Splendid Dead

The one and only Chris “Big Chris” Devotion helped us out at our Springsteen tribute night in December, taking on compere duties and playing a short set of Springsteen covers and Devotion originals.  He was ably assisted by Bad Bad Craig and The Dirt on a couple of numbers and he’s given us the following play by play analysis of his set. Click on (some of) the titles for free downloads of selected tunes, recorded live at Mutant Music: Bossanova…

Dancing In The Dark

I ended up singing this in a less gentle style than I had in rehearsals, but sometimes when faced with an audience of (mostly) living, breathing punters the adrenaline kicks in. Anyway possibly my favourite “Boss” song, on first listen to the original you are hit with the upbeat hook on the synthesiser, the big drums, it makes you feel on top of the world, then you listen to the lyrics and it hits you: frustration, loneliness, “I want to change my hair, my clothes, my face” and the possibility of redemption, although it may be just out of reach. Did I mention that I am gay for Springsteen?

You’re Missing

From The Rising, the E-Street band got together after god knows how long (if only there was a giant connected “web” of information that I could search to find this out, oh well) with Bruce for a post 9-11 rumination on mortality and for me, this was it’s undoubted highlight, the way he builds up a heartbreaking picture of loss by listing the things that have not changed after a death, how life goes on, but it’s not ever going to be the same.  Jeez, I’m tearing up here, so err..anyone watch the game?

Don’t Worry Honey We Can Still Be Friends

This is one of my own songs (hey, go me!) did I mention how hard it is to memorise Bruce Springsteen Songs? The guy packs a lot of words in. I mention this because I was feeling pretty good about myself by this point as I had not fecked it all up.  Of course the very moment I feel good about myself I forget the chords to ONE OF MY OWN SONGS.  Sheesh. It only lasts for about a second (ahem) but see if you can pinpoint the second that my bandmate McGarvey will never let me forget.

Everybody Knows That I Like A Good Time

I wrote this song two days before.  Graeme from The Dirt starts handclapping on this song, he did not do that any of the other times we rehearsed. I promptly start laughing, putting off me and everyone else playing on the song. But that’s just the kind of wacky adventures that surround you when you are a rock and roll dude like myself.

Prove It All Night (With The Dirt and Craig from Bad Bad Man)

Back to the Boss, a great job by Jen, G and Craig on backing and mandolin, I have had this arrangement for a while and I was just waiting for the right Boss tribute night to come along.  Thanks Splendid Dead for making my dreams come true! Now can you make my other dream come true, regarding the painful death of Derek Acorah (seriously check out this cunt).

I’m On Fire 

A song about lust, I bet Springsteen would be tender, but also make you feel safe in those big old arms of his. Am I right? Errr, anyone watch the game? 

Chris Devotion is the Singer/Guitar Slinger in The Greatest Rock and Roll Band In The Known Universe - The Elvis Suicide. Buy their critically acclaimed single “Surveying The Young Professionals/If I Don’t Run” at all major download sites, some record stores and at their gigs.

www.myspace.com/theelvissuicide