Everybody gets a mortgage, discusses the rate of interest.

Everybody buys three piece suites, sees going out as a special treat,

as a break from watching the TV but I really wanted to believe

that you, you were different, you could hold my interest,

that the sex might get intense but, in the end, we never had sex.

I’m happiest on my own, writing songs in my room,

putting musings on where I’m going wrong into words to sing along.

And sometimes it seems like music is my enemy

I lose myself in songs, avoid reality.

And I don’t act upon my feelings.

I don’t act upon my feelings like I ought to do.

I was feigning interest in all your favourite subjects -

the ridiculous part of this is I believed I had an interest.

It wasn’t all just pretend so that I could be your friend

but would I have become your friend if I didn’t want something at the end?

The truth is I don’t know – I don’t think I am so shallow.

I think I wanted you to say no – I write better songs when I feel low

and I know in six months time exactly where I’ll be.

In my room, writing songs, about whatever girl I met that week.

And sometimes it seems like music is my enemy

I lose myself in songs, avoid reality.

And I don’t act upon my feelings.

I don’t act upon my feelings like I ought to do.

And every time I met a girl and thought things might happen eventually

I waited, procrastinated, ’til she walked away from me.

‘Cos what if she said yes? I couldn’t write songs about loneliness.

Then what would I have left? Oh then, what would I do?

You won’t believe this to be true

but I knew it’d never work with you.

I always know I’d get hurt

but I hoped for some enjoyment first.

And I know you really aren’t to blame

I just don’t know how to play the game.

I don’t act upon my feelings

I don’t act upon my feelings.

I don’t act upon my feelings like I ought to do.

Deep inside a secret location in East London, nestled between the arches of a disused railway bridge, you can find them – [THE AWKWARDIANS] are tirelessly fashioning and fabricating precise musical components; intricately fitting them together; testing them and giving them the all clear for public consumption.

In this case the items fashioned (songs recorded) were:

Jonny: A horrific tale about a young lad that let’s temptation get the better of him, and decides to spend the money that his mother has given him (for the purpose of buying some liver from the local market) on sweets. Realising then – once the sweets have been gorged – that he now has a problem; and passing by a graveyard at the time, he spots a fresh cadaver waiting to be buried. Thinking on his feet, Jonny decides to – using the aid of his pen-knife, and the cadaver – substitute his current liver-less situation…….the consequences of which are far too horrific to tell on this blog!

Of Course I stole the train: A comical song (with extremely grave undertones) about a man that decides to steal a train. After waiting at the platform, for what seems an eternity – flanked by incredibly annoying members of the public. And on seeing that the cab of the train is empty, waiting for a changeover shift driver, the subject of our song decides to steal the train in order to get to his intended destination.

Precautionary Principle: A disco-floor slamming track about the dangers of not realising what you’re getting yourself into, when you jump head-long into a doomed relationship!

Gomorrah: This track is a definite must for any Eagles fans out there. It’s a personal favourite of mine.

Can’t make somebody love you: a stomping, 60′s twistesque, Awkwardian favourite. No need to explain what this one’s about…..the title speaks for itself!

You can buy it here or on itunes.

You can hear it and read a track-by-track preview here.

You can listen to a mix I’ve made for Audio Antihero Records here and me talking about some of the stranger albums in my music collection here.

You can read an interview with God is In the TV here and you can read a review of the EP .

To celebrate – or at least by complete coincidence that I want to pretend is somehow related – I’ve uploaded a large number of Awkward Silences rarities onto Soundcloud. There should be a bit more to come in the coming weeks:

Latest tracks by theeawkwardsilences

You can also listen to one song (Johnny) on a stream and download another (Gomorrah)

http://audioantihero.bandcamp.com/album/the-wrong-life

Featuring performances from Paul Hawkins & The Awkward Silences, Wartgore Hellsnicker, David Cronenberg’s Wife, Jack Hayter and introducing the Count of Chateau Noir.

Please do check them out – I’m sure he’d be appreciate it.

Hopefully it shouldn’t be too long now before Outsider Pop is back and up and running as normal (both in terms of the website and the nights) but in the meantime two gigs to tell you about…

First off Paul’s playing solo tonight at the 12 Bar Club in Soho. He’ll be doing some new material and some new interpretations of some older material. This will probably be the last gig he does with his solo project under his own name – the new name for the project is all but decided will be announced in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile Paul Hawkins & The Awkward Silences play the Alley Cat in Denmark St, Soho, on Saturday 12th March. It should be a great gig and we hope to see you there…

Paul