge with the purchase of a digital 8-track recorder, and I set about recording four season themed singles ("Spring", "Summer", "Fall" and "Winter"). I used friends to play the parts that I couldn't (or wouldn't), people like Greg Drysdale (drums / stylophone / saxophone), Les Makin (piano / guitar), Alex Irvine (harmonica), Clare Scougall & Jenni Simpson (backing vocals), Ross Cunningham (guitar / bass), Carlo Madden (trumpet) & Neil Hathaway (violin). These singles were gathered together on my debut album, "Three Miles", which I released early in 2006.
International Pop Assassins's Friend Space (Top 4)
Helloooo! Thanks for the cd, I cannot wait to listen to it,but I'm going to wait till the right time so I can savour it! I've been thinking so much about our art school studio days lately, I miss you dearly! lots of love to you and your lovely clan. xx
As you may know by now, The Falkirk Wall's Official website launches on March 1st.
As part of the site, there is a music forum for artists and bands to leave messages related to the music scene in Falkirk. I've decided to launch the music forum approx. 4 weeks before the site launch to get things moving along.
You have to sign up for the forum.
Check it out at: http://thefalkirkwall.forumotion.com/
happy new year! we're currently filling up our calendar for january/february as we're running a special introductory rate for those two months only of £300/3 days or £600/week including engineers fees (our normal rate will be £150/day). we offer 16-track analogue recording, a range of valve amplifiers, tape delay and spring reverb units, plus protools/logic editing capabilities. contact us for studio availability. x the green door studio
International Pop Assassins
Underneath Skin Pages
(Seminal)
Apparently written using the Bowie/Burroughs cut-up lyric method, what this means is a slice of indiepop with an Elvish sneer and the swagger of Robbie W. That and lyrics like “Immorality, immortality, all the same to me” show that the scissors weren’t entirely wasted. [CC] %%%
New issue available now, with Idlewild, Biffy Clyro, Aereogramme, Future Pilot AKA, Aidan Moffat, The Royal We, Malcolm Middleton, The Rapture, Kid Canaveral, Howling Bells, Black Wire, The Primary 5, & Say Dirty Records plus FREE 12-track CD!
Wow Derek, the muffin man story is really crazy! Perhaps your house was build on the site of an old bakery or something, very strange!
And no I don't have any of the latest cd's, not even the Christmas single, so send them pronto!!
I hope you are all well!
lots of love
Kate
Nice tunes eddie. really like if i could reach out, very sound indeed. hope all is well with you. just finished recording my kinda album, if u want a wee copy drop me ur address and il post you a copy. take it easy.
Hello you!
Of course I'd be honoured to provide you with some artwork for your latest masterpiece!
When would you like it by?
Finn and I are coming over from the 20th of Sept - the 12th of Oct!! we are so excited!
Can we come and stay with you for a couple of days?
Thanks for adding, and I hope that the drum mixes are OK.
Been playing woman and her ghosts at work today cause the boss is away. It was well received by my work mates and they didn't believe that you'd recorded it yourself.
Les.
Hellooo You,
i just thought you'd like to know that your music has been helping me paint, paint, paint! and bringing back lots of happy memories of days when we were closer.
Those days will come again, in September... .hooray!!
Be warned there's going to be a lot of bad singing happening in your living room!
love to you and your beautiful family
xx
