We’re right now sat in a recording studio inside of the old steel factory where 65HQ is based, doing a couple of days of demo-ing some more new material.

The actual recording sessions begin in about 6 weeks. We hope to have a new album for you in the first third of 2007. Further details on this are still mostly secrets. Kept even from ourselves.

We are so wrapped up in this album-writing indulgence we have failed on two counts of trying to be useful toward a couple of matters close to home.

One involves old power-station cooling towers in Sheffield which were previously going to be turned into works of art – now set to be destroyed by their owners, a huge energy company named EON who, as is the way with these psychopathic corporations, are legally bound to put shareholder profit above any other concern. A fierce and wonderful Sheffield fanzine, referred to by the moniker Go Sheffo are leading the fight to save the towers. We know the majority of you people reading this won’t be from around here, but if you feel compelled to take sides in this latest incarnation of David Vs. Goliath, then check out petitions/more details right here.

The other lapse concerns a small bookshop and independent (obscure) record store which is facing closure through lack of custom and increases in rent. It sits in the heart of Sheffield’s alternative culture, right along the road from Starbucks and Pizza Express. Again, you’re probably not from around here, but I suspect you’re familiar with the situation. There’s various plans afoot to try and organise some kind of benefit show, which 65 have shamefully had so far no involvement with. But. If you +are+ in the area, you could keep an eye out here…

Essentially though, there is nothing to report except monumental stretches of writing time. We think we have a violinist onboard and there is the possibility of using one of the country’s finest purveyors of downbeat electronica to play some clarinet for us. Which is odd, but immensely reassuring.

The last UK dates of the year are coming up this weekend:

28th October: Sheffield, Fuzz Club (University). All-dayer, so tickets are a bit more than usual…
29th October: Manchester, MTwo. Part of the In The City (annual music conference full of money and despair). It’s Free Entry though! Wicked…

We’re back in Japan next month for half-a-big-fist-full (or a large pinch) of shows:

20th November: Tokyo, Liquid Rooms
21st November: Osaka, Club Quattro
22nd November: Tokyo, Unit.

Tickets are selling fast! Wow… Pretty soon we’re gonna be as famous as Razorlight, who are the best band of all time.

When we get in the studio proper we’ll try and keep you posted daily, even though that will most likely be horrifically uninteresting to people who are not us.

Finally, the 65 sweatshop has been looking pretty sparse of late. Most of the t-shirt designs have gone. When Lord Bunn (slave-driver) has a spare minute, he will be going through the loose bits and pieces remaining, getting a comprehensive list of what we have left and then most likely selling stuff really cheap. New designs will be coming with the new look, new styles, and self-harming/self-serving extravaganza that is My Chemical 65 2007. In the shops and all over your mobile phone early Spring!!

Actually, the first minute and a half of that Black Parade song is pretty good, no?
Or no.
Simon?
“I don’t know”.
Why not?
“I haven’t heard it. This isn’t going to be very funny” (laughs). “Is it any good?”
The first minute and a half is.
“Paul, I’m not so sure”.
Cool.

Right now Joe is overdubbing his guitar while Rob is nodding his head in 7/8, 8/8, 7/8, 7/6 time and making lists.
We have the best job in the world.
Oh… Joe messed up. He’s going to do it again.