As an ex-muso and DJ, I thought my days of rockin' out, layin' down some beats and droppin' tracks were well behind me. Then, last week I received a curious email from our esteemed community member, Geof. Curious, because he was now referring to himself as the “G'Phant”, and informed me that we (meaning him and I) were booked into a recording studio in a few days time. What. The. Fuck?
Of course Frank was replying to the emails in his usual manic manner with all kinds of “fucking RAD dudes” as is his wont. A further scroll revealed a set of lyrics in the rap vein, which soon had a huge grin splitting my dial. Of course I was in, you don't have to ask me twice to embarrass myself.
I rolled up to the studio on the Tricross, as G'Phant arrived in style in his flash red V8 Commodore (a Pontiac GTO kinda-thing for you Yanks), in true Lawyer-Ghetto stylez. Mike the engineer played a few drum tracks, and we picked an appropriate beat for our vocal meat. The Notorious G informed me he had arranged a female vocalist to sing (as opposed to our caterwauling and grunting) the chorus, and the bombshell soon-to-be-dubbed Newz took over the room with her outstanding pipes. We needed someone to make us sound good, and Newz certainly delivered the good news. G'Phant laid down some bass grooves on the synth, and we were starting to sound like we knew what we were doing. Or maybe that was Mike weaving his magic.
It was a blast! We couldn't stop grinning, from the brilliant interpretation of the key Rules by Geof, the passable imitations of ghetto rappers by a couple of skinny white boys (well, old men really), and the general good times that creating music brings. Beware; Frank is arranging a video shoot as we rap, I mean speak, and Merckx knows what he is capable of…
*Thanks to Mike at Trident Studios, Wellington for his time and patience, to Newz for her time and talent, and Geof for being a freakin nut and writing the awesome lyrics, booking the studio and making this happen. Loved it.
Presenting: Obey The Rules (Welly White Boy Edit) by GangstaPhant featuring BrettOK and Newz.
[audio:http://velominati.com/wp-resources/audio/Obey_The_Rules.mp3]Download: Obey the Rules
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Admittedly, when I first heard of this project I was a skeptic. Looking to aging white Aussies for good rap is like, as Marcus says, looking to Americans for cycling style. So I could say my setting low expectations is why I think this IS SO FUCKING AWESOME but that wouldn't be the case. This is just plain fun to listen to. Sounds like you guys had a blast putting it together. It's no wonder you could concentrate with Newz in the room what with her drop-dead looks and sirenesque voice. Thanks for putting a smile on my face. The video will be epic. I know Frank hasn't slept since he got the idea and is probably wondering why Tarantino hasn't replied to any of his emails yet.
I want to moved to Australia sooooo bad. I kick myself in the ass all the time that I didn't go down there when I spent two years on Okinawa in the USMC.
DOOOOOOOOOOOODS, I don't don't have speakers on my computer so I had to wait until my office mate showed up to listen to it. That is freakin' killer! I foresee world domination by the Velominati. A Velominati ProTour Team, and a Velominati IPA, and a Velominati Visa Card, and Velominati Sex Toys, and Velominati...
This is fucking brilliant. Or, as Frank might exclaim: FUCKING BRILLIANT. I can't wait to listen to it after work. Yo, G'Phant I like the way you make The Sign, man...all casual and like. The lyrics...inspired. I am in awe. What a great fucking idea that opens up all kinds of wonder in the realm of possibilities...I humbly bow down.
@Cyclops The Velominati MasterCard -- Red 3M Electrical Tape: $2.00, Baxter's Super Close Shave Formula: $16.00, 2010 Zipp 404 Carbon Clincher Wheelset: $2700...Observing The V: PRICELESS
I am so glad you guys posted these pics. This is really something else. You guys seemed to really have a blast, and applying Rule 37 to the cans, I am humbled by your dedication to The Order. Wow.
I have to ask: is there a law on that side of the world that prevents males from having hair?
Thanks for giving this to us, guys, this is truly a hoot. I listened to this about 90 times.
@KitCarson
++1
@G'phant, @Brett
The little details like the phrases being called out during the chorus are just awesome.
Who can get them all? There are some gems in there.
And whoever is saying the big race names and climbs at the end, your pronunciation is excellent. Well done.
If you move to Australia, you won't be able to hang in da hood wiv da bros... G'Phant and OK live in NZ. I'm an Aussie, but moved to Wellington almost 4 years ago (for 3 months mind you, but it is riding heaven and I'm still here). Every time I go back to Aus, I realise that NZ is the place to be.
@frank
Geof recorded the end bits, my idea, I had to bail by then... I so wanted to go back later and do them too, in fact I would've loved 3 days in there tweakin around!
NZ is all the better.