NEWS
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Rhombus - Fallout! (ho,ho)
30th January 2012
Written By: Ed
Rhombus are delighted to announce that we are currently working on the tracks for a new digital release, scheduled for April 2012 with afmusic.
The release will consist of two versions of Fallout, our smash new tune which we added to the live set in October, and as yet undecided 'B sides'. We played the contenders to a select group at the staff party last week who were thankfully quite impressed.
Together with the single and extended versions, Rhombus will also be releasing videos to accompany the release, one of which may feature a selections of our friends and followers from around the world.
Expect further single releases and possibly EPs as Rhombus build up to a full album release at the end of the year.
Gigs, Gigs, Gigs
21st September 2011
Written By: Rhombus
Things are getting rather hectic in the office right now. We have a load of gig offers coming in and we are playing diary tennis trying to fit them all in. We can't give details yet but the next 12 months is going to be pretty fun packed.
Static Magazine Artist of the year 2010
3rd January 2011
Written By: Rhombus
We are proud and somewhat humbled to have been declared "Artist of the Year 2010" by Static Magazine.
As you all know, we have been working very hard for the last couple of years and it really is a great reward to know that our efforts have been appreciated. Thanks to Static and to everyone who voted for us.
We understand that we are to be handed an actual bone fide trophy during the gig at the Shed in Leicester on Saturday 15th January, a bill which also features another Static shortlisted act, our friends Luxury Stranger, along with Derecho and The Abstracts, for a very worth fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease.
You can, and should visit the Static Magazine Web Site
Best Gigs of 2010
1st January 2011
Written By: Rhombus and Friends
So as voted for by the band and some of our most regular gig attendees the top five gigs of 2010.
One thing that really stands out is the high scores for shows that were a challenge to do. Shows that for reasons of health, weather or logistical issues might not have happened. They all turned out to be fantastic and proved that increased efforts lead to greater rewards.
1. 150 @ Flock, The Library, Leeds - 4th December
Rob - Unforgettable evening. Great to have Tommo, Tron & Ben on stage again.
Pyromancer - The atmosphere was electric and the finale was incredible!
The Guvnor - Best gig for me was the 150th at The Library in Leeds, fantastic atmosphere, featuring several of the guest members that have played a part in Rhombus over the years! Great set, superb audience.
Emma Ledgard - the Leeds "150" was my favorite was worried about how we'd get there cos of the snow in the end as long we got there we'd worry about how we'd get home later the atmosphere was brilliant top night.
Weebles - it was like a Goth Live Aid, ’cept there was no dreadful songs about icebergs in Africa. The band was on top form, the special guests making it truly memorable. Rob’s "This is what a gig looks like" quip.
2. The Gasworks, Bradford - 30th July.
Russ - For me the best Rhombus gig of the last year was unquestionably Gasworks, Bradford. My hometown hosted a blinder of a gig which was incredibly well attended and well appreciated by the assembled masses. Apparently alcohol was involved too which may explain a few things!
Emma Ledgard - Even though they had no southern comfort but after I stuck my bottom lip out in a sulk they went to Tesco's to buy some for us.
Weebles - Aided by Luxury Stranger this was a blinding night fueled on alcohol with one of the best audience reactions I’ve ever seen to the mighty Rhombus.
Maisey - The turnout was unexpectedly large, the atmosphere vibrant and the venue pretty decent as well. Good to see Rhombus justifying their position as headline act.
3. Gotham 11, 02 Academy Islington - 10th April.
Ian - Last minute swap-ins, our names weren't on any advertising but the crowd really went for it as proved by a fantastic merch haul.
The Guvnor - This gig deserves mention purely on the way that the band went out and literally grabbed the audience with a high energy set, which in my opinion was deserving of a higher place on the billing, it was a true showcase for the improvemt that I have seen in the band over the last couple of years!
Ed - No soundcheck and the set timed to the minute, but thanks to a cracking crew and an A1 monitor engineer, we started with bang, the set was a cracker and the day seemed to lift the moment we came on. We missed Mya but Claire did us proud.
Lisa - it was great watching you guys showing everyone what a great live band you are and then seeing how it was to follow you.
4. The Parish Huddersfield - 23rd September.
Clare Gollop-Gollop - Ed, still recovering from his appendix Op but yet determined to go ahead with the set, turned up in his PJs. This showed the band's dertermination to make gigs even in the worst circumstances (see London Slimelight later on) and put us as a crowd into a good mood before the set even begun.
Carrie - fantastic atmosphere at this one, & nice to see a goth gig in Hudds for a change. Although I'm not sure Ed's jim-jams actually needed a public airing!
The Guvnor - notable for the fact that it was less than two weeks after Ed had major surgery, but both the effort and the set were fantastic.
Ed - I wasn't sure I'd be able to do this show until we rehearsed two days before, but with some built in breaks, a stool and a foam pad to cushion the wound I decided to risk it. One of the most boisterous crowds ever and we've never played "Into The Rain" better.
5. Slimelight, London - 18th December.
Maisey - Another Rhombus vs The Weather victory. This was a real rock and roll adventure in every aspect and took several days to recover from.
Clare Gollop-Gollop - Despite the band looking exhausted (except for Rob who seemed to be running on final fumes- or Red Bull?) the show was fantastic, and was well received.
Weebles - The Rhombus Experience, not giving in to the weather, BMW drivers or extreme bladder pain. All this and the band stayed played a blinder with the added bonus of dealing with a manic weeble quite literally bouncing of the inside of the Rhombus on the way home. Who’s up for another round of ‘Stealing stupid things’?
The Guvnor - most bands would have given up in the atrocious weather, not Rhombus!!! 10 hours to get to London, outstanding effort.
Carrie - just because the RhomBus finally got there - very impressed to see Ade battling through hell & cold water to attend. & the band played a blinder.
September Tour Report
27th September 2010
Written By: Ed
So the tour started in the half light of a darkened venue in Huddersfield. This quickly changed to pitch black after Rob's attempts to find the working lights resulted in a power cut (he's a trained electrician you know).
Once the power was restored and the sound check completed, Tim added the least rock and roll accessories to the stage; cushions and stools to allow Ed to take it easy. Mya, Rob and Ian went to the bar; Ed went for a nice lie down.
Last July warmed the audience up nicely as they booby trapped the stage with half filled glasses strategically placed next to power supplies and locations likely to be visited by feet.
The set started well and the audience were fantastic. Though unable to attend, the ghost of Russell Parker made a brief appearance as Rob fudged the intro to Lightning Strikes Twice, but was quickly exorcised as the gig continued without further incident.
To allow Ed a breather, Ian handled the vocals on 15 Years. The crowd responded to this by instigating a ring-a-ring-a-roses of death on the dance floor with even sensible Stella involved. The receptiveness of the crowd and their lively enjoyment is fast becoming the norm for all West Yorkshire outings. In fact Rob got so carried away he became trapped in his guitar cables like a luckless fly in a spider web and had to be rescued (or unpicked) by Tim who returned from his mission to find Maisey had discovered the controls to the smoke machines.
The set climaxed with a cracking version of Into The Rain, though judging by the state of some of the crowd, it may not be remembered (Clare, Natasha, Steve, Helen).
Next morning we all set off for Brighton in the Rhom-Bus. Ed tucked up in the back under a pile of cushions, Ian at the wheel, Tim and Mya either side of a coolbox full of beer. Rob pondered what a gingerbread flavoured coffee would taste like and everyone tried to graphically support Ian's quest to help southern drivers realise their short comings, until Missa Lisa pointed out the van had tinted windows.
The light playful atmostphere of the journey was quickly replaced by snarling sarcasm on the Satanic Prayer Wheel otherwise know as the M25. After two hours, the normally tranquil Missa Lisa was suggesting we fitted a turret and a paint ball gun. "Take bottles in the back seat? You do if you're caught short Tim"
The liveliness of the previous evening's West Yorkshire crowds probably highlighted the more reserved politeness of the Brighton one. The Last Cry played stormingly well and we followed with a set that had to be cut back due to Ed not being up to it, but we played well and met some lovely people. Andy from The Last Cry was very upset because our van has internal lights that can be changed to red for the perfect cosy journey home, whereas his had a number of small grooves for pens. (We'll draw a veil over his perfectly understandable confusion of the gear harnesses for bondage straps)
The band headed off to the hotel (minus Rob, who was grounded) as Ian instructed Tim and Mya on the use of 'indoor voices'.
The Findon Manor is a gorgeous little hotel in a picture postcard village, the staff couldn't have been more welcoming. The cooked to order breakfast was sublime. Though Ian found the enjoyment of his Eggs Benedict compromised as Tim bemoaned the absence of Coco Pops.
"You're a band? How lovely" said the manager as Carrie, Mya, Ian, Tim and Ed left the premises, whilst probably thinking "That's the worst Abba tribute I've ever seen"
The morning was spent on Worthing beach and included a visit to the Elvis museum that was proudly displaying a piece of the fence from Graceland, before the band headed off for Burton.
On arrival we met up with Missa Lisa and Rob (who had obviously finished his time on the naughty step). Joined by The Guv'nor and Tracey Two Drinks we headed off to Frankie and Benny's for a meal. Ian's coaching on indoor voices obviously needed revisiting as the children's birthday party two tables away was interrupted by an irate Tim shouting "Rob you bastard! Stop fucking with my meatballs!" .
A fortieth birthday celebration at the intervening table were equally charmed by the 'Guess which one's forty' sweepstake, although they declined to confirm the consensus that it was the 'bald bloke in the yellow football shirt'.
Tracey Two Drinks ordered a pizza the size of Wales and spent twenty minutes cutting it up into ever smaller pieces. An exercise she was likely to have completed two hours after sound check. Luckily Rob rescued the situation by cutting up the pizza for her into such an unappetising mes, that she declined another piece. All that was left was for Mya to order Tim to remove his balls from the table, and it was back in the Rhom-Bus. As we were leaving we heard a waiter asking the manager to sort out some discount for table number four, I wonder if we were number five?
Sound check completed and the venue started to fill up with friends old and new. Ed went for his regulation kip as the rest of the band played "Graze the baize" in the inaugral Rhombus Pool Tournament, which was won by The Guv'nor under a league system and Missa Lisa under knock-out rules, Natasha claiming wooden spoon with either.
The crowd were much more West Yorkshire than Brighton and we managed a full set including a couple of requests. We love the Appleby, Kev and Co always look after us so well.
The party atmosphere continued into The Rhom-Bus, where Carrie's prudent prior purchase of enough quality vodka and fighting brandy to drown a whale led to Mya holding court at a rather debauched mobile cocktail party.
The spirits continued to flow right up until Sheffield when the need for a toilet break was made perfectly clear by Mya bouncing a glass of vodka and coke of Ian's head in an attempt to alert the driver of her guest's predicament.
I'm not sure if the toilets were open at the garage we visited, but it might be advisable not to use the air and water station at the Meadow Hall Texaco until we've had some proper rain.
Tired and emotional, everyone was glad to be back in Huddersfield, though a sleeping Natasha went unnoticed under Ed's bespoke duvet bunker almost long enough to be locked in the compound with the Rhom-Bus.
Finally Tim decided to double check with Carrie that all duties had been discharged and he could go to bed. He then proceeded to return from his bedroom another three times, just to make sure. The last two enquires being made without his trousers.
Anywhere EP, Release Information
21st September 2010
Written By: Ed
First of all, just a quick word of thanks for all of the kind words and messages of support over the last few weeks. I subsequently found out that complications during surgery meant I ran it a bit close. So I'm now systematically going through the archives deleting any rank vocal takes and dodgy demos to avoid an embarrassing tribute or cash in less something similar ever happens again.
I'm delighted at last to be able to share with you the details of our up coming release, which we hope to have out at the end of October. The EP will consist of four tracks, the first will be the single version of Anywhere, which is slightly different from the album version.
The next track is rather special, we gave Steve Carey a completely free hand to create an extended remix of Anywhere. The result is the "Chinzano Mix" and I have to say it's cracking.
"Timeless and Elegant" is probably one of the biggest and most complex tracks we've done. The rough mix is sounding massive and in a first for Rhombus we've invited Ed Wolstenhome (a former fiddle player with New Model Army) to add some violin, cello and electric violin.
The final track in true Rhombus tradition is not quite finished. The high bar set by the rest of the EP means we want to get it right, hopefully we'll put all the parts together over the next few weeks.
The EP will of course be reproduced digitally, however after a number of requests we've decided to do a limited edition CD. We are producing a single run of 250-300 individually numbered CDs. These will only be available from the shop and merch stall. None will be issued as promos, freebies or competition give aways.
The CD will be available to pre-order from the Rhombus store in the next day or so. We expect demand to be high, so make sure you don't miss out. Once they're gone they're gone.
Mya, Rob, Ian, the team and I are all looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the next few dates.
All the best
Ed
DV8
23rd July 2010
Written By: Ed
So last Sunday saw us heading off to play the last night of DV8 in York. Being one of the first bands confirmed for the event and one of the last to play.
Rob had gone on ahead to check the lie of the land. 24 hours early in fact and his recce seamed to consist of drinking liberally and being generally rude to other guitarists, while Lisa mouthed “sorry”.
Joining Ian, Ed and Mya for the journey up were Carrie and Rhombus Security Consultant, Ma-Dave. This being Ian’s first chance to take the controls of the new Rhom-bus, he decided to dirty the accelerator but keep the break pedal nice and clean.
As we made our way up Ma-Dave outlined a plan for the band to buy a sniffer dog. Aside from the added advantages to our personal safety he assured us the money could be made back on dry hire.
On arrival Ian parked the van directly under the venue. It’s incredible the damage you can do to the walkway of a 1960 shopping centre if you ram it with the roof top spoiler of an ex police riot van.
Once inside the venue it was clear Rhombus were going to be unlikely to get a sound check, due in part to Gene Loves Jezebel being on Welsh time. So we retired to the van only to discover Mya and Ma-Dave had got the deadlocks working and were too ensconced watching Predator to let us in.
Stuck for something to do we chatted about vans and egos with Chris from Luxury Stranger and had a good catch up with Teresa and the guys from Zeitgiest Zero. It transpired the last time she saw us we were a ‘three piece in t-shirts’ and Corin informed Ed that he’d run into one of our guitarists at a festival and completed him on how well Rhombus had been doing over the last 18 months and what great reviews the new album was getting. It was at this point he realised that this was the guitarist who left last year.
The venue started to fill up and Berlin Black took to the stage and got things going in style followed by Zeitgiest Zero and their vibrant stage show. Then it was time for Rhombus. The change over was covered by the diversion of a burlesque act at the other side of the venue. A cracking idea though a slightly strange experience to have your plugging up accompanied by stripper trombones and swanee whistles.
The show was great fun and the crowd were proud, loud and definitely up for it. Ian’s full on guitar attack meant a number of strings were sacrificed to ensure those at back were getting his point, Rob’s intent marching about means he probably covered over a mile and half, Mya’s new found indulgence for rabble rousing brought dividends, while Ed regaled the audience with local drainage facts and libellous insinuations about crowd members families and leisure preferences.
The evening continued with Ian holding court on the merch stand, Rob holding his own with Ade, Helen, Graham and the regulars, and Mya holding a pint of wine. Ed took care of business which included a “who could talk the fastest” contest with Marge.
All in all, a cracking night and a cracking event, massive thanks to Chris and the team.
A year of living Rhombusly
20th July 2010
Written By: Ian
At the beginning of 2003 while on tour as guitarist with The Smurphs, I found myself in Stroud thoroughly enjoying our support band for the evening who for some inextricable reason had seen fit to name themselves Rhombus. The gig was a riot, from what I remember, but what sticks in mind most was the two bands drinking into the early hours and having the sort of good time that only a couple of bands on the road can manage!
A couple of months later and we met again, this time at a gig in Bristol where the guys came to boast our egos by heckling the competition.
Over the next few years we all kept in touch as Rhombus relocated to West Yorkshire, settled their line up and accompanied The Smurphs on several of our live jaunts.
We worked together still further as Rhombus and my band Grinn gigged together when ever occasion allowed.
I was asked to add a couple of vocal backing tracks to the 'Remembrance Day album' and invited onto the stage on a number of occasions to add my drunken backing vocals to the party.
Yes, it could be said that I was in no means unaware of the sights, sounds and smells of the band they call Rhombus.
It was however out of the blue that I received a phone call from Ed early one Wednesday morning in June 2009.
"Simon has decided to hang up his guitar," says He. "We have 3 dates in the calendar that we'd like to honer and we were wondering if you'd fancy learning some of our tunes and helping us out? We don't know what we'll do after that, maybe go back to a three piece or find a replacement, but if you're up for a temp job, it could really help us out."
"Sure thing!" says I.
"Rehearsal tonight OK?" asks Ed.
"No problem, incidentally when's the first gig?" I enquire.
"In a couple of weeks supporting The Eden House at the Scala in London"
[Gulp]
So, with a list of 15 or so tracks and an intensive day of listening I pitched up to rehearse, and it was great. Fun, relaxed and it rocked!
After a couple of rehearsals and a conflab with band confidant Ade I was asked if I'd like to come on board full time. I didn't need asking twice.
Replacing a musician in an established band is not easy, regardless of the talents involved. You could ape your predecessor's style and licks, but run the danger of just ending up sounding like a poor imitation because it will never quite feel right. There is of course the danger of ignoring the previous incumbent completely and leaving listeners wondering why familiar songs now sound different or weird.
At first I was a little concerned about how to approach things. I wanted to be sympathetic to the Rhombus sound, but was keen to put my own stamp on things. I'm a lot less interested in lead breaks and solos than Simon was, preferring instead to honour the often overlooked art of the rhythm guitar. So I brought my heavily rhythmic style to the songs, triggering off the bass and providing the "groove to make 'em move". The solid rhythm at once allowing Ed to be more experimental with bass lines and vocal syncopation while giving Rob a huge amount of space to let the lead lines soar unencumbered. And fortunately people seem to like this.
Over the last year I've bounced all around the country enjoying some of the most fun tour van journeys, some fantastic gigs and more than a little rock n' roll revelling. In and amongst this, we managed to write and record an album of which we are all very proud, meet some fantastically passionate music fans and share a bill with some truly great bands.
Everyone has made me feel welcome; the band, the fans and the scene and I love you all for it!
Gotham 11 - The event report
12 April 2010
Written By: Ed
The day started early as the Rhom-Bus sped towards the pickup point at Huddersfield Station. Rather than wait in a short queue of traffic, Ed decided to access his passengers by driving across the middle of the pedestrian precinct. Object achieved, the van loaded as Ed was ‘ticked off’ by Carrie for showing off in front of his friends.
Rob and Lisa’s decision to let the ‘train take the strain’ made room for Bradford’s finest, Russell Parker to make a rare trip out of Yorkshire. Though a stalwart of Rhombus shows in God’s County, Russell first turned down the offer, sighting the capital’s fondness for flat beer and effeminate walking.
In seat number six was new crew member Tim Sinister, his formal training consisted of a suggestion to “stick to Ian and follow his lead”.
As the journey passed Red Fraggle Rhombus started to show formally unseen Diva-ish tendencies. Instead of asking Tim to pass the Sherbet Lemons she updated her Facebook Status and waited.
Close to London the band phoned Rob and asked “what’s it like?”. He answered by describing the inspiring vista, sumptuous decor and capacious quality of the bath tub. It became apparent that Rob has forsaken an early arrival for a brief respite in his hotel room.
On arrival new boy Tim, keen to impress, picked up two of the heaviest and most expensive items of gear and loaded them into a waiting lift. This effort was quickly overshadowed when he abandoned it to the next customer who together with the gear disappeared off to God knows where.
| After a hiatus which saw Tim, the gear, and the band sailing up and down the lift system in different directions, the band headed off to the production office. A cheery shout of “Hello Cleveland” from Russell almost shattered Ian’s professional image and Ed’s left ear drum. After Clan of Xymox’s rider flagged up an inadequate provision of party eggs, Russell concluded back stage life was not all it was cracked up to be and headed off to watch the Grand National in a nearby pub. |  "Rob rolls five deep" |
Ian also decided that the solution to the filling the four hours before stage time was to be found in licensed premises. Tim stuck to Ian and followed his lead. Almost to the millilitre.
 "There may be trouble ahead" |
The landscape of Islington was punctuated with bands killing time. As the sometimes strikingly dressed patrons made their way to the Gotham Festival, Steve Carey strolled through the streets with his good lady looking like a kindly village squire and Martin Old Goth & Bridgette laden with equipment, greeted invitations to stop and chat with looks that said “Can’t you see how heavy these record boxes are?” |
As the Dawnrazor flying squad selected the bins they would later vomited in to, the scene would have been complete had Tony Pettitt walked over and advised the gentleman playing bass with a busking steel band to buy a delay pedal.
Back at the venue, Rob; the professionals’ professional, solved the problem of an absent guitar stand by saying “Here, hold this” to Natasha from Legion as he warmed up by fighting with Tim.
As stage time approached the venue started to fill up. Strong performances from bands earlier in the day set things up nicely and a vociferous cheer rang through the venue as Rhombus took to the stage. The band set the controls to ‘don’t fuck about’ and powered through the set, with a well refreshed Tim in place, side of stage, keeping a not always focused pair of eyes on ensuring the bands set was hiccup free. (Which is more than could be said for Tim)
| The sheer volume of cheering and applause drove the band on. Rob was here, there and everywhere. Ian, not as well refreshed as Tim thanks to an earlier ‘fire break pint’ of lemonade, was strutting and snarling, Ed was ‘dancing with Eva’ and Red Fraggle was busying herself taking microphones apart. |  "I'm a little what?" "Oh very funny" |
Red Fraggle rose to the challenge of filling in for Mya and a show stopping performance of ‘You Only want me When Your Drunk’ full of energy and vibrant theatrics.
 "Solid, you ain't coming through" |
It was Lisa’s weekend off so Ian decided he was the man to man the merchandise stand, possibly because it gave him something solid to lean on. |
Business was brisk as Layhanna led into another inspiring performance by The Eden House. Ian and Tim found selling CDs to be thirsty work as the stand became a congregating point and the band chatted to friends old and new. Mister Ade tried to frighten Susan with his skunk, and Sid from the Smurphs tentatively enquired about Mya. Relieved to hear she was still on board, he admitted when we first walked on, he wondered why she’d dyed her hair red. Ian advised a change in reading habits and a trip to Spec Savers.
Ed chatting to Ray from Voices of Masada, acknowledged he’d been 100% right with his advice on how to mix the album. Ray modestly admitted that he had forgotten imparting that particular gem.
Clan of Xymox wound the night down and it was time for the Rhom-bus to head north. Rob and Lisa together with Andy, Ade and Tracey headed for a club. Though whether they followed Paul Sticks’ suggestion of Reptile or Ade’s leanings to Stringfellows is unknown.
Gotham 11 - last minute gig
3 April 2010
Written By: Ed
Rhombus have been asked to step in and replace Lilygun who have unfortunately had to pull out due to sickness.
|
The full line up is now
£14 Adv (Includes Free entry to Aftershow Party @ Electrowerkz) O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON N1 Centre. 16 Parkfield Street. N1 0PS (18+) Tickets: |
|
Top Five Gigs Of 2009
13 January 2010
Written By: Ed
Well the votes are in (They've been in for weeks, I just haven't been bothered) so it's time to reveal the bands favourite five gigs of 2009. In chronological order:-
Saturday 31st January – Bar Academy, Islington, London (Islington) – with Wayne Hussey
Not really a Rhombus gig as this was Grassby & Walker. However it was a great show to a sold out venue. It was also the night we debuted Open The Sky.
Sunday 28th June – Black Sheep / The Subculture, Leeds - Secret gig
Ian's first gig and our first outing as Rhombus for exactly three months. Concerns about the line up change were quashed in seconds and for the first time in a long time we were relaxed and happy to be there.
Friday 24th July – Scala, London (Kings Cross) – with The Eden House + The Mariana Hollow + Legion
A great gig in a super venue, it was also the first of the weekend which saw us playing the Giffard the next night. First time all of the band have been away together and travelled in one van. The lyrics to 'Almost Everything' reference this weekend.
Saturday 31st October – Whitby Gothic Weekend, The Spa Pavilion, Whitby - with Faith And The Muse + Adoration
Since we started, like most Goth bands, we've been aiming to play Whitby. The fact that it was such a strong bill and one of the fastest sell outs was the icing on the cake. We played well and put on a fine show.
Sunday 13th December – G-Fest (Day 2), Bull and Gate, London (Kentish Town) - with Vendemmian + Legion + Luxury Stranger
A great end to the year and a very enjoyable event. Having Red Fraggle and Tron join us made it great fun. Missing Mya was the only down point. Then to joined by half of Legion for one of the silliest journeys home in a long time.
Nearly all of our gigs have been cracking in 2009, some of the other including The Sheffield shows were unlucky not to make the list. Here's to many more quality shows this year.
CD, G-Fest And Bugger Me - A Competition
25 November 2009
Written By: Ed
CD – It’s coming, honest. Trust us.
We’ve been strong armed into playing both days of G-Fest, so Rhombus will now be appearing at both Leeds and London. This should provide a fitting end to our best year to date. Will the CD be out in time?... (Looks the other way and whistles).
So in a Rhombus first, it’s competition time! (actually that’s not true we did give away a bottle of fighting brandy a few years, back but the less said about that the better).
So, to win a pair of tickets for G-Fest in London, answer the following question:-
What colour is Ian "From The Goths" new guitar?
Email your answer to office@rhombus-rock.com.
The winners will be picked in a semi random way to be decided when we get round to it. Ian’s decision is final. Quibbling will just piss him off.
Seven Days In Rhombus Land
18 October 2009
Written By: Ed
Saturday 10th - Play Coventry
Mya sick, Ian ends up doing more vocals than he planned. Tony and Candia add a touch of refinement to the regulars.
Sunday 11th – Sheffield
Ed and Rob play an acoustic gig and slightly alarm the promoter after arriving 45 minutes before show time and then announcing they need to rehearse a set and will be in the van.
Monday 12th – Honesty Time
Decide the current mix is not good enough halt production, admit we’ve monked it up, junk it and offer free posters to the faithful to say sorry.
Tuesday 13th – Life Line
Stephen Carey offer to mix a track, not being completely stupid we say yes.
Wednesday 14th – More Time For Honesty
Steve’s returns the track. It’s clear that mixing, finishing and giving this project the polish it needs has become too complex for us, and the album deserves better.
We ask Steve if he’ll mix the whole album and he accepts.
Thursday 15th – Master Planning
Work out we may be able to deliver a ‘pre release’ version of the album in time for Whitby. The Spiv tells us the posters are too expensive, rather than admit we monked that up too; we decide to look the other way.
Friday 16th – 4472
Steve returns from the engine works with 4472. It both burns through the night and shines bright pulling trucks full of insane toms toms and bastard guitars.
Rhombus is about to head onto the mainline.
We’ve Monked It Up!
12 October 2009
Written By: Ed
Well as you all know, everything was looking good to have the CD ready on schedule and in good time for Whitby, it was almost perfect, and as far as Rhombus were concerned, a first.
Those off you who have followed us long enough will be relieved to hear normal service has now been resumed and we’ve monked it all up!
So how have we done that? Was the artwork late? Nope been at the printers for weeks. The CD not finished? Nope got to the stamping house three days early. So how you may wonder have we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory?
Simple, for the last week we have been playing tracks to a few people here and there, and released a couple of songs for radio play. The feed back has been very positive about the songs, but much less so about the production and presentation. Some people have been very tactful, others rather blunt so after much head scratch, pondering and deliberation we’ve concluded it’s simply not good enough.
So this afternoon we stumped up the courage, called the stamping house and asked them to halt production.
Rob has been speaking with Steve Carey (he of vanishing whisky fame) to see if he could shed any light on how exactly we monked up. We’ve now implemented a lot of the detailed advice he offered on a test track and it now sounds a million times better. So we’re going to apply Steve’s blueprint to the rest of the CD whilst correcting a couple of other mistakes we’ve noticed in the mean time.
So sadly the CD will not be ready for Whitby, early estimates would put it back about three to four weeks from that.
So what about all you lovely people who’ve already pre-ordered the CD? Well by way of a thank you and an apology we’re having some rather snazzy limited edition posters printed. Everyone who preorders a CD either through the shop or at our merch stand in Whitby gets one with our thanks.
In 2007 we mucked up and it was free postage, in 2009 it’s free posters! (feel free to roll yours up and tonk us over the head with it).
Coventry This Saturday And CD News
08 October 2009
Written By: Ed
So this Saturday we’re off to Coventry to warm up the band for Whitby and try out a couple of new songs from the album.
It’s just over a month since we last played but it feels like longer because we’ve all be ensconced recording the new album.
Recording felt very different this time. Remembrance Day had an element of ‘greatest hits’ to it with only four songs that were brand new. Also Rhombus were effectively operating as a duo with just Rob and I supported by a range of guest musicians, two of which were Ian and Mya.
This time was completely different, with the exception of 4472, everything else has been written this year. Three songs we developed during our period of acoustic shows, the other six coming together over the summer.
All four members of the band have made a massive contribution. Every night throughout September I was in the studio with either Rob or Ian and sometimes both working on something. Mya tended to work more at home and then bring complete pieces to the studio. The atmosphere has been great, very positive, open and supportive.
I think we’ve worked harder on this release than any other. Though enjoyable, it has been intense and at times quite stressful. I think our respective partners are owed a massive thank you for putting up with our absences or disinterest in anything not album related. As some of you will know I lost my dad in the middle of this and Mya too had a family bereavement. Some of this we were able to channel in to the process, the lyrics to ‘Anywhere’ is testament to this.
Ian’s involvement has been massive, considering he only joined us a few months ago, his input can be found all over the CD. Many of the skills he brings to the record are in areas where Rob and I are not so strong. He’s very much the missing piece, as far as Rhombus is concerned.
So everything is on schedule for release on the 31st. Kev Morris will debut a track tonight on his radio show which can be accessed at www.reachonair.com.
DJ Cruel Britannia’s Fade Our Show will debut another track on Saturday.
Hope to see you in Coventry this Saturday.
Open The Sky - Now Avaliable To Pre-Order
13 September 2009
Written By: Ed
Our great new album is now avaliable to pre-order from the Rhombus shop.
When we say 'great' we mean it will be, as it's not quite finished yet. However even at this stage we're rather exicted and confident that it's going to be a cracker.
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If you fancy giving a little help with the big push, you could do a lot worse than slapping this banner on your site
Update - Coventry Back On And CD News
26 August 2009
Written By: Ed
Good news our gig at The Rising Sun in Coventry on October 10th is back on, different person now holding the conch.
We're greatly relieved as we needed a post recording warm up that would give us a chance to introduce one or two new songs from the album to the set and get them right before Whitby.
Speaking of the new CD, things are going well and are stepping up a gear each week. We now have eleven demos which we're working on in the studio. (double glazing now fitted to studio windows, thanks Sharaz), and we've made some decisions about the artwork, mastering and pressing.
The album will be available to pre-order from the website from Friday, and we will ensure that everyone who buys a pre-order CD will be the first to get the product.
October 10th Whitby Warm Up
17 August 2009
Written By: Ed
The plan was working well. We were going to play a very nice Goth club on Saturday October 10th. As well as being a good night in it's own right, this gig was going to serve as a warm up for Whitby.
Unfortunately the club have had to cancel, but... we're still going to play!!
Somewhere.
If anyone has a need for a homeless Goth band on Saturday October 10th, give us a call, stupid and quirky offers are very much encouraged!!!!!!!
(I quite like the idea of Ian and Rob trying to look cool at a four year old's birthday or WI flower show)
London Tickets Now Available!
13 July 2009
Written By: Rob
Save 25% off (only £7.50) The Eden House + RHOMBUS tickets when bought from our online store - NO booking fee AND FREE postage!!
New Merchandise Now Available!
6 July 2009
Written By: Edward
The long awaited 'Butterfly T shirt' is now available from the online store.
Also new in are our fabulous Rhombus Woven Patches. They’re so retro it hurts!
We've also received fresh stocks of the old 'Love You To Closing Time T shirts' so all sizes are now available once again.
Unfortunately the prototype Rhombus 'Soap of a Rope' has been returned to the supplier as it fell off.
The more we sell, the better the new album will sound!!!!!
Last Night's "Secret" Gig
29 June 2009
Written By: Edward
So we played a secret gig in Leeds last night. It’d had been three months since we’d played as Rhombus and this seemed like the perfect way for Ian to play his first gig.
Anyway, either a large selection of the crowd independently decided that a Rhombus T-shirt was the perfect choice for a quiet night out or it wasn’t as secret as we thought.
Ian played a blinder and fitted in from the word go and the new songs went really well, which bodes well for the new album.
Also the new merchandise was finally on sale!!!! Get your patches and shirts now!
Big thanks to the home crowd and the travellers for giving us such a rapturous reception and of course to Phono Paul and Sarah for allowing us to do this.
It was the first time in a long time that we felt like a united unit of four. We haven’t enjoyed a Rhombus gig so much in ages. Everything looks good for the future.
Weekend Tickets for 24th/25th July
11 June 2009
Written By: Edward
We're planning to sell some weekend tickets for everyone planning to do both the Wolves and the London show. (That's all of you then)
The ticket should offer tickets for both gigs at a reduced price with a further discount on the new Rhombus merch.
It should be a fantastic weekend. Watch this space.
Underworld Show - Date and Venue Change
3 June 2009
Written By: Edward / Rob
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Sunday's gig is being rescheduled for 24th July.
We apologise for the short notice. It is important to note that both Rhombus and Flag Promotions wanted the date to go ahead but unfortunately last minute efforts to save the show were unsuccessful.
We cannot apologise enough to those people who have already made travel and accommodation arrangements.
Rhombus hope to appear at the rescheduled date, commitments permitting.
Situation Not Vacant
23 May 2009
Written By: Edward
Mya, Rob and I are pleased to announce that after two sterling practice sessions, we decided to ask Ian Grinn if he would join us on a permanent basis, and are delighted to say he’s accepted and is now a fulltime member of Rhombus.
(Actually it was halfway through the second practice, and The Guvnor volunteered his input too)
We were impressed by how easily Ian has fitted in, how well he plays with us and is already making us sound better. We know he’s going to add a lot to the band and the new album.