becky bonka blogs bad terrorists

A Bad Terrorist croons at The Bull

2008-11-21T09:22:00.000-08:00

The entertainments host at the Bull on Wednesday night didn't know what to say about Bob's performance.

One man and his homemade accoustic guitar crooning 'Mystery Train" a Drug Co. song about jealous love followed by a Bob's stylised version of a track from the musical 'Grease'.

Fans of the Bad Terrorists filthy Rock n' Roll listened to Bob's passionate performance with wide eyes and dropped jaws, what is going on ?

... A Bad Terrorist playing covers from a musical with Bob standing absolutely still (that's definately a first) and singing in earnest into the mic with his eyes closed and lips puckered up to the microphone that made his voice purr loudly, hmmm, a very soulfull and intriguing performance, 'I think we'll do a 'Grease' evening next week blurted out the promoter over the claps and cheers of the punters.

Barry getting ready for gig a@ Park Hotel, Wivenhoe

2008-05-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

ZAP POW goes wild in Wivenhoe

2008-05-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

As predicted Bob and ZAP POW went wild in Wivenhoe much to the delight of the crowd from Essex Uni with an unscripted song that went something like this: -

"you can find us at MYSPACE://.com//badterrorists::////@.myspace//.com@myspace.myspace.com::/ ..." and so it went on and on and on until Bob and ZAP POW became confrontational with a scantily clad girly who claimed it to be herspace - MYSPACE - sang Bob and the one string, " no it's MYSPACE" retorted the girly ... and here she is, claiming the stage with her friends in Bob's space... ...again: this time singing along to "Fucking hate traffic wardens", or something like that.

ZAP POW at the Cider Festival

2008-05-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

Bad Terrorists are back at Unit One for Monday night rehearsals. Knobhead has been using the rehearsal space and time to try out the 2 new guitars he has made this month. Barry has invested in a set of metal brushes - great sound Barry, Bruce has had the hole in the bull fiddle patched up and it sounded great with the spoons on Thursday evening. Bob, as well as breaking in the new built guitars and breaking strings on old guitars has taken one of last year's creations off the wall and out to gigs...

Yes, the star shaped one string ZAP POW guitar made from chip board from B&Q, (I know because I carried across town on the back of my bicycle). The one string guitar has a profound effect on Bob's performance: he gets inspired by the feisty little one string guitar to make up lyrics and music of the moment, Bob and ZAP POW get transported into frenzied lead solos using the pointy bits of the body to smash the foot pedals and create some grating classic feedback by waving the ZAP POW in front of the speaker, it looks like the guitar has a life of its own, like a wild puppy pulling at the leash it plays around and entices the guitarist to engage in its madness leaving Bruce and Barry behind Bob and ZAP POW are a crazy and unpredictable union. The power of the performance at the Railway Tavern Cider Festival at the weekend stirred some cider swilling fans to scramble up onto the stage to get closer to the action, luckily Wendy intervened with excellent crowd control skills and order was restored and the show went on, Bob being oblivious to the goings on as he belted out a song about drinking cider, it was intoxicating and infectious performance.

So, cheers to ZAP POW and I fear he may be taking it to the Gig in Wivenhoe this evening I wonder what Bob and ZAP POW will be making a racket about this time.

Loud and feisty at the Railway Tavern

2008-03-24T01:52:00.000-07:00

Local artist Ben Quail captured the spirit of the gig at the Railway Tavern in Brightlingsea at the Weekend. Bruce on the left of the picture with slicked back hair and freshly trimmed beard used his latest purchase: a white pedal that makes an echoey, wah wah sound, Barry is centre of the picture holding a stick and looking very jolly, Bob on the left looking feisty and furious and completely unperturbed as the landlord leapt onto the stage to look for the source of the burning smell that was filling the room. OOPS, Ben's jacket, pictured over the sketch had caught fire!

Bob and Dylan

2008-03-04T01:22:00.000-08:00

After standing in the corner in a contemplative state Bob retreated to the kitchen on his birthday bash and took comfort in the blamange, Vol au Vents and sponge cake while Dylan played his guitars and the band bashed out Dylan James' hit songs.

Then order was restored, the jamming continued until the wee small hours, Bob resumed his position with the band, the volume was turned up, including a resounding bass line from Bruce and energy was running high; playtime ended with grating distortion from Rob's Mandolin as he rammed it up against the speaker while Bob on rythm was hitting the speaker with his guitar, Mike was rocking on the sofa and beaming Barry bashing the drum kit in the corner of the living room while a collection of friends and groupies were by then horizontal by the fireside blissed out with the music.

Bruce goes Shopping

2008-02-09T11:13:00.001-08:00

Bruce celebrated his now massive spending power by going shopping...

"That's not a Rickenbacker" Bob mused.

Bruce engaged with his new acquisition immediately, he stroked and caressed the woodwork before getting the feel of the enormous strings under his fingers; he soon began to pick at one of the long, chunky strings: it vibrated under his finger work with a deep rumbling sound. Before long he was plucking tunefully, eyes closed and rocking with his instrument, by this time Bob had joined in with rhythm guitar, "it feels like a dance partner..." OK Bruce, um... dinner's ready. Then Barry arrived and a drum line was added as the house filled up with supporters for the evening's Bad Terrorist gig at Bob's local.

Oddly,that was the last we heard of the Bull fiddle that evening: Bad Terrorists played with squeaky Mike and Rob the eagle at the Foresters and although the physical form of the double bass was much admired, sadly the sound was lacking, 'Turn it up Bruce" yes, we all agree, a stunning instrument, looks good with the beard, makes a great sound too and we'd all like to hear it.

Bad Terrorists prepare for W.M.D.

2008-02-03T03:06:00.000-08:00

photo by Haggis Chick

World Mating Day is approaching...

Bob had a phone call from Terry asking the Bad Terrorists to play for his birthday party at the Fox and Fiddler. Bob declined on the grounds that Feb. 4th will be world mating day, a day to find a mate and spend the day in bed 'a world annual event, a loving moment of dissent' goes the song, 'Find a mate wait and see everyones talking about WMD'. Well actually they're not Bob, when Bonka explained to her employer that she wouldn't be available for work on Feb. 4th because she'd be spending the day in bed in order not to produce or consume - a symbolic revolutionary stand/lie down against capitalist culture - anyway, the employers hadn't even heard of World Mating Day!

Barry gets dazzled by the bright lights of the city.

2008-01-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

The Bad Terrorists set off last Thursday evening for a trip to London to play in an acoustic punk night at the Unicorn in Camden, (Possibly Barry's first trip to the London for several years). Bruce was still in Christmas mode and was spending some quality time with Beth and Sophie so Bad Terrorists were reduced to an accoustic duo; Barry with brushes on the snare and Bob with his favourite electric guitar, the red one that matches his shoes.

Barry and Bob played the old favourites to the London crowd "sick bastards!" yelled the promotor of the evening "when can you come back!" We all collected badges from the other bands, Steve White had some great songs mostly about food and there was a guy with some cool songs which he sang with passion and a group from Leicester with a memorable song about having sex with bubble wrap but they were afraid they'd get lynched in Leicester for any association with Bob's 'Maybe, maybe, maybe the McCann's ate their baby'song.

Bad Terrorists' swag didn't sell Bob was talking of having some badges made in the car on the way back to Colchester while Barry was awe struck by the bright lights of the city and the red, blue and yellow stage lights that had struck the stage for him at the unicorn.

Bob makes the headlines

2007-12-19T15:13:00.000-08:00

Bob's preparations for a trip to London involved pasting his headline onto boards as promotion for the 'Maybe, maybe, maybe' song...
"Well, that's one way of getting rid of the evidence I suppose," commented a housemate as he tip-toed around the sawdust on the floor to unload the washing machine.

Friday Night at the Railway Tavern, Brightlingsea

2007-12-18T04:34:00.000-08:00

Barry playing with the very lively and tuneful local talent.

The Bad Terrorists agreed to play on Friday night at the Railway Tavern, Brightlingsea. Their enthusiasm for the venue was no doubt influenced by the really great tasting 'Crab and Winkle Mild' brewed on the premises; the stage consits of great vats of bubbling beer sitting under a glitterball in front of an open fire; the pub has something for everyone in the Bad Terrorists; good beer for Bob, a glitterball for Barry and an open fire for soilman - Bruce on Bass.

But the Bad Terrorists were not alone, they were joined on stage by Mike whose astonishing lead guitar perfomances allowed Bob to focus on the lyrics, ham up his performances and practise his rock God poses, (arms stretched out and up, head back, eyes rolling) so 'WMD' -World Mating Day- was sung with Gospel style body language... Oh God! All for Terry whose birthday is Feb. 4th, so he claims. Anyway, the Bad Terrorists' songs were uplifted by Rob on electric mandolin from the Forresters Blues Band. Together they produced a rich and melodic sound, acclaimed by the audience to be reminiscent of early Pink Floyd, not the first time Bob has been compared to Syd Barret.

The Bad Terrorists were followed by several other great acts who were all happy to have a drumline added to their music, Barry ended up on stage all evening... behind the bands, at the back, uh, um. Nevermind Barry, one day you'll shine through as for now just sit on your bum and beat your drum, we love it and so did the crowd at the Railway Tavern. The evening wound up with 8 musicians on stage... directed by Terry of the Forresters Blues Band, it seems that good beer bodes well for a good time.

green bob in black and white

2007-11-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

Check this link for a sharp picture of Bob taken at the Green Fair gig.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicmcphee/2040968396/

Thumbs up from Jan the Fan

2007-11-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

Bad Terrorists played for 'Jan the Fan'. The songs were stylised to cover up the absence of the Hymn book...and without the Hymn book Bob had trouble remembering all the words:a groovy instrumental version of 'headbolt' was played reggae style which annoyed Bruce. Bob chose not to sing the words to his latest song 'Maybe, Maybe, Maybe the McCanns ate their baby' in front of a live audience; instead the audience shuddered to a chilling instrumental version that was quite disturbing enough for a Sunday afternoon. The Doggy song was also cut from the set list in case it upset Lola, Jan's black dog. But 'It's a problem' sounded great, a suitably dreamy and floaty version was played, Bruce of course was rooted to the floor with his eyes closed throughout and it was undeniably Jan's favourite tune of the afternoon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUdSfaYj9F8

Bad Terrorists at the recording studio

2007-11-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

Bob, Bruce and Barry splashed out on a day at the recording studio. They loaded up the drum kit and a selection of Bob's favourite homemade guitars, headed down brook street, turned right at the mini roundabout, over the river with the broken lights, took a right at the next even smaller roundabout, first left, followed by a sharp right past all the kids and the Mums and Dads at 'Rollerworld', the van then trundled under the railway line past Mannicks mechanics to Unit One and here they are...
actually this is the band having a tea break, They did take a break even though Bob was very insistent that all 22 tracks could be recorded by 5pm - Adrian doing the mixing wasn't so sure, 4/5 was more usual he told Bob - so, having set up and got themselves ready they went in to the studio and blasted one track after the next into the mics, only hindered slightly by me tripping over wires and bumping into a mike stand in the middle of Abigail Ybarra take 5. My sister was there as a token audience and statutary groupy and she jiggled away in the corner to her favourite tracks and didn't knock anything over.
Adrian needed to go home at 5 so the set list had to be cut short, but 17 tracks were recorded including a version of 'Maybe Maybe Maybe the McAnns ate their baby' and the best version ever of 'I'm a drummer in a rock n'roll Band', one of Barry's songs.

knobhead's ode to pickups

2007-11-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

Bob is making yet another guitar...

As Bob was drawing the shape for yet another guitar he contemplated all its parts; the neck that would be cut and hand carved from a chunk of rare mahogony, he muses over a variety of head shapes, whether to stick with traditional designs or something more radical, and then there's the question of pickups: Bob went off on one about pickups; Bareknuckle pickups, humbuckers, and about the number of times each wire is wound round the piece of metal and how the sound gets effected.

Uh, um, if you say so Bob.

The trip into the fine details of what makes the best ever pickups got him thinking about the people who actually make them - Abigail Ybarra - came to mind. So, after imagining a lifetime spent winding metal the size of a hair around a rod 800 times he got the feeling of a song, circular music that makes your head go round and round very slowly supporting lyrics that tell the tale of the most celebrated pick ups winder ever and her steadfast dedication to the guitar making industry, "she's been winding pick ups for over 50 years", goes the song.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bad+terrorists+abigail+ybarra&search=Search

Bob recommends the use of hand wound in UK ' Bare Knuckle' pickups, check the website ...

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk

Bad Terrorists at the Green Fair

2007-11-01T04:15:00.000-07:00

Bad Terrorists were invited to play at the Green Fair, St. Mary's Arts Centre on Saturday 27th October after a chance hit on youtube with Bob's song inspired by the green agenda of all the political parties in the elections last May:-
-----------------------------------
I'm going green
If you know what I mean

I used to be blue for a year or two
You wouldn't call me red now that we're nearly dead

My carbon footprint is nearly 8
I'm gonna change colour before it's too late

The summer solstice is now April the first
That's time for a new tax now open up your purse

Watch out for hot air
It's engulfing everywhere
-----------------------------------------------------
Could Bad Terrorists 'Going Green' become the Green Party anthem?
You decide...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNKoXulRHrs
The song got the green feet tapping, green hands clapping and the party members singing along. But, uh um, the Bad Terrorists carbon footprint rose to embarrasing levels as they couldn't help themselves turning up the amps, just a little now and then.
Green Bob was wearing his peas in the pod bandana and wishes that his brussel sprout plants were looking as good as the Bonka sprouts pictured above.
A jolly green time was had by all.

Lady Dre reviews gig at the curve bar 25th Oct. '07

2007-10-30T04:08:00.000-07:00

If you weren't at the Curve Bar I hope you were at St. Mary's Art Centre because there's no other good reason to miss the Bad Terrorists debut gig.

The three piece warmed up with a 'Chemtrails' a track that is driven with noisy rythm guitar and lyrics inspired by a conspiracy theory about unusual cloud formations. This was followed by several numbers with a military theme; 'Don the Cammo', 'Friendly Fire' then 'Fingernail Factory' that paid homage to the Banana Splits.

Bruce on the bass was cool and steady later confessed he'd had to keep still because he couldn't see as he was wearing non-prescription sunglasses with hologram eyeballs.

Barry on drums was an overnight sensation with his 2 drum song solos. This was followed with 50 seconds of exhilharating punk sound in 'Nothing', that left the audience gasping but the second part of the set had less of a buzz after Barry's 2 solos. It was a family affair with the bands girls (sisters) and two brothers in the band.

The lyrics are a social/political commentary with tracks you can dance or sing along to and some great lyrics from Bob Breeks, 'Oops I've been caught with things I haven't bought, in fact I actually nicked'em' ... So, if you missed the Bad Terrorists' excellent gig at the Curve Bar on Thursday 25th then catch them at the Green Fair on Sat. October 27th at St. Mary's Art Centre.

Bob's anti social behaviour

2007-10-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

Bob's poster campaign inviting the nice and comfortable, sleepy, middle class residents of Colchester to the Bad Terrorists forthcoming gigs at the curve bar and the green fair has annoyed the council.

Bob received a summons:"can I have a word with you in my office please Bad Terrorist Bob, the council have made objections to your poster campaign and have imposed a fine of £75".

Furthermore Keith Jelly Bag from the headling band for the gig couldn't resist a tut tut text to Bob - this caused a tough response from the Bad Terrorists - so Keith what have you spent on advertising?

Poster campaign no. 2 has now been officially scrapped, Bob's motorbike and pillion rider with a brush and a bucket of wallpaper paste will stay off the streets ... for now.

Check the link below for Bob singing "Oops I've been caught..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjfKIgTEE1k

Bruce away on tour

2007-10-06T03:30:00.000-07:00

Bruce on bass is taking a break from Bad Terrorist's rehearsals as he tours with Dylan James.

http://www.roadtov.com/profile/12804

Bonka interviews Barry, on being 'Always at the Back'.

2007-10-02T05:07:00.000-07:00

Barry Garnham,the Bad Terrorists drummer in the heady, early day when he was proud to be behind the drum kit. Click on the link below to check out Barry's latest drum song, 'always at the back' just released on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZJHJTjlWw0

The Song has alerted the band to the plight of the drummer, Becky Bonka interviews Bob and Barry to get the full picture.

What was the inspiration behind the song 'Always at the back' ?

Barry; There wasn't any, it just came, like...

Would you describe it divine inspiration Barry?

Barry; NO...just, can't actually explain where the lyrics came from, umm, umm, I am a drummer, the words just came to me and I typed out the words to the song. The words come naturally from feelings of being always at the back.

The song is about wanting to play under spotlight and glitterball, and that you don't want to play your drums in the sand, can you explain where you're coming from?

Barry; Didn't enoy going to the beach as a child, um, er, I don't like sand or knitted beachwear.

Did it take much persuasion for the band to perform your song and let you sing?

Barry; Only one person, me, the drummer, can sing that song.

Barry, this is your second drummer song, will there be more to come?

Barry; I've written 19 songs for a solo drummer album 'The plight of the drummer'.

Will your album be produced with the co operation of the band?

Barry; Um, generally will be played in a band situation...but I don't NEED THEM because if they listen to the songs and try to understand the lyrics, er, I don't enjoy playing with them, at the back.

Is this a Bad Terrorists'split? The drummer planning to launch a solo album? Will you be producing your album under the name Bad Terrorists?

Barry;Not exactly a split, just a concept album, a drummer album, all the songs are about drumming, er, no - my drumming, my songs, not Robert's songs and Bruce doesn't write songs - the drummer album will be under the band name 'Bad Terrorist too'.

Did you ever consider singing or playing guitar yourself?

Barry; I can if I want, but I dream of having the guitarist and the base player singing 'I'm always at the back...' I'm not resentful.

Er,Are you happy as a drummer in a Rock'n Roll band? Why play the drums?

Barry; Because I'm a drummer...Stupid Question.

playing live

2007-09-14T06:44:00.001-07:00

All the Bad Terrorist's attempts to play live earlier this year had been thwarted: firstly by the headgate theatre back in April when 'Terror' the musical was deemed unfit for the sensibilities of Colchester theatre goers and the second attempt at Wivenhoe Mayfair, when the Bad Terrorists were moved on by the police as part of a tea time curfew. Bruce's back garden, filled with friends and family of the band provided a secure venue for the first live performance of Bob's songs, and the drummer song, of course. (The band has an inclusive approach to song writing, anyone can have a go, so Barry's drummer song, by popular demand was included in the playlist).

Zoe Zu - a former member of the band -(for 2 rehearsals), felt inspired to join Bob singing "I don't listen to the radio," she supported Bob tunefully as well as herself and 18month old Lolly, until the 3rd line of the song when she unfortunately toppled backwards onto the drum kit and the stage lighting - CRASH, CLATTER OF CYMBALS, GASP FROM BARRY, SHATTER OF BROKEN GLASS and a THUD - then quiet and dark. A show stopping performance by Zoe ZU.

Zoe's rock'n roll moment was timely, Bruce's legs had begun to ache, due to playing bass in the flamingo position; nevermind, now he has given up his 9 to 5 office job, he might have the time to mend his guitar strap. Anyway, the experience of Zoe and Lolly crashing into his drum kit may have prompted Barry to express a deeper appreciation of his drums; he now proudly sings of the 'oyster shell veneer' in the lyrics of his latest drum song. Bob modified the words to 'Fucking Hate Traffic Wardens' for the children of course and his Mum, really enjoyed the chocolate cake made by Marley.

FORMING THE BAND

2007-09-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

Bob and Alan Wah Wah Blackwell thrash out 'Chocolate Muffin' on Bob's Homemade guitars.

Alan's guitar, handmade by Bob (pictured right of photograph)was back on loan from SPARKS tour October 2006 where it was played by guitarist Josh Klinghoffer. Now that Alan had his guitar back they made lots of noise together playing Alan's song about cakes. The energy consumed playing noisy wah wah guitar solos was soon replaced as Alan munched his way through a selection of sticky sweet confection throughout every rehearsal until it was mentioned to him - by a day job collegue - that actually sugar carbs were more likely to increase the waistline than other carbs, subsequent rehearsal snacks switched from cakes to foul flavoured pringles. Sadly, Alan Wah Wah's vocation to sell mortgages, overrode his enthusiasm for playing 'Chocolate Muffin' and Velvet Underground covers and he stopped playing with the Bad Terrorists. (Shhh, well, Alan Wah Wah failed to turn up to rehearsals around December time 2006 when the Bad Terrorists was formed). Being a Bad Terrorist is not everyone's cup of tea and cake.

Then Minors Aspired to being Bad Terrorists

Benny and Teymour played their wacky new hand built guitars during a bad terrorist rehearsal.

Click on the link below to a video of Ben and Teymour in Rehearsal.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=benny+and+teymour+in+rehearsal&search=Search

Good effort on the backing vocals side of things but they need more practice with their guitars. Benny can already strike a convincing rock pose no. 1 and has great potential as a rock God demonstrated by his enthusiasm to turn up the amp.

Next up: Zoe zu