Feb 2022 songfight fuzz indie-rock ghost-story zecoopdrums
Was a bit short on ideas today, so I started looking through the drum tracks that @zecoop provided, and came up with a slightly fuzzy bass part, then added four layers of increasingly fuzzy guitars, and two layers of fuzzy synth - all of the instruments went through the Magus Pro pedal I got for Christmas. Then I had to work out what to sing about, so I went for a look over at the Song Fight website to see if I could tie into their title. It was "Strike Me Down" with an optional challenge of "ghost story", and so here we are! A full song without ever planning more than 30 seconds ahead, haha.
Excited to have finally used a zecoop drum track (we have collaborated before, but I've never used his drums), and to have given my new pedal a proper workout!
there’s a floating shape that seems to follow me
like something from a dumb horror anthology
your suggestion leaves me rolling my eyes
it’s not a ghost, probably some kid in disguise
strike me down
what I don’t believe cannot hurt me
strike me down
and if this is the end then I’ll
come back to haunt you
every night there’s a whispering I can’t explain
and I wake up to the sound of clanking chains
it’s completely innocent, I’m pretty sure
like the variations in the temperature
you seem adamant that I should try to exorcise
I guess that I could stand to lose a little from my thighs
if that’s the best explanation you’ve got
let whatever it is come and take a shot
@mikedebenham Mar 2022
Love that little synth line hiding behind the guitars in the intro and post chorus bits. Love the guitars too, but they're just doing the solid, underappreciated work of holding the whole song together. Don't want them getting big heads.
@mosley Feb 2022
I totally love the lyrics on this one, and it’s an awesome piece musically too especially considering it was all so on the fly
@cowboydick Feb 2022
Love the melody ... great pun about exorcism, too!
@jamkar Feb 2022
Another vote for the opening splendor. By the time the chorus rolls around I am fully captured. BTW listening to this on a rain storm night is amazing!
@sailingmagpie Feb 2022
Nice tune, mate. Thought about adding some fuzz?
Love that synth sound and, I agree with other comments. Defo 90s indie vibes going on. Funny how the unplanned ones sometimes turn out to be real slices of gold.
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
A real classic here. I love the feeling of the instrumental bit and melody. Its a seperate tune in itself. And by the time i got to the second verse i was living in anticipation of that shout out loud chorus. Visions of festivals bouncing up and down. And you can't beat using a zecoop drum hook
@itneverhappened Feb 2022
The chorus is so great! Super catchy. And the fuzzy guitars. And the fuzzy synths. A euphoric feel to this, love it.
@leah0k Feb 2022
This crunchy jam intro took me right in, and the yell-chorus is so fitting. Kind of has this early Weezer vibe going on with the instrumentation and riffing... tight song!
@starfinger Feb 2022
i like this a lot
@robynmackenzie Feb 2022
Wow, this is like everything I love about early 2000s indie rock wrapped up in one fantastic song. Love the chorus. and those doubled vocals in places. One of my faves this year, good luck in the fight!
@seemanski Feb 2022
Oh man, I've totally abandoned songfight now. Good luck with your entry. Digging your distorted vocals and the pormentoed synths. Kind of reminds me of the early Idlewild stuff, mainly the guitars and the shouty bits.
@balancelost Feb 2022
I was looking for zecoop drums earlier, obviously in the wrong place! This is such a satisfying slice of synth inflected indie rock. The guitars sound chunkier and shinier than ever. That lead synth line is pure pop. Reminds me of Liquido. Remember them? The arpeggios in the verse are right up my alley too.
@rayboneor Feb 2022
I'm not sure you need to sing about anything when the guitars sound so great. That simple intro melody is great. Okay, the chorus is really really great, so I will allow the singing. Seriously, that chorus could go on forever, alternating with the instrumental bit. I love the defiance: I'll come back to haunt you!
@vegansongs Feb 2022
Phantom fuzziness. I love it all. Am I hearing a little spooky voice singing oohs in the background?
@judypie Feb 2022
It’s a hit.
For real dude, radio ready. You’re v clever!
@frenchcricket Feb 2022
This has a really great late 90s alt vibe and I’m sure the pedal is a big part of that. The shouted bits in the chorus work so well as a call and response. These slightly moody, darker songs might be my favourite Vom Vibe, yknow
@circle Feb 2022
perfect melodies in the intro - the way the lead shapes itself around the progression is beautiful. of course the levels of haze and distortion are absolutely my thing, this all sounds great. nicely faded vocals too, and beautifully doubled and mixed. I'd like to hear you do the Claire Rousay thing and pitch shift them some time! maybe not as much as in that track, but basically I want to hear someone do what I'm doing but better
@thelowestbitter Feb 2022
FUZZZZZ. That lead synth line is great, a Lytle bit Grandaddy-ish. Love the shouts of STRIKE! ME! DOWN! Love the extra synth/guitar line playing harmony with the lead synth at the end of the song. Really really like this one
@thedutchwidows Feb 2022
That’s got such a good hook and I love the way you’ve threaded it through, not over-playing it. Really cool songwriting chops. I love the sunniness of the sound for a ghost story song.
@owl Feb 2022
This is great! Love the slightly melancholy synth lead with the meaty fuzz guitars and the syncopation of the “strike! Me! Down!” hook. Sweet and catchy with clever lyrics, this is super good and I look forward to you beating me in the Songfight!
@guitarpatz83 Feb 2022
Echo what others have said - that’s a killer catchy synth riff. Love the lyrical ideas here. Musically there’s hints of Weezer, Jimmy Eat World and Death Cab at various points. Guitars sound great too
@adforperu Feb 2022
Gah, all the guitars on this sound so amazing. The whole mix does in fact. The 'strike me down' bits are such a hook, and those lead lines (guitar or synth? I'm 95% synth) are hooks themselves. I listened twice in a row which I don't do often - a real FAWM highlight this one!
@scottlake Feb 2022
I absolutely love the opening riff! I think I will be humming that for MANY days. So happy sounding amongst the angry fuzz!
@sumnersloane Feb 2022
I was going to post my "Strike Me Down" on Songfight and on FAWM, but why bother, you got me beat. Good work.
@theawkwardsleep Feb 2022
This is so good. Gets in your head. As usual it’s well composed and the vocals are great.
@dh3 Feb 2022
I LOVE this. I think I'll be singing "Strike! Me! Down!" all week. Brilliant sound.
@sorby69 Feb 2022
This is bonkers-good Vom. The kind of track I'd love to make. Very cool & credible, but with a healthy hint humour. And I love how your "Strike Me Down" is delivered sort of off-the-beat. Bloody marvellous.
@paulh1237 Feb 2022
Wall off fuzz! This was worth it for the exorcise line alone, but those synths are also notably delicious.
@spirulence Feb 2022
Very suitably "wall of sound" here with a classic Vom medley of instruments - thoroughly enjoyed this listen and felt myself getting lost in the blend for a moment - thank you for this!
@zecoop Feb 2022
What an amazing tune! Love that pedal's sound! the whole thing has a wonderful grit to it and so many cool layers. Fantastic story and just a HUGE sound. Love it!!
@loveonamixtape Feb 2022
Oh man, dude, this is right in my musical sweet spot, love that hooky synth line, the fuzz and that opening chord progression is especially delicious! The lyrics are really fun and clever, the exorcise pun is especially lol. I definitely need to make use of some zecoop drums this year!
@jimdgreen Feb 2022
Starting to get scare of doing a 4-track challenge with you. I need to up my game, your song quality and production is consistently top notch.
When I grow up I want to be Vomvorton
@cheslain Feb 2022
Great stuff! Biting fuzz going well with those great zecoop drums. Clever lyrics with an unusual take on ghost story clichés. That synth lead sounds great and the chorus is a killer.
@dugganensis Feb 2022
Oh man, this is right up my alley! Sweet '90s power pop goodness, and I'm also a sucker for ghost story songs. The synth hook is SO good. I love how it adds a harmony from the last chorus on. I love the story of how this all came together.
@francesriley Feb 2022
This ticked allll the boxes. That fuzzy, cruising groove, the backing vocals, the story - so good. Downloaded!
@shortdan Feb 2022
Yeah, this is lots of fun! The zecoop drums sounds great in the mix. There's a real band feel to this one - as if it's actual musicians in a room doing a live session for radio or summat. Digging the little synth lines - you're so good with those. Particularly keen on the chorus in this one. Good stuff again!
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
Love the opening chord progression! The drum break leading into the verses. Clever chorus. Really cool!