Williams Stuff...

Comments on Delta Nine's "A Delta Nine XMAS".

(1): Miss Berkinstock - 5.26 (Duncan / Williams) + MD. RO, GW, DW
The music goes back to Duncan's days in the band Marajade (1990 - 1992). This particular version finds us in the studio, goofing off. The lyrics, which were half-written and half-improvised, contain some of the most misogynistic bullshit ever recorded AND ARE NOT TO BE USED AS AN ENDORSEMENT FOR MALE SPECIMEN BEHAVIOUR, okay ? What the hell was I thinking ? The impersonation of genius / comedian Bobcat Goldtwaite going bonkers at the drive-thru of a Hardees restaurant (4.07 - 4.35), however, is meant as a friendly tribute and thank you for years of laughter.

(2): What's Real - 4.12 (Duncan / Williams) + MD, RO. GW, DW
Basic track recorded live in the studio with backing vocals(by Williams and Duncan) and extra guitar work (by Duncan) added later. The lyrics are radically different than the lyrics that appear on "Retrospective: Small Time Band." I have no clue as to what the words mean but they're pretty good. I remember going in to sing backing vocals with Duncan and having to write the lyrics down because I'd forgotten them. I was surprised. In a perfect world this would have been a Top 10 single.

(3): Dive - 6.31 (Duncan / Taylor / Williams) + MD, DT, GW, DW
This allows YOU, the listener / reader, a chance to peek inside the collective "creative process" and listen to how a song gets put together. This was one of the many pieces of music that we were working on when D9 broke up and, sadly, never got around to performing live. Consider this song as a rough draft. The lyrics are about a tidal wave that washes over our planet, taking everyone with it. Global extermination before the movies "Deep Impact" and "Armageddon." Also note the quick Tool reference who, besides being a great band, were a huge influence on us during this time.

(4): See You At The Mall (Version 2.0) - 7.57 (Duncan / Williams) + MD, JL, RO, GW, DW
Another rehearsal tape, live with no overdubs. The vocals on this track are pretty much inaudible. The version on "Retrospective: Small Time Band" is, in my opinion, better because of the recording quality and the shorter length (3.48). However, this particular version is also worthy of inclusion because it has a good groove and features some good guitar work from Duncan.

When Dan Taylor replaced Ron Orr on bass guitar, he brought a sense of much-needed musical confidence and creativity that had been missing. This allowed Dan, Greg, and Mark the freedom to improvise to their heart's content, resulting in some very adventurous (albiet non-vocal) music that you're reading about, listening to, or both. Duncan or Taylor would come up with the music. My job, as Vocalist and Wordsmith, would be to rummage through my notebook and try to find something that would fit. Sometimes it was hard work while other times it was incredibly effortless. The words to "Slackertown," "What's Real" (both versions) and "Helios In Cosmic Tundra" are examples of lyrics that were never finished -- they continued to change and evolve during my time with Delta 9. The lyrics, in question, are about the political apathy that has resided for years at Western Carolina University, a college that I graduated from in 1996.

(6): For Your Protection - 3.07 (Duncan / Williams) + MD, JL, RO, GW, DW
Live rehearsal, no overdubs, with Josh Lander on metallic percussion. A song for yet another reciprocable love. The burping at the beginning is courtesy of a micro - brewery in Stuttgart

(7): ObliviOnward (version 1.0) - 4.54 (Taylor, Duncan, Williams)
Another great collaboration with Taylor (who plays a bass guitar solo near the end). There's another version of this song that was originally released as a bonus track for "Patriot" by Nuclear Apathy (which was Mark, Greg, and I ) which is better suited for the FCC and FM Radio play. One of my favorites. The lyrics describe the general senseless direction of current Corporate Amerika. Yes, that's right, another live recording with no studio trickery involved.

(8): Shit Estate - 6.46 (Duncan, Williams, Walker) + MD, RO, GW, DW
It was about this time that Delta 9 was ceasing to be fun and starting to feel more like Joint Effort Mach II. Joint Effort existed between 1990 and 1993 and consisted of Ron, Josh, myself, and whoever we could con into playing bass or electric guitar. I came to the conclusion that nothing was going to change as long as Ron and his wife Laura were in the group and that the ever-increasing kowtowing to their sensibilities was ceasing any sort of thing resembling a musical evolution. Needless to say, I was really depressed. This song was written about said events and came tumbling out during an improvisation in the studio. This is the live basic track.

(9): Rainbow Flag - 3.35 (Duncan / Williams) + MD, RO, GW, DW
Because of the title, a lot of people assume that the lyrics are instantly homophobic ... and this is before they've even had the chance to listen to the words of the fucking song !!! The words ARE NOT HOMOPHOBIC, okay ? They're about Political Correctness as a form of subconscious mind control. If you can be told what to say then, it follows, you can also be told what to THINK. And you can take that any way you want. This is a shorter, more radio-friendly version than the mondo 25-minute version that appears on "Retreospective: Small Time Band." Speaking of small time bands ...

(10): Small Time Band (live) - 6.30 (Duncan / Williams) + MD, JL, DM, RO, DW, GW
This finds Delta 9 live at Bailey's (a now-defunct club), just as they were hauling out the big screen TV so that the local sports fans could have their Monday Night Football. As usual, we were background music that 98% of the people in attendance simply didn't want to hear. Hence the onstage phlegm. This song is dedicated to Donnie Morton, our alto saxophonist, who died a few years after Delta 9 broke up. It's been said about Donnie that, in his formative years, he was an awesome Jazz musician, capable of holding his own with the likes of Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman, and I don't doubt this for a second. I only wish that, when he was in Delta 9, that he could have favored us with some of his genius, talent, and creativity. It could have done wonders for some of these songs.