So anyone that's read all the biog's on The FAll - anyone know what the process is for MES /The FAll ?

does MES head off for a while at the start of each album process with a clean sheet and write lyrics first or does he just have a stack of stuff he always writes in and grabs from these?

Does he have the lyrics fully formed or do they go into the studio first and make the music with MES just singing noises that is then replaced later with lyrics that suit ?

Or does MES get together with just 1 or 2 nadmembers and bang out some rough demo's before heading to the studio with full band?

I'd be interested to hear if anyone knows about the process stuff. Always find it interersting no matter who the band is to see how the band/album works. And i'm sure it's unlikely the south bank show gonna do a special on MES anytime soon.

Regarding the lyric writing, does he use cut-ups or just keep note books of ideas ?

(I get the impression music comes first and then he puts in what fits with the music. )

jim watts would know, hopefully he will answer this and guide us with wisdom. Watts you the man.

Ooh, you nasty laddie. Talking of Smith's nadmembers like you done.

Seriously, though. I would like to know more about their composing process as well. Mark E. seems like a pathological writer, with notebook always in hand to me.

I'd imagine over the years most every approach has been tried.

You are probably right. I dont really want to explain too much about the process and detract from the mystery.

To be honest I dont think I could without making it sound mundane which it certainly isnt.

It just seems to happen, with Mark guiding it all with big pushes and little pushes.

I'll sure nominate Smith as rock and roll christ for the 20th-21st centuries.

Jim, you kick several different types of ass all down the block.

How much alcohol is involved in the sessions?

I have to dig it out from my archives
Yes I unhapfully forgot it
I personally interviewed Mr. Craig Scanlon and Steven Hanley over a few beers at a pub in Providence Rhode Island before a (terrible) show (with Brix on a second bass and doing some lyrics) in 1994 and I asked the two, Craig and Steve, about the song writing process and it sounded very much like other bands
where they sent Mr. Smith some tunes and he put his words over it.
However Craig did mention that MES occasionally fooled with a guitar, but I may be wrong on this.
If anyone's interested in this interview I recorded on tape, let me know.

Craig said when I talked to him I remember now that MES carries a big bundle of papers around and is always, always writing.

very cool that you got to meet craig scanlon.

i would love a copy of this interview, and if you have a copy of this show, i would love a copy of it.

That sounds a good description.

I have the tape and it's just a matter of upgrading it to whatever media is current and transmutable now (i.e. internet mp3 etc.) and also whether it's cool to publish it out, I don't know, according to The Fall.
I'm sure Steven remembers it, he seemed unhappy about the show and it did turn out badly, the show, but Craig was extremely cordial and friendly about me being an eager hippie-like radio DJ from the local university who played The Fall (nearly) every week on my radio show. I played parts of it over the air on my radio show back then in 94-95. I remember that after the Fall's show I talked to them and they just seemed cool and said, well the rest of the tour will be hit or miss, all right, they seemed unphased, even tho the show was pretty bad. It was a short set and MES was on and off and disappeared after seven songs and never came back, Dave Bush took over and it was downhill from there. Brix didn't know the words, she's nice in person though she was cool.
I recorded the soundcheck, my interview with Craig and Steve (Steve was reluctant) and some chattering with Simon and Karl Burns, I believe, but I do remember a chick from Brown university with an ARMY shirt on that may have riveted MES's attention with her big round tits right in front more than anything else. Craig and Steve figured I was mighty more interested in her than them after the show where they sat brooding over a couple of pints.

Well don't leave us in suspense... time to 'fess up after all these years - you're among friends, we won't tell... so, were they right?

are you able to put this on a cd? Or mp3? I am surprised Brix did not know the words to the songs considering she sang on most of them.

...and big slaps and bigger punches...?

Having never read a full interview with Craig, I'd love to read or hear this!!

I'm sure I'm not alone (see previous Scanlon thread)

after all scanlon is god.