The Funk Era

Album Notes

All songs written and produced by Mills & Cockburn unless otherwise stated

This collection, all part of the set during live performances, show evidence of maturing cooperation in song writing and production of the partnership. Songs are technically more complex, and recording techniques are getting as much as possible out of the equipment available in SunGod I. This set also marks the transition to SunGod II - Too Funky and What do I Know were early output of the new upgraded studio. This was a time of consolidation of style as well. Adopting a funk-rock vibe for the live set, this is also reflected in the songs recorded during this period.

Also notable is the appearance of Bella on backing vocals, reprising her live set role on a couple of songs.

All songs recorded at SunGod I and SunGod II

Agraphobia

  • Lead Guitar: Anthony Mills
  • Rhtythm Guitar: Andrew Cockburn
  • Bass: Steve Wilkinson
  • Sequencing & Mixing : Mills & Cockburn

Themed on the dangers inherent in modern life, Agrophobia started live as a bass line that Steve created. Andrew added a funky rhythm guitar treatment and collaborated with Ant in the Tune & Lyrics. Finally Ant added a lead guitar part to finish the song off. The bass is in fact sequenced in this version but stays true to Steve’s original.

Automation

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Backing Vocals: Bella Bloxham
  • Rhythm Guitar: Anthony Mills
  • Lead Guitar: Andrew Cockburn
  • Bass: Steve Wilkinson
  • Sequencing & Mixing : Mills & Cockburn

Automation is a light hearted look at the perils inherent in the advancement of technology. Originally penned in it’s entirety by Ant, Andrew added characteristic lead guitar to Ant’s driving rhythm guitar.

Automation Dance Mix

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Backing Vocals: Bella Bloxham
  • Rhythm Guitar: Anthony Mills
  • Lead Guitar: Andrew Cockburn
  • Bass: Steve Wilkinson
  • Sequencing & Mixing : Mills & Cockburn

An Anthony special - a dance style remix of Automation.

Love of my Life

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Backing Vocals: Bella Bloxham
  • Rhythm Guitar: Anthony Mills, Andrew Cockburn
  • Lead Guitar: Andrew Cockburn
  • Bass: Steve Wilkinson
  • Sequencing: Mills & Cockburn

Another song written entirely by Ant, Steve added a bass line, Andrew added some tasteful Wah and a solo at the end.

Seemingly a simple love song, the reveal at the end is that it is a song in praise of Alcohol - inspired by Strongbow Cider!

Something to Someone

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Backing Vocals: Bella Bloxham
  • Rhythm Guitar: Anthony Mills
  • Lead Guitar: Andrew Cockburn
  • Bass: Steve Wilkinson
  • Sequencing & Mixing : Mills & Cockburn

A brooding portrayal of love gone amiss, something to someone was never completed to our satisfaction in this period. A recent attempt to remix it was hampered by the fact that part of the main vocal was sadly missing frm the backup tapes, however, some patching from a later live set enabled the completion of this song in The End Game

Written by Anthony, the band members added their pieces in turn.

Too Funky

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Guitars; Anthony Mills
  • Sequencing & Mixing ; Anthony Mills

A light hearted musing on romance, A Little too Funky was a solo effort by Anthony.

Vote For Me

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Sequencing & Mixing : Anthony Mills

This version was originally recorded as a demo for the band and later developed (live version can be found in the Redditch Sessions). Vote for me speaks to the vast cynicism for politics that is endemic in today’s society.

What do I Know

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Rhythm Guitar: Anthony Mills
  • Sequencing & Mixing : Anthony Mills

Another solo effort from Anthony.

Spin

  • Main Vocal: Anthony Mills
  • Rhythm Guitar: Anthony Mills, Andrew Cockburn
  • Lead Guitar: Andrew Cockburn
  • Bass: Steve Wilkinson
  • Sequencing: Mills & Cockburn

Another much loved song that was never completed. The first version illustrates the song as originally conceived and how it was played by the band at that time - later on Bella added her backing vocals to the performance but we never completed a version featuring her.

The Late version was a work in progress, recorded around 2009, again never completed. This was a quick monitor mix to test balances and overall sound, although with far too much reverb. Next steps would have been to add guitar solos and a few vocal pickups, ahead of editing and mixing but we never got aorund to it. We will return to this song fresh one day.