Photo of the day: Empty bus

On an empty top deck of the bus in the way home from work this evening.

DrGaz's Music: The Tripods v2

This is my second attempt at the theme tune for The Tripods. Although still not perfect I think it is slightly closer to Ken Freeman's original than my first attempt. I have corrected the key and tempo, and I think that I've managed to get the bassline a bit more accurate. I have also synchronised it better to the opening credits (see YouTube video below). The main problem I've been having is with the instrument sounds. I still can't get the main theme instruments to sound right - the original has more attack and also seems to have some horn sounds in there somewhere that I just can't get close to. Instead I'm pretty much having to use the default Garageband strings instrument. I am also unable to find anything similar to the gut-wrenching metallic sounds at the beginning. I quite like my version of these, but they don't have as much oomph as Ken Freemans!

Photo of the day: Donkeys

Donkeys on Mablethorpe (Lincolnshire) beach last Saturday.

Photo of the day: Haunted archway.

I visited Lincoln with some friends last weekend. On Saturday night we went on the excellent Original Lincoln Ghost Walk. Pictured is the most haunted part of Lincoln - a medieval archway that was originally the "back door" to the walled city. The Greestone Stairs are beyond the archway.

Apparently lots of people who take this shot get a mysterious black blob in the top left-hand corner of the pic by thee lamp. I resisted the temptation to photoshop on such a ghostly entity...

DrGaz's Music: There Is Only Death.

Here’s a cheery tune for you! I hope you don’t find it too depressing. I actually did it a few months ago and just got around to putting the finishing touches to it today. There Is Only Death is more of a mini audio project rather than a song because apart from the rhythm of the “heartbeat” bass drum and the bleep of the life support machine there’s no actual melody. It’s mainly sound effects and weird noises.

This is the final few minutes of terminal pain before the heart gives out and brain activity ceases. Everything goes black and that’s yer lot, mate!

I’m hoping to go completely in the opposite direction for my next tune. I’d like to make up to you for this utterly depressing song by making something so sugary and cheerful you’ll want to throw up! Something about happy, happy people, blue skies and cute furry kittens perhaps.

Sevans Daleks Adverts - NEW DALEKS (1987)

Thanks again to Outpost Gallifreyan MasseyLopez for sending this in. I believe that this is the final outstanding advert for Sevans models (if anyone knows about one I've missed, please get in touch!)

This ad introduces a redesigned range of Sevans Daleks, far simpler to assemble than previous models. The TV Dalek (pictured) also shows a further improvement - a removable head section complete with Kaled mutant and controls!

A very nice ad, I must say. Some great looking models, and I like the warehouse set. There's even a pic of the man himself!

Interestingly this advert also mentions the availability of an A2 Sevans wall-poster. I've certainly never seen this and would be interested in hearing from anyone who has a scan of it.

Source: Doctor Who Monthly, 1987 Autumn Special, rear cover.

DrGaz's 2008 Nicola Bryant calendar.

Coming soon from DrGaz!! It's the "unofficial and unauthorised" DrGaz's 2008 Nicola Bryant calendar. This is my own tribute to Nicola Bryant, the actress who played Peri again Colin Baker's and Peter Davison's Doctor. She was indeed the hottest companion the Doctor had in my opinion.

Soon to be available (hopefully in time for Crimbo) in an electronic format! Watch this space...

P.S. Sign up to my mailing list if you'd like it to be emailed to you.

DrGaz's Music: The Tripods

Contrary to the slagging off most Doctor Who fans give The Tripods, I have to say that I bloody loved the series! I recently re-watched some episodes on YouTube and was amazed to find that even after 20 years it is still gripping and the effects hold up surprisingly well.

I recently had a bash at trying to emulate Ken Freeman's magnificent theme tune using Garageband, and you can listen to it here. You can either use the above player or hear it on the video below where I've dubbed it over the title sequence:

Above: my version of the theme opening title sequence.

Aaargh it's all out of sync! The bassline's all wrong! Where did those drums come from at the end? It's ALL wrong! (But I sorta quite like it).

Well I'm not saying it's perfect and I have to admit that I did this when I didn't have an internet connection so it's completely from memory. Listening to it against the actual theme music, I know now that my instruments, tempo, key, phrasing and baseline are all wrong (well everything's wrong then).

I'm been slowly working on a more accurate version, but sadly I'm limited with the voices available on Garageband - I just CAN'T seem get the strings to sound right on my new version - they don't have enough attack and sound too relaxed. Maybe I can find a way around that somehow...

Photo of the day: Hammersmith Tube Station

Well I just happened to be in London last night and passing the tube in Hammersmith I thought I'd take this as I had my camera on me. There are a number of stations in Hammermith for different lines and this is the lovely old Victorian one that accommodates the Hammersmith & City line. I really like the style of some of these old London Underground stations have, and I thought that this one looked quite atmospheric all lit up at night.