Chompo The Clown

Are you afraid of clowns? Well, be very afraid of Chompo The Clown (click here to listen and/or download) taken from the Nobody Records Pumpkinland Halloween Sampler (also found on Big Top Blues). "Tough to work a cryptic crowd"...so enjoy the track and drop me a comment. Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at HauntedCDs.com.Be sure and support Halloween Radio by purchasing CDs from us!



Thanks,

Mark Harvey (a.k.a. mopehead)

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to listen to or download the song.

mopehead - Bandcamp - what's good...

"It's Always Good" is another compilation of mopehead tracks some of which are REALLY old. This CD only has one guest appearance by Brian Peet (backing vocals on "Phate"). This grouping of songs is full of memories, pain, growth and a little happiness. When I hear these old songs I am always compelled to get of my rear and get back to doing what I love to do. Recording music is something that really fulfills me. It is a musical history lesson - my musical memory. OK, I'll get on with it...

"Somewhere Out" ...a song about wanting to escape the every day grind - a track written while working for the good guys.

"Get Happy" ...a song about what else, getting happy in spite of what might be going on in life. Let's face it, we all have hurdles in life, "Life's no major chore, get happy".

"He Goes To Parties" was written while I was living in SF (recorded at the Rain Station). After drinking a bottle of wine I recorded this track. My buddy Brian Peet liked the track so much we re-recorded it (I blogged about it here). Although the song is written about a specific woman from my past it is not really based in reality. Whenever I hear this song I think of her. She was very special to me. She changed my life.
"Flying East" is about going to visit Jay in New York. It was just after I had gotten married, my work life was REALLY getting me down and I was missing my good friend. I recall driving down Interstate 580 and thinking I could just let go of the wheel and let my car crash. I needed some creative time with my creative friend and I had to get away from work for awhile. Jay was living in a mansion on Staten Island and it sounded so magical to me. The years Jay spent in New York were great for him and probably good for me, but I am always happier when he's in California. What I really need is for him to be my next door neighbor so we can create whenever the feeling hits us.
"Phate" ...about living life, accepting fate and giving yourself a break every now and then. I am harder on myself than anyone could ever be. More boat references in this track as well.

"It Feels Like I'm Home" ...about a nightly journey to Oakland. I was working at the good guys store on Van Ness in San Francisco and my girlfriend was living in Oakland. Many nights I would commute across the Bay Bridge on my way to her place...driving my VW Bus, listening to Rain Station, burning a stick of nag champa incense.

"Little"...what would a mopehead CD be without a Halloween song on it? This song is about the haunting of a lover.

"Older & Wiser"...about growing up, learning and enjoying life. "We all grow old, some grow wise"...very true.

"It's Always Good"...the title track of the disc and at one minute fifteen seconds is quite the little ditty. I've always loved this one. Music as THE drug. Music can heal. Music!

"A Friend Of Yours"...another song written for/about Jay. Regardless of where we live...I will be a friend.

So there you have it. A song by song account - to the best of my recollection. Have a listen...

Thanks as always for reading...commenting...and hopefully listening.

My best,

Mark Harvey

songs for monkeys, puppets and strange fellows

After I moved to Oakland (and Jay to New York) I began recording and compiling quite a few mopehead songs. Some of the tracks I recorded with Brian Peet, but most of them I recorded on my own. I'm not sure why some of the tracks made it onto mopehead discs while others made it onto Rain Station discs. Both "Big Top Blues" and "It's Always Good" were put together after the songs were recorded. Jay provided the cover art for "Big Top Blues". He also helped me decide which tracks should be put on which disc. The tracks on "Big Top Blues" are all pretty strange - in a sort of novelty vibe sort of way. Most of them were written to give me some weirdness to send East to Jay.

Some of these tracks were recorded on the digital 8 while others were on my old 4-track.

"Pimp Rock Superstar" features vocals by Brian Peet and my ex. Bubo (the "person" referenced in the track) is a statue of an African drummer that we found in the Rain Station in SF. I've had him ever since.

"Mr. Moores In New York" is obviously about Jay in his NY habitat. The "chickie count count" backing vocal is My Monkey.

"Monkey Times" yet another song about My Monkey. More "chickie count count" goin' on.

"Big Top Blues" laments the existence of circus life. And, yes, more of My Monkey. Boat references as this is related to my other CD - SS-MOPEHEAD - which I have yet to get onto Bandcamp. Jay does have some Flash videos for that though...here...

"International Monkey" is yet another song about, what else, My Monkey - and more "chickie chickie count". Brian Peet sings backing vocals on this one as well.

OK, I think it is time to talk about My Monkey (and I do sing about it in my song called, "My Monkey" on SS-MOPEHEAD...another disc I'll try and get up onto Bandcamp). My Grandma made me a sock monkey and from I recall she gave it to me when I was around five. I really loved that monkey and named him "Funky Monkey". Well, my Mom didn't like that name since it sounded too much like the "F" word, so she forbade me from calling him that. I didn't understand (and at five who could blame me). So I called him my monkey, but I knew his name was "Funky Monkey". Anyhow, I've kept that sock monkey and still have him today. A few years after I got him I also got a Snoopy stuffed animal (the ones that you can buy clothes for). I got disco clothes for Snoopy and decided to put the pants on My Monkey (and he's still wearing those pants today).
Anyhow, that's a little monkey history lesson for you.

"Every Day, Every Year" is a Halloween tune pure and simple. I have quite a few Halloween tracks that have never been released. I supposed I should some day unleash them onto the public.

"Funky Monkey" is a lo-fi tune about, what else, My Monkey.

"Feelin' Sci-Fi" is another "Halloweenie" track. It sort of reminds me of the music I listened to when I was a kid - Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan, Wings and 70s/80s funk (I could go on and on since I am a music fiend and listened to nearly everything growing up).

"Chompo The Clown" is yet another Halloween track with the added bonus of the "chickie count count" going on.

"I Like The Breeze" finishes up the CD - a bit of a love song - another song about boats.

So what's with the boats, Mark. Well, I can try and explain it two ways. My father was in the Navy - he loved boats. I can remember spending time with him on all sorts of boats - from yachts to row boats to steam boats to destroyers. His naval years made a huge impact on him and he made a huge impact on me. It could also be due to my near drowning as a kid (I think I've nearly drown a few times). I've always had an iffinity to water, oceans, lakes and rivers.
So, now that you've learned more about the CD - me, My Monkey and boats...have a listen...

It don't cost nuthin'!

Mark Harvey

Feelin' Sci-Fi - another FREE MP3

OK kiddies here's another FREE download of one of my tracks. Here is a FREE MP3 download of Feelin' Sci-Fi (click here to download) (link disabled)taken from the Nobody Records Pumpkinland Halloween Sampler (also found on Big Top Blues). I've never quite figured out why folks associate Halloween and science fiction - martians, aliens and UFOs. Whenever I cruise around on Halloween I always wonder about the Trekkie who's used my precious holiday to space out (no offense intended for those sci-fi folks). So what the heck...I recorded a sci-fi track a while back and put it on my Halloween sampler - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Plus, some of those science geeks have the best displays - ya'll know who you are. I am realizing that I am probably offending a bunch of folks...sorry and feel free to geek out whenever, however. (not that you need my blessing!).

Enjoy the FREE track and drop me a comment. Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at HauntedCDs.com.Be sure and support Halloween Radio by purchasing CDs from us!

Thanks,

Mark Harvey (a.k.a. mopehead)

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song. (link disabled)