Cotton Sidewalk

COTTON SIDEWALK is a rock band. If that is all you want to know, good. If your desire runs deeper, read on. This rock band is a culmination of 15 years of work. In 1998 it was humble beginnings playing covers in Year 9 talent quests with my best mate and co-founder, Davus. We wrote songs, shared ideas, wrote songs together, touched genitals, shared women, recorded demo’s... It was quite a Lemnon and McCartfney thing we had going on. In 2001, we released our debut album ‘Mass Transit Radio’. In Newcastle at the time, the thing to do was record a demo, or an EP, and go from there. But we were like, “Fuck that, let’s make a real record.” We only ever wanted to be a ‘real’ band, that made albums. Not a b-grade ‘local original band’, which in ‘the scene’ bands are often distastefully referred to as. So what if we had no record deal, no money and little experience... Many hours of casual work and personal loans later, Corey Sleap (producer/engineer) helped us realise a ‘real record’. Much of the record is comparable to a demo recording, but I feel we did capture something special. I am still proud to this day of most of the songs on that album. 2006 saw the creation of our ‘all tape and no computer’ mini-album/EP ‘Build A Preschool’. Raw and under-produced. Exactly what we wanted at the time. Davus left in 2007 to pursue his real passion of trance dubstep beat box tranny pop. He is actually collaborating with the great Juston Beaver as we speak. Left to my own devices, I continued this project. I have always felt a strong sense deep in my guts that COTTON SIDEWALK has to continue and try to make a dent in the world. A good kind of dent. From 2007 - 2009 ‘Evil Versus People’ was gradually created. I thought it would be COTTON SIDEWALK’s final countdown. Before the studio capturing process began, writing and demo-ing songs at home was amazing. I will always have those memories. It took so much out of me and the support network around me, I thought I was done. Financially, mentally, and emotionally, having the album on my mind for 2 years straight was very hard. Distracting. Exhausting. Particularly since most of the songs were written about having my heart scooped out and eaten and losing my best friend and me being a complete arsehole. I thought the world would stop and I could crawl into a hole and die once this album was finished! My perfectly gorgeous wife helped me get that record done. Marty, Renee and Mick assisted with their musical skill and financial. But it was poor Heather who met me halfway through the project a kind of took the burden on with me. I kept telling her, “I just have to finish this, and then I’m done.” She probably knew that wasn’t true. I think ‘Evil Versus People’ is a good record. One in which I hope more people find out about someday. I’m proud of it. Any how, let us live in the present and look to the bright lights of the future. Children born and mortgages accrued, making albums has literally become an uneconomical exercise. To make a decent record costs AT LEAST $15,000 and I can’t really justify spending that kind of money anymore. The songs are there, here, and hopefully will continue to flow from the fingers and brain. So at this stage, mini EP’s and singles are how it’s gonna be. Adam of the past would hate me. The ‘Do Something’ EP will be ‘released’ in June 2013. It’s the best sonic creation I’ve been a part of. I can’t wait for people to hear it. It’s a shame it couldn’t have been an album. Money-wise, this was the wisest way to go. I have the best musicians in the band right now. Michael J Sullivan, my brothers Luke and Andy and Cain Horton. COTTON SIDEWALK has always seemed to have a reputation for a good live show. In my opinion, with these band members, the live show is better than it has ever been. COTTON SIDEWALK is a project that will exist forever. A single, EP or album will be released on regular occasion until someone with significant authority demands that I stop. I hope reading this has been of benefit to you. Love Adam Proganthemelodorock.