Etc in KOKO's Top 3 (and at the end of 2008)

A nice way to end a year: find yourself in good company in KOKO's charts (as seen at www.kokoasia.com); and then play a gig with friends on New Year's Eve.





STRAITS RECORDS PRESENTS: GOODBYE BALI, HELLO 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 8:00pm
traits Records / 22 Bali Lane (near Bugis MRT) Singapore
ALL AGES. Entry: $5

Etc's favourite friendly local music emporium signs off on 2008 and kickstarts 2009 with notably no-bull gig - the last show to be held at the Straits Mates' Bali Lane HQ (before they move to North Bridge Road tomorrow). Band order puts us on after Pinholes... talk about bringing the party down. Maybe we'll switch and steal one of them to play that Etc song they cover.

• Straits Records' GUEST BAND
• Tactic Area TACIT ARIA
• THE PINHOLES
• ETC we're scheduled for 10pm
• AMATEUR TAKES CONTROL
• THE ZOZI

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Last Christmas I gave you my heart etc

Etc is pleasantly surprised to be berated for not posting aftershow reports on recent gigs. Due to this and similar comments from others (with valid excuses for not-attendance): Ben's been trying to piece together what Etc ended up playing on Christmas Eve 2008 at Prince of Wales.

-> Harvey was calling the shots re: most of the songs played. Almost every name he announced took Ben by surprise.
-> Most audience members' requests were granted. But why they expected Ben to check SMS mid-gig? No idea.
-> There was a request for "James Blunt". Ben: "Is that the name of a song?"
-> Hoped to play BRING ME MY DUNCE'S CAP. Thought it might amuse Etc-pal Des - the Tom Waits fan.
-> Forgot to play FARE DODGER. Maybe just as well since it might break the windows.

Almost correct order (corrections welcome):

• WILL UNTIL (DON’T EVER NEVER) i will love you until i don't, and if i can't it don't mean i won't
• BIG GIRL’S BLOUSE how can you expect to find your feet when you've so many pairs of shoes
• JUST A DREAM i'm hoping for the best when i should expect the worst
• SHELVES leave the women bitching in the kitchen son
• DUMB WAITER i think that i got what your last servant died of
• MALAYSIAN TRUCKS i know people in Ipoh
• GUILTY PARTY you've been hurting behind net curtains
• LUFTGUITAR god's lost movie rushes shown on the sky
• LAID some bloody valentine this is
• BUNGALOW my bed's unmade and i feel the same
• I’M WITH STUPID dum-dum-dum dumb down
• STUPID SUPERMARKETtears in her eyes and booze on her breath
• ASTROGAL do do do
• SUPERHERO, INCOGNITO my grandma says i'm the bastard son of someone famous but won't tell me who because it won't save us
• UNSURPRISED ETC a heart broken by sheer boredom
• DANCING TO THE SMITHS she cut out the lyrics from Smash Hits back in 1986
• HANDPHONES ON THE DANCEFLOOR you send me semi-colon and a capital P
• PETER PANIC oh my track-tied maiden, never mind the chains
• NOTHING LIKE EXPECTATION things never work out the way you intend, but things always work out in the end

Also in there somewhere several attempts at SILENT NIGHT - especially after it became the 25th.

Etc has since been asked to join a fab bill for tomorrow night's New Year's Eve bash at Straits Records featuring: AMATEUR TAKES CONTROL, ETC, THE PINHOLES, TACIT ARIA and THE ZOZI. They're moving shop the next day. Shame.

Etc's Christmas Cracker goes from 10pm till then again

above: Etc and Roger at Baybeats 2006, plotting a Christmas gig 2½ years away

10pm. That's the time Etc is now scheduled to play at on Christmas Eve (Wed, Dec 24, 2008). This is at P.O.W. - The Prince of Wales 101 Dunlop Street, Little India, Singapore - where your faithful duo of Crooked Caroler Harrison and Harvey the Little Drummer Boy are on till round midnight, providing a heartfelt antidote to the season's insincere caroling and crass commercialism.

Hopefully no one will complain that these Merrie Gentlemen have so far made no plans to feature anything remotely seasonal in their set. Nor can they confirm the role of Vinita will be. Poor lass is recovering from denge, a malady Doctors recommend is best shaken with a shot of Etc action. She said she'll be there (to watch) but will she have strength to pick up the bass to play any reunion numbers with the chaps? Like Etc says: "Don't ever 'never'..."

What is certain: this is the last installment of 2008's "Etc: Play for Pals" trilogy* - an ongoing series of gigs held when long-absent Etc-friends return to Singapore and are invited to help pick the songs Etc play. The gigs double-up as informal reunions. It works. No faffing with schedules. Come if you can. Stay in the garden if you don't like the music. Previous Play for Pals shows were held for ex-Etc band members Vinita and Ping. And it was good.

This gig's guest of honour is Roger(pictured on this page next to Ben). He earned the honour by being Toa Payoh's top Etc enthusiast, backing vocalist and dancer, and was sorely missed when he moved to London. Fresh off Santa's sleigh from London (via Thailand), this is the prefect time to say hello to this very nice gentleman. And if you don't want to do that, you can still rock and bop to whatever Etc psychopop will be pulling out of their sack of it.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Etc activity in 2009 :: Esplanade Gig #09 Dream

A free gig scheduled before a not-free concert by Canada's STARS: "Etc turns down the volume to explore their unique songbook at The Esplanade with the first of two rare unplugged shows. Touted by local media as being the 'most literate' (sic) act playing in the region, Etc will draw from their extensive catalogue to play "semi-acoustic" versions and ambient reinterpretations of their bittersweet –sometimes witty– songs across two intimate sets."

A recent performance of 'Dancing to The Smiths' (and some complementary things about Etc) can be seen here: http://pcqq.blogspot.com/2008/12/smitten-by-nostalgia-dancing-to-smiths.html

Etc has a myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/abcdetc

Thank you.