"Don't Clap It Startles Me" CD - SKIPW003
KNEEJERK
01. Solace
02. Back
To The Trains
03. The True Art Of Rebellion
04. Wire
Wool
05. Handholdhigh
ABJURE
06. That
Was That
07. Comfort
08. Jingle
09. Remind
Me What It Is I Like About You
10. Cracking
Kneejerk
This 3 piece from London, started in late 1998 with
the quest to create music which both moved and satisfied
them. In 1999 they self-released their first CD "Helpless
I Cry" with 11 songs. In July 1999, I had the pleasure
to join Kneejerk on their first ever UK tour with their
close friends Abjure for 2 weeks. We all had such an
incredible time we were ready to do it again and during
this tour Kneejerk and Abjure came up with the idea
of a split CD for Skipworth Records. I was totally flattered
from the first word!
Straight after we returned from that summer UK tour,
Kneejerk entered into the studio with friend Roland
Heap to record the 5 songs for their split with Abjure
titled "Don't Clap It Startles Me". They continued
gigging constantly and touring UK sharing stages with
bands such as Botch, Abjure, Cameran, Redlightsflash,
Scalplock, Engage, Knuckledust and the list never ends.
On the 17th of January 2000, the Kneejerk / Abjure
split "Don't Clap It Startles Me" CD hit the
streets and the underground full on, with the release
party being held in Peterborough, on the 29th of January
2000 which was an absolutely amazing and chaotic show
from both bands. People travelled from all over the
UK to join in celebrating such a great hardcore show
with many great bands. Wow, what a day!
Things did not slow down. In September 2000 they recorded
their incredible "The Half-life of Kissing"
full length album with Dave Chang at Backstage Studios
(Stampin' Ground, Knuckledust, Canvas) which was released
via Sakari Empire in early 2001. Everyone from reviewers
to the fans were blown away by it worldwide! Sadly on
the 11th of November 2000, Kneejerk called it a day.
The story ends and begins here.
Kneejerk songs
Recorded and Mixed by Roland Heap in summer 1999.
Engineered by Roland Heap.
Produced by Roland Heap and Kneejerk.
Additional vocals by Paul A. (Abjure) and Nyasha
Hatendi.
Abjure crashed through the underground
right from their beginning in 1998. When people talk
of crashing, amazing and heartfelt bands, Abjure is
always in their minds. I don't want to even attempt
to describe Abjure to you but what you can be sure of
is the energy is amazing, the passion, love and belief
in what they do has no boundaries. Although their last
recordings for "Don't Clap It Startles Me"
where done in summer 1999, still to this day it sounds
"totally uncool" as well as incredibly refreshing
every time. It's like they threw in some kind of magic
into their music or maybe put it through a time travel
device. Well I believe that things which are not cool,
last longer than those which are cool at the time.
With outstanding live shows, constant touring and amazing
musicianship they managed to refresh hardcore music and
give it a refreshing sound. Unfortunately, in late 2000
Abjure decided to take a break, which they are still on
to this day. Words have never come close to describe the
music these 4 guys wrote so we leave the music to speak
for itself.
Abjure songs
Recorded and Mixed by Roland Heap and Abjure in
bedrooms, basements and living rooms from August - December
1999.
Engineered by Abjure and Roland Heap.
Mastered by Abjure.
Cracking originally written by Suzanne Vega.
Katie Morgan appears on Cracking.
Layout and Design by Kneejerk and Abjure. Skipworth
Records logo concept by Paul Bojarski. |