Howdy folks,

Another week gone and seems as though we've been bitten by the writing bug. The song that was being structured as of last week, though having some settling still to do, is all but finished, lyrics and all. Look for "Fall Away" in upcoming FTHW sets. In addition, we've started work on yet another tune that is in about the same spot as "Fall Away" was last week.

Just a quick one this week as we have a million and one things on the go, but none that we are able to announce quite yet. You'll be the first to know!

And the three things that I've learned this week:

1. Roller derby is a really good time.

2. Everything moves in cycles and swings.

3. Tony should be mayor.

-Scarfo

Howdy folks,

Another week gone in the FTHW camp and another song all but in the bank. The skeleton of a song that we mentioned last week is now nearly fully formed, with only a structural question or two and lyrics remaining.

In regards to the recording process, I've been told that in Stroker's absence, Tommy has been doing some mixing on "Do It To Julia" and the final masters are getting closer and closer.

Still no real concrete news on shows for November, but as soon as we have something solid, we'll let you know. One last note on the last show, most of the songs are up on the youtube in video form (thanks, Jess!), including the first ever acoustic performance of "The Way". We played it less than 72 hours after the original conception of the idea, so we're pretty happy with how it went even with virtually no rehersal. You can see it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E_n8bXHLAY

And now, the three things that I've learned this week:

1. Weddings still make me uncomfortable and sometimes sick to my stomach.

2. Waiting is a helpless feeling.

3. Despite all evidence to the contrary, they were NOT on a pub crawl.

-Scarfo

Hey folks ...

For those who weren't there on Friday, shame on you! (We're making shame exceptions for those who were more than 100km away from Kitchener. We're good that way). Regardless, if you weren't there, you missed one hell of a show! Here are the top 5 things that you would have missed had you not been there:

5. Euro drumming two sets with two bands (FTHW/Jesse Parent)

4. Matt Weaver in a shirt and tie (Jesse Parent)

3. Tommy Hardway admonishing someone for going to the bathroom: "Hey, stick around, you're old enough to know this one." (FTHW)

2. One of the best live sets I've ever seen (SEXDWARF)

1. The acoustic debut of "The Way" (FTHW)

We genuinely want to thank everyone who came out, heyed and whoaed along, drank with us and in general turned a crowd from small to intimate. Of the shows we've played it was one of the most fun, and again thanks to SEXDWARF and Jesse and the boys. More show news for November coming very soon.

And yes, I did say "acoustic" while referring to For The Hard Way. It was an idea conceived on Tuesday night that started as a bit of a joke, but rapidly became something that we were very proud of. We are hoping to have video to post very soon, and I would love to thank Jess, Gin and Ian for doing video/photos through the night.

As for non-show news, the mixing process is moving along nicely (thanks Stroker) with the mixing and mastering now done for "Julia". Within a week or two, the whole EP should be done, or so I'm told. I know that it seems as though that's a funny thing to say, but when it comes to this sort of thing, we really put it in the hands of Stroker - In Steve we trust. Also, we've again begun the writing process and have a new song on the go. It's still very skeletal, but we're hoping by weeks end to have some sort of a structure. Even though it has only been a matter of weeks, it seems like forever since we've actually done some writing and it's exciting to get back to it. Look for new FTHW tunes in November sets.

There are a couple of new look features at www.forthehardway.com and we'd love you to check them out.

Until next week, here are the three things that I've learned:

1. Apparently, the least subtle place in the world to get into trouble is Matt Weaver's truck. Everyone is watching.

2. Craig Bickerstaffe can not bring himself to come to a show and not carry something. Thanks, Bickerstaffe, good to see you.

3. It's shockingly difficult to get large pizza orders at 4:30am in Kitchener. Jerks.

Scarfo

Howdy folks,

What a week! After what ended up seeming like a million obstacles, we are happy to announce that the lineup is set for Friday. It will be:

For The Hard Way
Sexdwarf
Jesse Parent

I can't recommend enough making it out to this one. Everyone who is involved has been friends since there were bands like Snatch, The Dirty Love and The Mercenary Saints. It should be a good one, with Euro pulling double duty, drumming for both us and Jesse's outfit.

In the recording area, the mixing process has started, though it has hit a bit of a slowdown with Stroker being in Vegas this week. He'll be back before show time, and hopefully we can start attacking that mixing in the next week or so. We're hoping that before we do the rash of shows that we are planning for November that we will have some of those tunes posted for you.

A note to any former Saints fans, if you want to check out what Deion is doing these days, he is now online at www.thevinylrevival.com. There is a new version of a familiar tune available to stream!

We aren't doing a top 5 list this week (Stroker has been in Vegas, Tommy Hardway in Owen Sound and ECB and I have been pickin' up the slack back at the hall), but check in next week for our top 5 books. Yeah, that's right, reading is cool, kids.

Just before I leave you with the 3 things that I've learned this week, I implore you once more, come out Friday, it's gonna be a fun one.

1. Mark Avery still has no balance while tying his shoes.

2. Random drinkin' at the jam hall parties with Euro are more fun than I remember.

3. Gamblor has a new favourite son. Sorry Stroker, 3 top 3 finishes in a row and I'm starting to feel responsible.

-Scarfo