Jonathan Dowman aka Johnny Worm (music, instruments and singing)
Mark Foulkes aka Mark Worm (lyrics and singing)
Chris Steward aka CS Worm (music, beats, programming and atmospheres).
Everything you hear and see here is by us, except where credited otherwise.
Influences
Influential artists of all kinds. Only the ones we like, mind you.
The Worms are in the way of an art project, aimed at satisfying the aesthetic inclinations and urges of it's two inhabitants- namely Mark Foulkes and Jonathan Dowman. Things kicked off, so to speak, in 2005, at which time a cassette with some scratchy guitar lines was posted from Camberwell, South London, to the leafy edges of Reading. A sheaf of poetry travelled in the other direction, and before very long 'The Worms' were born.
We sent out thirty-odd copies of a demo ("Now Look What You Made Us Do"). We got back one rather unappreciative review in a certain 'Spill' magazine. It's parent company has recently gone bust. Right. You can read the review here. "Now Look..."'s best song, "Science Park", remains in rude health as a punkishly-minded folk diatribe regarding industrial parks and conference centres..
We made a second demo ("PsychoGeography") which rather rapidly became outdated by the other material we were secreting at the same time, and now has the strange aura of a worm preserved in aspic.
As time has worn on, we have employed the talents of Ed Rowe (lyricist on "80s", "Shag" and others) and DeathStab (noise-mongers from Lansing, Michigan, who provided "80s" with it's chassis), and continue to do what a professional band biography would describe as 'honing our sound'. In fact, this consists in continually asking the question: "what are we good for?"
This, at times, appears to be very strange folk music, twisted by either it's outre lyrical content (it's always educational to get a form to communicate ideas that it was not created for), or the psychedelic, progressive or punk origins of the music that kickstarted the song's genesis.
We have essayed our work at a number of open mic evenings, both in Reading and London, and more recently been able to inflict ourselves upon London residents at a number of gigs.
The very lovely DJ Sher at homegrownradionj.com kindly played "Kite" on her show recently. Thanks again to her for that. You can find out about her here.
Our most active and constant supporter is the wonderfully deranged Morgan P. Salvo of KPOV 106.7 Radio, Bend, Oregon who has chosen to encourage us by regularly playing our songs on his very eclectic weekly show. This is a splendid mix of old and new psychedelia and other wierdness. catch up with his archived shows here.
In April 2008 we had the great pleasure of recording a session for Mr Ergo Phizmiz's show 'Phuj Phactory' on WFMU. This is archived here. It is a great show ....so give it a listen.
So, the Worm squirms on, trying to think of ways that people with day-jobs and real lives can make music for it's own sake and try it out on the ears of others.
Lots of Worm Love,
Mark and Jonathan.
Below, you can see a video. This footage is from our recent gig at Viva Viva in North London. We are performing 'Shag'. The fabulous lyrics to this song are by our good friend and all-round talented cove Mr. Ed Rowe.
Thanksfor your comments guys. It's really appreciated. Cannae complain about being compared to Crass.......... Check out our latest gig on video at thesealedcupboardsociety. com
Who said there's no such things as a free lunch ? Bedroom Research, Proot and Thiaz Itch give you the complete course for free and don't forget the apperitive.
Knowing that you like our music I thought I'd let you know that we have uploaded 4 new songs in our player, feel free to come listen... They are from our second CD which is now released and should be available in fine record stores close to you
the news songs are most excellent!!! I especially like on peninnis head scilly... I will be playing that one alot--if for no other reason than to say it on the air...keep up the good work.
thanks for stoppin' by and takin' a listen, as well as for the generous feedback. dig ya'lls stuff too. liked our songs about lovin' a hooker and marryin' your sister, huh? lucky you're ridin' through a "sterile" town...this world don't need no more bastards. again, appreciate'ya stoppin' by.
I very much like your page, and your process. Please do feel free to respond to this with something of your own.
I made something for you:
messages fly between these hands a carrier pidgeon or broken spartan nightmail train or tealeaves yesterday you were an old man on great junction street you told me i was a bastard and you were going to kill me
i think you were pissed
today you could be the vibration of the buses rattling my window pain right now you're here you're the crunch of guitars serenading my tinny speakers
broken signals always broken the noise of this life
thank you oh mighty worms, for your hand (so to speak) of friendship.x hear live sessions by the flotsam and jetsam of the folk and country scene
every WEDNESDAY evening from six o'clock until eight gmt (1pm est) re-run on THURSDAY morning at six o'clock (1am est) and SUNDAY afternoons from one o'clock (8am est)
radioreverb.com and 97.2FM (southeast england)
14th, 15th and 18th of November LISA LI-LUND (HERMAN DUNE)
21st, 22nd and 25th of November THE HANDSOME FAMILY
28th, 29th of Nov. & 2nd of December JEFF LEWIS AND THE JITTERS
5th, 6th and 9th of December DOLOREAN
this amazing picture is by daniel... http://www.myspace.com/daniel_hyun_lim
mark worm u are most welcome...glad to hear we are on your mp3 player now!!!I bet thats an interesting soundtrack to cycling through the streets lol!!! love clairo TMH
I read and enjoyed your blog about the End Of The Road festival. I to think Seasick Steve is a monstrously brilliant character. As for your comments on the Super Furry Animals I can almost imagine them now, its a scary thought to be sure :p
Are they glass eyes in the background of your page?
Cheers my vermiform friends :p I'm quite proud of Damiens Boat. It's one of my more organic sounding tracks what with the reversed monk chanting.
All the songs on your page are wildly different from one another, apart from the morose acoustic element obviously. I like that song Shag in particular. It's heart breakingly depressive but the vocal work gives it a maddening forceful sense of humour. Like somebody laughing accidently at a great tragedy.
Thank you very much for sending me a friend request. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but I was 'busy' working on my album. In other words my main problem was money, or the lack thereof ;)
I like you music. I'm listening to 'Kite' as I type. It reminds me of a red eyed bleary version of Of Montreal minus the sugary-sweet playfulness.
Now i've got 'The Murderologist' playing. Its like North Sea Navigator gently replacing his distinct victoriana leanings with a dilapitated folkiness.
thanks for comment. just finding my way around this myspace lark. one day i'll put something up. liking the music - sure i'll get used to the vocals! keep up the good work. maybe see you all soon??? Bx
Thanks for your kind words & cyber-kinship. Love the spartan quality of much of your music-making and its quintessential 'folkiness'. Well done, chaps! More please... xXx ia2iago - Cornwall & Gloucestershire
like the sounds. not sure about falsetto vocals though (though Simon thinks they're fine) but quite liking the rest of it though ie nice arrangements....
